Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments.  Brief biographies are provided below:

GeorgiaCommission for Service and Volunteerism

Deborah D. Silcox, 47, Atlanta − Silcox works as a community volunteer and charity fundraiser.  She is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia and previously practiced for the law firm of Parker, Johnson, Cook and Dunlevie.  Deborah also worked for former Insurance Commissioner Robert P. Constantine, Jr. She is a member of the executive committee of the Chastain Park Conservancy and served on the board of Georgia’s Department of Human Resources. Silcox earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Emory University. She and her husband, Hal, have two children.

Vickie H. Williamson, 48, Monroe − Williamson works with a variety of organizations including the Cub Scouts and the Boys and Girls Club of America. She served on the Children and Youth Coordinating Council, the boards of the McDaniel Tichenor House and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. She received the Leadership Georgia Frederick B. Kerr award in 2010. Williamson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Bruce, have four children.

Georgia Composite Medical Board

Dudley “Benjie” Christie, III, M.D., 35, Macon − Christie is an assistant professor of surgery at Mercer University School of Medicine and the Medical Center of Central Georgia. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Southeastern Surgical Society, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Christie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. He and his wife, Amy, have two children.

GeorgiaStateBoard of Architects and Interior Designers

Cynthia Trimble Kelly, 52, Blue Ridge, Interior Designer Representative − Kelly is owner and president of the interior design company, Trimble Kelly Studios. She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development. Kelly earned bachelors' degrees Emory University and the Rhode Island School of Design. She has one child.

Governor’s Office for Children and Families Advisory Board

Michelle R. Girtman, 38, Hazlehurst − Girtman is the executive director of The Haven Battered Women’s Shelter, Inc. and the Magnolia House Shelter for Abused Persons. She is the chairperson for the Department of Human Services Domestic Violence Advisory Board and is a member of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. She also serves on the FEMA board for Lowndes County. She and her husband, John, have four children and are custodial parents to three children.

State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Brian K. Upson, 51, Griffin, Engineer Representative − Upson is the owner and president of Paragon Consulting Group, Inc. He is a member of the Griffin Hospital Authority and the American Council of Engineering Companies. He serves on the Piedmont Region Board of Georgia Banking Company and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Georgia. Upson earned a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Tracee, have two children.

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