Niles names new DJJ assistant commissioner

ATLANTA (AP) The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice has chosen a new assistant commissioner.

Commissioner Avery Niles on Monday named J. Mark Sexton of Lawrenceville as assistant commissioner, which is the top executive staff spot at the department's central office.

Sexton comes to the department from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he was a consulting contractor. He was responsible for making sure all aspects of a CDC exercise scenario complied with Department of Homeland Security guidelines and for coordinating with other agencies.

Niles says Sexton's leadership experience will help reorganize the department to develop its strengths and address its weaknesses. Niles says he believes the restructured agency will be safer, more secure, more productive and more efficient.