For Immediate Release

Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Georgia Association of Solicitors-General Announces New Leaders for 2008-2009

The Georgia Association of Solicitors-General has announced new leadership for 2008-2009. Benjamin S. Richardson, Solicitor-General of Muscogee County will lead the association as president. Brian Fortner, Solicitor-General of Douglas County, is president-elect. Leslie Abernathy, Solicitor-General of Forsyth County , will serve as secretary and Rosanna Szabo, Solicitor-General of Gwinnett County, is treasurer.

Officers of the association are elected for a one -year term after being nominated by the executive board and voted on by the membership body at the annual spring meeting of the association. The term begins the first day of July following the spring meeting.

“The role of president can be a daunting, challenging task,” said Richardson . “But as President John F. Kennedy stated, ‘Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.’ Therefore, as President of the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General, I look forward to working with my colleagues and peers towards next year’s goals, which are to enhance traffic safety on the highways and roads of our State, to help craft legislation that will benefit both prosecutors around the state of Georgia and the criminal justice system, and to continue to actively educate the public on the dangers of driving under the influence and the damaging effects of domestic violence on the community. Our mission is to collectively deal with the common issues and concerns facing prosecutors and to continue to train our members to effectively prosecute misdemeanor criminal offenses.”

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as President-Elect of the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General,” said Brian Fortner. “I will coordinate the association’s participation in the joint house and senate study committee as it considers a revision of the state’s evidence code. I will also plan the association’s annual conference taking place in May of 2009. Ultimately, I will work with my fellow prosecutors in the association to focus on the effective prosecution of misdemeanor crimes and to represent the interests of crime victims throughout the state.”

"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing,” quoted Richardson of President Theodore Roosevelt. Richardson continued. “We look forward, as an association, to working with law enforcement officials at enhancing the criminal justice system for the betterment of the citizens of Georgia.”

The transition of leadership took place on July 01, 2008 . The association would like to thank Immediate Past President Chuck Spahos, Solicitor-General of Henry County, for his guidance. Spahos will continue to lead as chairman of association’s legislative committee.

For more information on the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General, contact the office of Association President Ben Richardson through Office Manager Jan Vardeman at (706) 653-4327 or by fax at (706) 653-4330.