Kemp swears in administration appointees

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp has conducted the swearing-in ceremonies for three new appointees in his administration over the past two days. Dr. Kathleen Toomey was sworn-in as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health on Tuesday, and on Wednesday Patrick “Kelly” Farr was sworn-in as director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and a member of the Georgia Ports Authority, along with Robert Watts, who was sworn-in as a member of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission.

Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Commissioner — Department of Public Health: An epidemiologist and board-certified family practitioner, Toomey’s career in public health is long and distinguished. She attained her undergraduate degree at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and received her M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. As a Fulbright Scholar, she studied indigenous healing practices in Peru. Most recently, Toomey served as Director of the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, leading the department’s transition to become the Fulton County Board of Health and continuing as District Health Director of the Fulton Board of Health until January 2019.

“Dr. Toomey is a world-renowned epidemiologist with a distinguished career in public health through her work as a physician, researcher and expert in her field,” Kemp said. “Over the years, she has earned a stellar reputation, and I am confident that Dr. Toomey will serve Georgians well as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health.”

Patrick “Kelly” Farr Jr., Director — Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget; Member — Georgia Ports Authority: Farr holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Augusta University. He has significant expertise in business development from his work at Lucent Technologies, Capgemini, and most recently, SAS Institute. In these capacities, Farr worked extensively with various state agencies to implement technological advances and improve constituent service. He also previously served as deputy secretary of state for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, responsible for budget management and oversight of daily operations.

“A trusted advisor and subject-matter expert in resources management, Kelly brings extensive expertise about state government and the private and public sectors to the Office of Planning and Budget,” Kemp said. “He is a strong leader who will oversee the state’s budget by putting Georgians first, ensuring good stewardship of our resources.”

Robert “Bob” Watts, Member — Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission: At Jones Day, Watts practices complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts. His practice includes shareholder and securities litigation following mergers or acquisitions, governmental investigations and internal corporate investigations involving fraud. Watts has an active pro bono practice, including matters from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation where he has represented survivors of family violence seeking temporary protective orders. Before law school, he served as a legislative assistant in the United States House of Representatives. He is active in communities across the state, where he serves on the board of directors of the University of Georgia Alumni Association, the Georgia State University Law Alumni Council and the Westminster Schools of Augusta Alumni Association.

“Bob Watts is highly respected by his peers and brings a wealth of experience to the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission,” Kemp said. “I have no doubt that Bob will operate with integrity in this important role, and I thank him for accepting this call to public service.”

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