Corrections Leadership to Serve on the National Association of Government Communicators Board

Joan Heath Appointed

FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) announced the recent appointment of Communications Director Joan Heath to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). As Education Director, Heath will serve as one of 13 NAGC Board members and will be responsible for coordinating the NAGC's annual Communications School. The NAGC organization provides opportunities for individual professional development and career advancement, enhancing effective communication with constituents, and advancing the profession of government communication. 

"Joan brings extensive experience in communications, public relations, and governmental affairs," said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "Her leadership is expected to significantly contribute to the NAGC's mission of advocating, promoting, and recognizing excellence in governmental communication." 

Heath began her career with the GDC in 2008 as Director of the Office of Public Affairs, now Office of Communications, and since that time has been responsible for leading the GDC communications team in crisis communications, event management, internal messaging and materials, external stakeholder communications, and media relations. Heath also leads the planning and implementation of internal events and regional conferences and served as co-chair for a national conference for women in corrections hosted in Georgia. Prior to joining GDC, she spent 18 years managing marketing and communications in the private sector, including serving as Senior Marketing Representative with Delta Air Lines, managing Southeast area regional sponsorships with professional and collegiate sports teams and national professional golf associations, and as Director of Corporate Partnerships with Philips Arena Sports Marketing, managing fulfillment and execution of contractual elements for building and team sponsors.

She is an active member of the American Correctional Association, the Association of Women Executives in Corrections, the National Information Officers Association, and serves as proxy for the Commissioner on the Governor's Public Safety Awards Committee. She is a past Board Member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia and Boy Scouts of Central Georgia. Her departmental training consists of Professional Management Program and Corrections Leadership Institute through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Heath earned her certificates in Public Administration from the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College through Columbus State University and in Communications Directors school through the National Institute of Corrections. 

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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 50,000 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 http://www.gdc.ga.gov .