After four decades of service as a prosecutor, judge, state senator and U.S. congressman, Nathan Deal took office as governor in January 2011.
Aiming to position Georgia as the country's leader for business, Governor Deal has launched the Competitiveness Initiative, pushed tax code reform and recruited businesses from all sectors to spur job growth. In his first term, he's also encouraged innovation in school systems, worked to shore up funding for the HOPE and Medicaid programs, and supported reform in the criminal justice system that promises both cost savings and better care for inmates.
In 2006, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle took office after serving more than a decade as a state senator.
A successful businessman, Lt. Governor Cagle promotes economic development, supports innovation in transportation and calls for meaningful reduction in government spending. He also works to promote technical education, spread awareness about childhood obesity, and encourage healthcare reform that both supports market-based solutions and provides a safety net for those in need.
Photo Courtesy Georgia Senate Press Office
The House of Representatives consists of 180 members from regions around the state. Each January the House convenes to set an annual operating budget, amend the prior year's budget and craft laws to address issues ranging from education reform to transportation investment.
Each January, 56 senators meet to set an annual operating budget, amend the current year's budget and craft laws that range from promoting business to keeping health care spending in check.
A former Chairman of both the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and Atlanta Regional Commission, Sam Olens accepted office as the Attorney General in January 2011.
Among his key issues are supporting government transparency, addressing prescription drug abuse, securing water rights for Georgians and curbing incidence of human trafficking, particularly child sex trafficking, across the state.
A former state legislator, Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp took office in January 2010.
In the Georgia Senate, Secretary of State Kemp worked to cut wasteful spending and streamline government, support small businesses and promote education. As Secretary of State, he's continued to encourage business by cutting red tape that hampers job growth and economic recovery.
A former high school English teacher, middle school Spanish teacher, assistant principal and principal, State School Superintendent John Barge took office in January 2011.
Before accepting a position at the Department of Education as the State Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, he earned recognition as a STAR teacher and Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year.
After serving more than two decades as the president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Commissioner Gary W. Black accepted office in January 2011.
He champions food safety, science-based environmental stewardship and, through Georgia Grown, the local agriculture movement.
A former state representative and senator, Ralph Hudgens took office as the state's Insurance & Safety Fire Commissioner in January 2011. In this capacity, he regulates some 1,600 insurance companies, licenses more than 130,000 insurance agents and oversees the state arson unit.
A former legislator in the State House of Representatives, Commissioner Mark Butler took office in January 2011.
Aiming for a full-hire economy, he focuses on helping job seekers apply for and receive umemployment benefits and forges partnership with private industry to connect those job seekers with employers.
A former state representative, Commissioner Doug Everett took office in January 2003. He represents PSC District 1, the southern portion of the state that stretches from Macon to Savannah.
Read his views on utilities and energy innovation.
A veteran of non-profit work who focuses on consumer protection and accountability, Commissioner Tim Echols took office in January 2011. He represents PSC District 2, which covers the eastern central portion of the state running from Gwinnett to Screven counties.
He works to promote clean energy initiatives and speaks the importance of safe disposal of nuclear waste. Read his views on utilities and energy innovation.
Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton took office in January 2007. He represents PSC District 3, the metro Atlanta area.
To gain a better understanding of the judicial issues he faces at the commission, Commissioner Eaton began attending classes at Georgia State Law School in 2009 and studies nights as he works toward his degree.
Read his views on utilities and energy innovation.
A former state representative and re-elected member of the commission, Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. represents PSC District 4, which ranges across the north Georgia mountains to the north Georgia coast.
Read his views on utilities and energy innovation.
A former Cobb County Commissioner, Commissioner Stan Wise has served continuously since he first took office in January 1995. He represents PSC District 5, the west central portion of the state that includes Cobb, Douglas and Carroll counties.
He's served on the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Advisory Board.