Governor Announces Appointments to Governor’s Office of Children and Families Advisory Board

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following appointments to the Governor’s Office for Children and Families Advisory Board. The Governor’s Office for Children and Families was created by HB 1054 and combines the Children’s Trust Fund Commission (CTF) with the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC).

Brief biographies are provided below:

Governor’s Office for Children and Families Advisory Board

Andrew “Andy” B. Barclay, Atlanta – Barclay and his wife, Michelle, are founders of the Barton Clinic, a partnership program with Emory University School of Law that strives to encourage students from all fields to pursue public-interest careers. He also co-founded Fostering Court Improvement, a non-profit that works with juvenile courts to measure and improve outcomes for children and families. He also works as a full-time volunteer technical consultant to many of Georgia’s non-profit and governmental agencies. Barclay earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, master’s degrees from Stanford University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is pursuing a doctoral degree from Emory University. The Barclays have one child.

John C. Bowden, Forsyth – Bowden is currently an administrative assistance for ERA Connie R. Ham Middle Georgia Realty. He was a SAT Scholar Student, the founder and past president of Interact and served as projects chairman of Future Teachers of America at Mary Persons High School. Bowden was a member of the National Beta Club and was named in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He was a member of the board of directors for the Monroe County Relay for Life and served on the Georgia Department of Education’s Student Advisory Council. Bowden is an honor graduate of Mary Persons High School and will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Barbara J. Bunn, Conyers – Bunn previously served six terms as a state representative in the Georgia House of Representatives and served as a classroom teacher in Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. She was a charter board member of Prevent Child Abuse Rockdale and served as a board member for the Rockdale Coalition of Children and Families and the South Rockdale Civic Association. She is past president of Rockdale Kiwanis and Rockdale Retired Teachers. Bunn earned a bachelor’s degree from Emporia Kansas State University. She and her husband, William, have two children.

Kenneth “Ken” M. Dobbs, D.Min., Greenville – Dobbs currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. He previously served as assistant executive director of the Georgia Baptist Foundation and has been a pastor of several churches. Dobbs is past president of the Southern Baptist Child Care Executives of the Southern Baptist Convention and is the former chairman of the Endowment Committee for the Georgia Baptist Convention. He is the 2001 recipient of Mercer University’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. Dobbs earned a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary and a doctoral degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and five grandchildren.

Timothy “Tim” G. Echols, Winterville – Echols is the founder, president and chief executive officer of TeenPact Youth Leadership School, which trains young people in an understanding of government and politics using student staff in 39 states. He is a co-founder of the Governor’s Youth Leadership Summit and served as chief executive officer of Family Concerns, Inc. Echols earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Windy, have seven children.

Nkemdailem “Kem” U. Ezeoke, Stone Mountain – Ezeoke was a counselor for Camp Imagination in Decatur and an advocate for the Department of Juvenile Justice. She was color guard commander of Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and was a member of the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society. Ezeoke served as her 12th grade class parliamentarian and a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. She was named in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and volunteers with DeKalb County C.A.S.A. and Hands on Atlanta. Ezeoke is an honor role graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School and will attend Xavier University of Louisiana in the fall.

Carolyn “Carol” B. Hanna, Warner Robins – Hanna is an independent contractor of the National Children’s Alliance. She is the former executive director of Rainbow House Children’s Resource Center. She is a member of the Houston County Exchange Club and a supporting member of the National Children’s Alliance. Hanna earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from Georgia College and State University. She is married to Mark Hanna and has two stepsons and two step grandchildren.

Marquis L. Harris, Macon – Harris is a U.S. government & politics and economics teacher at Central High School in Macon. He is a member of Mabel White Church, where he sings in the choir and works in the youth program. He is a former foster child and ward of the state. Harris previously served as a congressional intern for then-U.S. Representative Saxby Chambliss and was named International Poet of Merit through the International Society of Poets. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree from Asbury College.

Carole T. Kaczorowski, Savannah – Kaczorowski is a member of the advisory board and the executive committee for Kidsnet Savannah. She is the former vice president of the New Jersey Mental Health Association, former chairman of the Child and Family Advocacy Committee and past member of the New Jersey State Community Mental Health Board and the New Jersey Children’s Coordinating Council. Kaczorowski earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a master’s degree from Rutgers University. She and her husband, Stanley, have five children and four grandchildren.

