New Human Resources Director Named

Komola Edwards Promoted

FORSYTH, Ga. – Commissioner Tyrone Oliver announced the promotion of Komola Edwards to Human Resources Director effective February 1, 2024, following the retirement of current Director, Betsy Thomas. As Director, Edwards will be responsible for human resource management programs and functions including recruitment and retention, compensation, hiring policies, and staff professional development for the largest law enforcement agency in the state. Edwards will be working closely with Thomas in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition into her new role.

“Komola has been a dedicated and dependable leader while upholding the GDC mission for more than 20 years, and we are confident that her correctional knowledge and commitment to integrity will prove to be a great benefit to the entire GDC team as she leads the HR unit,” said Commissioner Oliver.
 

Edwards began her career with the GDC in 1999 as a Correctional Officer at Burruss Correctional Training Center. She served there in the capacity of Correctional Officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant. She was promoted to Chief of Security at Macon Transitional Center in January 2013, and to Unit Manager at Central SP in October 2013. In 2015, she was promoted to the Commissioner’s Designee for Adverse Actions and Agency Complaint Resolution Coordinator, where she currently serves. 

 Edwards has earned Associate degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Georgia Military College. She earned a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Science in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. She is also a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). She has completed the following departmental training: Basic Management Training, Advanced Management Training, Correctional Leadership Institute, Professional Management Program, Sergeants Academy, Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Instructor Program (Senior Instructor) and Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment Academy.  In addition to her years in public service to the state of Georgia, Edwards served seven years in the United States Air Force.

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About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising approximately 47,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.