Former Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden is now Georgia's secretary of state.
Crittenden was sworn in Thursday afternoon and will fill the vacancy left by Thursday morning's resignation of Brian Kemp; Critteden will serve the remainder of Kemp’s term. Kemp stepped down as he prepares to make the transition to the Governor's office, even as his election is being challenged by Democrat Stacey Abrams.
"Robyn’s experience as an attorney, public servant and agency head make her exceptionally qualified to fill the role of Georgia’s secretary of state,” said Gov. Nathan Deal, who administered the oath of office. “She is a leader with brilliant intellect, high integrity, and a wide range of experience in public service. Robyn has been one of the most effective leaders within my administration and she is well-qualified to fill one of the most important jobs in state government. I appreciate her willingness to fill this role and I thank Gov.-elect Kemp for his leadership as secretary of state.”
Crittenden is the first African-American woman to serve as a statewide constitutional officer in Georgia history. In 2015, Deal appointed Crittenden to be DHS commissioner after she served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Crittenden’s experience includes working as general counsel at Morehouse College and as the assistant vice chancellor of Legal Affairs-Contracts for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. She was also an assistant county attorney in DeKalb County and an associate at the law firm of Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy. Crittenden earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Michigan School of Law. She has one child and lives in Tucker.
Following Crittenden’s swearing-in ceremony, Deal nominated Gerlda B. Hines, chief of staff and chief financial officer of DHS, to be the interim DHS commissioner, pending board approval. Morehouse College and as the assistant vice chancellor of
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/11/732933/crittenden-takes-oath-as-georgia-secretary-of-state