Gov. Nathan Deal tapped new leadership for the Department of Community Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Following the appointment DCH Commissioner Clyde Reese III to the Georgia Court of Appeals, Deal appointed DBHDD Commissioner Frank Berry as the new DCH Commissioner. The appointment will take effect on Dec. 1.

Deal also nominated Judy Fitzgerald, the current DBHDD chief of staff, as the DBHDD commissioner. Pending board approval, she will transition into the role on Dec. 1.

 Frank Berry, Commissioner, Department of Community Health
Berry has served as the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health  and Developmental Disabilities for four years and has more than 30 years of public  service experience. He was previously the chief executive officer of View Point Health, one of Georgia’s largest community service boards. Berry sits on the board for the Department of Community Supervision and the board of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. He is a member of the First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet and the chairman of Georgia’s Behavioral Health Coordinating Council. Berry earned a master’s degree from Florida State University. He and his wife have two daughters and reside in Covington.

 Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner, Department of Behavioral Health and  Developmental Disabilities
Judy Fitzgerald currently serves as the chief of staff for the Georgia Department of  Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. She was appointed to this position  after working as the DBHDD deputy commissioner of programs. Fitzgerald was previously the vice president of strategy for View Point Health and the executive director for the Mental Health Association of Georgia. She also has experience as a consultant for child and adolescent services. Fitzgerald earned a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Tim Gould, have two children and live in Smyrna.