News Release

FOR RELEASE: 9/15/2012

CONTACT: Saralyn Stafford  404.679.3166

TeamGeorgia Managers Expand Regions

statewide -

Commissioner Mike Beatty Announces Changes for TeamGeorgia

Atlanta, GA

Commissioner Mike Beatty, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, has named five TeamGeorgia Captains who will be his representatives in the field, effective September 17^th, enhancing the lines of communication between the headquarters office in Atlanta and all other areas in Georgia.

Led by Corinne Thornton, Office Director for Regional Services and Executive Director for the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, the five members of this team are:

                Leamon Scott, covering NW Georgia (service delivery regions 1, 3 and 4)

                Kathy Papa, covering NE Georgia (service delivery regions 2 and 5)

                Tina Hutcheson, covering East Georgia (service delivery regions 7, 9 and 12)

                Jo Childers, covering West Georgia (service delivery regions 8 and 10)

                Lynn Ashcraft, covering Central South Georgia (service delivery regions 6 and 11)

Commissioner Beatty, in making this announcement, stated, “This team is my eyes and ears in the state, and will help us know the areas of greatest need in our communities, suggesting policy changes to help us serve our constituents better and bring more value for the taxpayers of Georgia.”  Among their major duties are regular interactions with Regional Commissions, local governments, state legislators, downtown professionals, chambers of commerce and development authorities.  In addition, they’ll assist the Department with major program initiatives such as Boomtown, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, HomeSafe Georgia and other programs.

TeamGeorgia is a DCA approach that builds better teamwork internally and externally by partnering with other state and regional organizations to assist communities with particular development needs.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses. DCA does this through its three core functions: community and economic development; local government assistance; and safe and affordable housing. Community and economic development programs include a variety of resources and incentives designed to help communities spur private sector investment and  job creation, and to help them meet their development goals. Local government assistance programs include planning, research, rural development, downtown development, volunteerism, building codes, and solid waste reduction. Housing programs include special financing for first-time homebuyers, development resources and rental assistance to benefit low and moderate income Georgia families and seniors, and homelessness prevention. For more information, please visit the DCA website at www.dca.ga.gov.    #####