David J. Herring was elected Tuesday to serve as Chair of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for Fiscal Year 2025 which begins July 1st.
Steve Hayes, director of communications with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles said Meg Heap will serve as Vice Chair, They were both elected by the Board at Tuesday's monthly operational meeting.
“Thank you for this opportunity. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I appreciate the position that I am being given. I can promise you this, like I've always done, I will serve this board with hard work and integrity whether I’m the chairman or not. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity, and thank you very much,” Herring said.
Herring served as Vice Chair for FY 2024.
Herring gave thanks to current Chairman Terry Barnard for his leadership and the staff for their work.
“You’ve done an outstanding job and we appreciate your leadership,” Herring said. “To the staff, thank you for what you do every day. Because you’re the ones who make this board work. This board does not make this agency, you guys make this agency with the hard work you do every day. Thank you very much.”
Herring has previously served as a state trooper with the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
He also served as a Lt. Colonel managing security for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.
Herring was appointed to the Parole Board in 2018.
Meg Heap is the former District Attorney in Savannah. She was appointed to the Parole Board in 2021.
“I’m excited to work with everyone. Everything that you all do, I realize it. We realize it. It’s just hard work and I see it. I am very grateful to work for this agency,” Heap said.
Other members of the parole board include Terry Barnard, Joyette Holmes and Wayne Bennett.
The Governor appoints members to the Parole Board to seven-year staggered terms. The State Senate confirms the appointment. Members are full-time state employees.
