Perdue Appoints Joy Hawkins to Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Joy Hawkins to Deputy Chief Operating Officer. Hawkins will work closely with Chief Operating Officer Jim Lientz to create a customer friendly, people-oriented state government through the leadership, management, and supervision of state departments, agencies, and their respective boards and commissions.

"Joy has been a dependable and consistent advisor on a range of important issues, especially in the areas of ethics, children, and technology," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "She will be an excellent addition to our management team as we continue to transform state government to better serve the people of Georgia."

Hawkins has served as a policy advisor to Governor Perdue since November 2002 handling general government matters including ethics, prisons, technology, and children's issues. Prior to joining Governor Perdue's staff, she worked as a project coordinator for the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

Hawkins began her public sector career in 1989 as a policy analyst in the Senate Research Office and later served as Director of Senate Research from 1990 to1995. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and a school council member at the Nancy Creek Theme School. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from Georgia State University. Hawkins has two children and is active in the Chamblee United Methodist Church.