MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments. Brief biographies are provided below:

Georgia Board of Nursing

Dawn H. Taylor, 41, Lawrenceville, Consumer Member – Taylor is a sole practitioner at her law firm, Dawn H. Taylor, LLC. Before entering the private sector, she served as deputy chief assistant district attorney for Gwinnett County where she supervised twelve attorneys in four trial divisions. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. She and her husband, Jim, have two children.

Georgia Composite Medical Board

David W. Retterbush, M.D., 57, Valdosta – Retterbush is a private practice general surgeon in Valdosta and is on active staff at South Georgia Medical Center, where he previously served as chief of staff and chairman of the Department of Surgery. He is a fellow with the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the Southeastern Surgical Congress. Retterbush is a charter member of the American Society of General Surgeons and the Georgia Society of General Surgeons. Retterbush earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University and a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He and his wife, Denise, have three children.

Professional Standards Commission

Marci G. Cawthon, 48, Perry, Administrator Representative – Cawthon is the assistant principal of instruction at Bonaire Middle School. Before beginning her administrative career, she taught at Perry Middle School for twelve years. Cawthon earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree from Georgia Southwestern State University, and an education specialist degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Deen, have two children.

Penny L. Elkins, 41, Conyers, Teacher Education Faculty Representative – Elkins is senior associate vice president – Atlanta Campus and the Regional Academic Centers of Mercer University. She also serves as associate dean, Fred L. Miles Chair of Educational Leadership, and professor of education in the Tift College of Education at Mercer University. Elkins earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Mercer University, an education specialist degree from Georgia College & State University, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University. She is married to Jason Elkins.

David W. Johnson, 57, Silver Creek, Local School Board Representative – Johnson is president of United Community Bank in Rome. He serves on the Floyd County Board of Education and is vice president of the Georgia School Board Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Hospital Authority of Floyd County, Floyd Medical Resource Board and is secretary/treasurer of the Development Authority of Floyd County. Johnson earned an associate’s degree from Floyd Junior College, and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Berry College. He and his wife, Cathy, have two children and one grandchild.