Atlanta, GA - Today Governor Brian P. Kemp conducted swearing-in ceremonies for eleven (11) appointments to boards, commissions, and related state entities.

Georgia Board of Dentistry

Dr. Ami Patel owns and practices dentistry for Fairview Dental LLC in Ellenwood. Patel has been practicing dentistry since 2015, and she lives in Atlanta with her husband, Ben.

Dr. Michael Knight is a senior dentist and CEO of American Dental of Georgia. Knight graduated from Emory University with a doctorate in dentistry in 1988. His many responsibilities include performing advanced dental procedures and supervising senior and junior dentists along with hygienists and dental assistants. Knight and his wife, Dawn, have three children, Michael, Thomas and Annie. They live in Eastman.

Georgia Board for Physician Workforce

Dr. James Barber is the owner of Southeastern Orthopaedics where he also practices medicine. He and his wife, Jessica, live in Douglas with their children, Emma, Amelia, and Clara.

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

Kristin Morrissey is Chair of the Forsyth County School Board of Education. In 2004, Morrissey and her family moved to South Forsyth from Rochester, New York. Morrissey previously worked in corporate training at Eastman Kodak and retired from the Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System after sixteen years of service as an automation specialist and trainer. Morrissey and her husband, Joe, have two daughters and reside in Cumming.

Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists

Lorien Jordan is an Assistant Professor with the Mercer University, School of Medicine, Family Therapy Program. Jordan and her husband, Stephen, live in Atlanta.

Chip Morris is CEO of A Strong Hand Up, LLC, a judicial education company, and he has managed a private counseling center serving seniors, adults, and adolescents for over twenty-five years. Morris currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work. He has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1996. He and his wife, Candace, live in Monroe.

Bonita Barker was reappointed to serve on the Georgia Composite Board.

Georgia State Board of Psychology Examiners

Emily Burton is a clinical psychologist and serves as the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Mental Health Lead for North Florida and South Georgia with the Valdosta Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. She and her husband, Tarn, live in Valdosta.

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Will Wade is a life-long resident of Dawson County. Wade has spent his entire career as a community banker with a focus on real estate, executive management, and commercial lending. He is married to Dr. Jennifer Sheffield-Wade, a career educator, and they have two children. They are active members of Mill Creek Baptist Church.

State Board of Dispensing Opticians

Amy Stowers is Manager of the University of Georgia Health Center’s Vision Clinic. Stowers has been a licensed dispensing optician since 1998. She and her husband, Kevin, have two children, Breanna and Owen, and they live in Gainesville.

State Rehabilitation Council

Kate D. Brady has worked in the field of disability policy, service, and systems advocacy for nearly two decades. Brady is Deputy Director for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities with extensive experience in vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid, Social Security, and workforce development. She lives in Hapeville with her spouse, Dr. Michelle Ramsey.

Contact Information:

Cody Hall, Press Secretary [email protected]