New GCDD leaders advocate from communities across Georgia
New GCDD leaders advocate from communities across Georgia
"As Governor Deal's nine new appointments came aboard this year, we took the opportunity to renew our commitment to our purpose and values and select new leadership," GCDD executive director Eric E. Jacobson, , said. Our executive committee members are experienced advocates from communities all across Georgia so people with disabilities will be well served by this group. I'm looking forward to continued excellence and exciting new ideas being generated over the coming years."
Meet Our Executive Committee:
Mitzi Proffitt is the South Georgia manager for Parent to Parent of Georgia. She previously served on the Family Support Board in West Virginia and chairs the Three Rivers Transition Council. She is a graduate of Partners in Policy Making and has assisted families of children with disabilities for more than 10 years. Proffitt and her husband, Jack, have one son and reside in Brooklet, southeast of Statesboro.
Tom Connelly, the GCDD vice chair is a rehabilitation employment specialist for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. He serves on the board of the Albany Area Rehabilitation Center and is a member of Georgia Rehabilitation Association. Connelly earned a bachelor's degree from Belmont Abbey College and a master's degree from Fort Valley State University. He lives in Albany.
Josette Akhras is a substitute teacher and advocate for children and adults with disabilities. She piloted a support group in Putnam County to help parents and those with disabilities become effective advocates. She and her husband, Omar, have two sons and reside in Eatonton.
Geneice McCoy is the broker and owner of Real McCoy Brokerage Co. She serves as chair of Georgia's Region 2 Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases Planning Board and is also a 2003 graduate of Partners in Policymaking in Georgia. She and her husband, Andrew, have three children and reside in Augusta.
Lisa Newbern is Chief of Public Affairs for the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University and a 2012 graduate of Leadership DeKalb. She is very involved in the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, including serving as a parent liaison and coordinator of the DeKalb County and surrounding areas support group. She and her husband have two children and reside in Atlanta.
See council members photos on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/georgiaddcouncil.
"This is a knowledgeable, caring and passionate group," Proffitt, the newly elected council chair, said. "It's an honor to chair this organization which is at the forefront of social and policy change for people with disabilities in Georgia and beyond."