Mark J. Lane, Albany- Lane is president and chief executive officer of Security Bank and Trust Company. He served as president and chief executive officer of Quincy State Bank. He is a member of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, the Albany Dougherty Inner City Authority and the Dougherty Rotary Club. He is a trustee of Albany Technical College Foundation, Darton College Foundation and Deerfield-Windsor School. Lane earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. He and his wife, Donna, have three children.

C. Stephen “Steve” Lowe, Jasper – Lowe is the executive director and co-founder of The Joy House, a non-profit ministry dedicated to restoring teens and families. Previously, he served as an engineering contractor with CSL Consulting, Inc. and as an associate firmware engineer with Schumberger Electricity. Lowe earned a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Wendy, have three children.

Donnie Lamar Ayodele Olajuwon, Stone Mountain– Olajuwon is a sixth grade teacher at The Champion Theme Middle School for the DeKalb County School System. He previously served as an assistant to the Department of Human Resources’ Independent Living Program and as an intern in the United States Senate. Olajuwon’s community service involvement includes the Metro-Atlanta Youth Opportunities Initiative, Boys II Men of Grady County, Grady County Youth STARS, and the mentor program at Clark Atlanta University. Olajuwon is a 2002 National Youth Scholar and a 2004 Faculty Scholar at Georgia State University. He was in the Georgia foster care system for 16 years, and later was adopted at the age of 17 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and is pursuing a master’s degree from Mercer University.

Linda H. Parker, Woodstock – Parker serves as coordinator for the Coverdell Leadership Institute and is vice president of the Cherokee County Advocacy Council. She is the former vice president of C-Med/Dove, Inc. and is active in Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, Must Ministries, and the American Red Cross. Parker earned a bachelor’s degree from Doane College and attended the Victory Bible Institute in Oklahoma. She and her husband, Kenneth, have three children and six grandchildren.

Adam “Ad” S. Poppell III, Darien – Poppell is an attorney. He previously served as a court service worker for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and a probation officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections. He is the former chairman of the McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce. Poppell earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Mercer University. He and his wife, Lynn, have two children.

Daniel “Dan” J. Provence, Bainbridge – Provence is the community chair for the Decatur County Family Connection Collaborative and volunteers as executive director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Southwest Georgia, a non-profit organization that trains and manages court appointed volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children in court. He is also the chief executive officer and broker of United Country-Provence Realty. Provence is the former president of the Kiwanis Club of Bainbridge and served as lieutenant governor for Division Five of the Georgia District of Kiwanis. He also served on the Judicial Citizens Review Panel and has received the Kiwanian of the Year award and the YMCA Volunteer of the Year award. Provence earned his degree from Bainbridge College. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two children.

Kathryn “Kathy” M. Schrader, Duluth – Schrader is an attorney with her own practice, Kathryn M. Schrader, P.C. and is co-founder of a mediation and arbitration firm, Resolution Matters. She is also associate judge for the Municipalities of Duluth and Sugar Hill. She serves on the board of directors for the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett County, and specializes in matters concerning children and youth at risk. She is the past president of the Gwinnett County Bar Association, served on the First Lady’s Our Children Campaign, and is a former member and chairman of the School Site Committee for the American Heart Association of Gwinnett. Schrader earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Mercer University. She and her husband, Richard, have three children.

Michele H. Smith, Pine Mountain - Smith is a former teacher and parental involvement coordinator at Park Elementary School in Hamilton, Georgia. She has served her field in a number of different capacities over her 20-year career in addition to serving her community, most recently as a member of the Board of Governors for the Chattahoochee Valley Art Museum. Smith has also been involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Child Abuse Council in Harris County. In 2007 she was appointed to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson’s Education Advisory School Board. Smith and her husband, Vance, have three children.

Steven C. Teske, Jonesboro – Teske is a judge of the Juvenile Court of Clayton County, where he has served since 1999. He served as chief of the Atlanta parole district and deputy director of field services for the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. He was a trial attorney and partner in the law firm of Boswell & Teske, where he also served as special assistant attorney general. He is president of the Georgia Council of Juvenile Court Judges, the Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, and the Southlake Kiwanis. He serves on the Department of Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, is a member of the Federal Advisory Committee for Juvenile Justice, and serves on the board of trustees of the Good Shepherd Clinic. Teske earned an associate’s degree from Clayton State College and University and a bachelor’s, master’s and law degree from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Deborah, have three children.