Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments.

Joint Juvenile Code Rewrite Commission

Russell S. Abernathy, 59, Locust Grove , GA - Abernathy serves as the chief of police for Henry County .  He recently retired from a 30-year law enforcement career with the Georgia State Patrol.  He is a member of the Georgia Association of Police Chiefs, the International Association of State Troopers, and the Georgia Police Officers Association.  Abernathy attended Georgia State University and the Georgia State Trooper Academy .  He and his wife, Chryl, have two children.

Elizabeth G. Lindsey, 44, Atlanta , GA - Lindsey is currently a shareholder in the law firm of Davis, Matthews & Quigley, P.C., practicing exclusively in the area of family law.  She is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has served as chair of the Family Law Section of the Georgia State Bar.  She is a member of the Georgia Board of Juvenile Justice. Lindsey earned her bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .  Lindsey and her husband, Edward, have three children.

Mark T. McClure, 40, Dahlonega , GA - McClure is the sheriff of Lumpkin County . He spent the past eighteen years serving in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  McClure is a member of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association.  He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from North Georgia College and State University .  McClure and his wife, Lisa, have three children.

Edwin A. Risler, PhD, 51, Athens , GA - Risler is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia .  He is a licensed practitioner in clinical social work and marriage and family therapy.  He has over 20 years experience working for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Risler serves as treasurer of the Georgia Division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, board president of the Athens-Clarke County Family Connection and a member of the Georgia Board of Juvenile Justice. He earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctorate in social work from the University of Georgia .  Risler and his wife, Susan, have two children.