Governor Brian P. Kemp conducted swearing-in ceremonies for six executive appointees at the Georgia State Capitol.

“It is an honor to formally appoint these individuals to work in my administration. Together, we will focus on providing common-sense solutions to state government,” stated Governor Kemp. “These hardworking Georgians have the experience and integrity to ensure that our state keeps moving in the right direction.”

Rachel H. Davidson – Director, Office of the Child Advocate

Previously, Rachel H. Davidson served as the Interim Director and Deputy Director of the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). Davidson holds years of experience working as a child welfare attorney in various capacities across Georgia. Davidson earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida, master’s degree in Business Administration, and law degree from Stetson University. She and her husband, Patrick, have two children and live in Dunwoody.

Allen Poole - Director, Governor's Office of Highway Safety

Allen Poole most recently served as the Chairman of the Haralson County Board of Commissioners. He is the former Chairman of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, a former Georgia state trooper, and small businessman. Poole is a native of Haralson County where he resides with his wife, Mandy, and son, Blake.

Tom C. Rawlings, Division Director – Division of Family and Children Services

Previously, Tom C. Rawlings served as Interim Director of the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), which supports the efforts of over 8,000 employees who protect Georgia’s most vulnerable children and assist the state’s struggling families. An honors graduate of both Duke University and the University of Georgia School of Law, he earned his master’s degree from Oxford University with distinction in International Human Rights Law. He and his wife, Kay, have three sons and live in Atlanta.

Vic Reynolds – Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation

A former police officer, chief magistrate judge, prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney, Vic Reynolds was elected District Attorney for Cobb County in 2012. Vic, a native of Rome, Georgia, is married to his wife of over thirty years, Holly. The couple has two daughters.

Kirk Shook - Director, Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

Kirk Shook is a Georgia educator with over a decade of experience in the classroom. In 2014, he was chosen by the State Board of Education to work on the Statewide Social Studies Resource Committee. In 2015, he served as a member of the Working Committee that revised the state academic standards in Economics. Shook was one of three finalists for Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year in 2016. Kirk and his wife, Miriam, live in Athens with their dogs, Lucy and Libby.

Timothy C. Ward – Commissioner, Georgia Department of Corrections

Previously, Timothy C. Ward served as the Interim Commissioner and Chief of Staff for the Georgia Department of Corrections. Ward holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. Currently, Ward serves on the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council as one of twenty-eight commissioners nationally on the American Correctional Association for the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Ward and his wife have three children. He is a native of Dawson, Georgia and resides in Milledgeville.