Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced today he has appointed former state representative and longtime House Appropriations Chairman Terry England as his Chief of Staff. England will succeed Spiro Amburn who is retiring from state government after a distinguished career. 

“We are fortunate to be welcoming Terry England back to the House as Chief of Staff,” said Speaker Burns. “Terry is a trusted leader who has earned the respect of both the members of the House and our staff, and I know he will continue to be an invaluable counselor in this new role.”

A native of Barrow County, England represented his neighbors as a state representative from 2005 until his retirement earlier this year. He served as one of the House’s most influential leaders as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee over the last twelve years of his tenure. A farmer and small business owner, England has a passion for agriculture – Georgia’s number one industry – and is a longtime supporter of youth leadership organizations like FFA and 4-H. He and his beloved wife, Cindy, reside on their family farm near Auburn, Ga.

“Speaker Burns and I have been close friends for many years, and I am proud to stand by his side as he continues to lead the House of Representatives and provides a clear, positive vision for Georgia’s future,” said Terry England. “Stewardship is what originally led me to seek public office many years ago, and it is that call to service that brings me back. I am excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to continue serving my fellow Georgians.”

“Spiro Amburn has been my friend for nearly 20 years,” added England. “He has set a high standard in the Chief of Staff’s role that will be hard to live up to, and I am keeping his phone number!”

“Spiro Amburn has admirably served the citizens of our state for decades, and we are grateful for his example of servant-leadership,” said Speaker Burns. “He has been a trusted advisor to Speaker Ralston, Speaker Jones and me throughout his tenure as Chief of Staff. Moreover, he has worked day after day to provide assistance to all the members of the House and leadership to our staff members. He is a dear friend and will always be a member of our House family.”

An experienced administrator and proven leader in state government, Amburn served as Chief of Staff for the last 14 years. He was first appointed by Speaker David Ralston and continued to serve in that capacity under Speaker Jan Jones and Speaker Jon Burns. In that role, he has served as the principal advisor to the Speaker of the House and supervised the House’s staff and its $24 million operating budget. After retiring from state government, Amburn will take a position in the private sector which will be announced in the near future.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have served in this position, and I am grateful to have been entrusted with this tremendous opportunity to work with the staff and members of the Georgia House of Representatives,” said Spiro Amburn. “I have been fortunate to serve great leaders – and my mentor, Speaker David Ralston, deserves special mention in this regard. He showed me what it meant to put others first, and I am still humbled that he appointed me as his only Chief of Staff throughout his thirteen years of service as Speaker of the House. I am also honored by the opportunity to serve under a new leadership team during this time of transition. I know the House is in capable hands under Speaker Burns and with Terry England succeeding me as Chief of Staff.”

England will begin service on August 1 and officially succeed Amburn when he retires on September 1, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership for the Speaker’s Office.