Cornerstone Government Affairs announced Monday that Camila Knowles will join the firm October 1 as Senior Vice President and Counsel in the company’s Atlanta office. 

Knowles comes to the firm after serving in Governor Nathan Deal’s cabinet as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) since 2015. She led that agency’s work for community development, ensuring that through workforce housing, community infrastructure, downtown development and economic development financing, communities are prepared for opportunities to meet Governor Deal’s top priority: creating jobs across the state. DCA provides funding and technical assistance throughout Georgia, partnering with local communities to create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses. The Agency also manages millions of state and federal dollars through its 65 programs, 24 of them funding programs. 

"I would like to thank Camila for her service,” Governor Deal said. “I appreciate her focus at DCA on building strong, vibrant communities around Georgia, and her particular attention to revitalizing rural communities. I wish her the best in her future endeavors as she transitions to the private sector." 

Prior to her service in the Deal Administration, she was chief of staff to U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss. She began her career with Senator Chambliss in 2003 as one of the Senator’s designees on the Senate Judiciary Committee focusing on immigration law and policy. After serving as a legislative assistant and chief counsel for the Senator in Washington, she moved in 2009 to his Atlanta office as state director and was named chief of staff in 2013. 

“I have known Camila her entire life, and had the pleasure of spending 12 of those years working closely with her at the forefront of policy issues that impact our state and our country,” Senator Chambliss said. “Camila has a clear, analytical approach and a true servant’s heart. I am fortunate to have benefited from her friendship, intelligence, focus and counsel. Cornerstone is fortunate to have her joining their team.” 

She holds an A.B. in History from Harvard, from which she graduated with cum laude distinction, and a law degree from Georgetown University. 

"Camila joining our Georgia team offers our clients new legal and policy research capabilities unmatched in our market,” Cornerstone Senior Vice President Jerry Usry said. “Her experience in every facet of government expands Cornerstone's drafting, analysis and strategic advisory services to a new level. We are excited to see how far her knowledge and skills sets will advance our firm."