New Coronavirus Task Force Named By Gov. Kemp

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday a new coronavirus task force for Georgia. It will assess the state’s preparations and procedures for preventing, identifying, and if needed, addressing cases of COVID-19.

Kemp’s announcement followed a call with Vice President Mike Pence about the Trump Administration’s efforts to facilitate inter-agency cooperation and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of coronavirus.

Kemp made the announcement following a call with Vice President Mike Pence about the Trump Administration's efforts to facilitate interagency cooperation and proactive measures to mitigate the virus' impact.

“The President wisely selected Vice President Pence - a former governor with expertise in emergency preparedness - to coordinate this national effort, and I deeply appreciate the Vice President's offers of assistance should the need arise in Georgia," said Governor Kemp in a public statement.

"In accordance with the Administration's initiatives, Georgia's coronavirus task force represents a coalition of subject-matter experts from the private and public sectors who will work together on preventative measures, strategic deployment of resources, and collaboration across all levels of government."

Governor's Coronavirus Task Force includes:

Felipe den Brok
Director – City of Atlanta’s Office of Emergency Preparedness

Homer Bryson
Director – Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency

Major General Tom Carden
Adjutant General – Georgia National Guard

Chris Carr
Attorney General – Office of the Attorney General

Sharon Cooper, RN, MSN
Chair – State House Health & Human Services Committee

Greg Dozier
Commissioner – Technical College System of Georgia

Cherie Drenzek
State Epidemiologist – Georgia Department of Public Health

Tim Fleming
Chief of Staff – Office of the Governor

John Haupert, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer – Grady Health System

John King
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner – Georgia Department of Insurance

Colleen Kraft, MD
Director – Emory University Clinical Virology Research Laboratory

Ryan Loke
Healthcare Advisor – Office of the Governor

John Selden
General Manager – Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Lorri Smith
Chief Operating Officer – Office of the Governor

Kathleen Toomey, MD, MPH
Commissioner – Georgia Department of Public Health

Ben Watson, MD
Chair – State Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Richard Woods
State School Superintendent – Georgia Department of Education

Steve Wrigley
Chancellor – University System of Georgia