Newly sworn-in Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Gale Buckner announced a series of appointments and staff changes Monday. According to a DJJ press release, Buckner hired four new high-level employees and promoted another.
Among the newly hired were Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb, who takes over as Deputy Commissioner of Administrative Services; Tracy D. Masters, as the new Director of Legal Services; Carol Jackson as the new Director of Legislative Affairs and Diane Avery as Board and Constituent Liaison.
Buckner promoted current DJJ Deputy Commissioner Jeff Minor to Assistant Commissioner. Minor will be second-in-command at the DJJ, according to the press release, but will continue to oversee the Offices of Budget Services and Human Resources.
“Shawanda, Carol, Tracy, Diane and Jeff have extensive and valuable experience in a variety of areas that will serve the Department well,” Buckner said. “I look forward to utilizing their talents and skills as we face challenges and enhance DJJ all while helping the troubled youth we serve and ensuring public safety in our communities and facilities.”
Buckner replaced out-going commissioner Amy Howell who, at the request of Gov. Nathan Deal, moved to a new position at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
A long-time agent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Buckner also served as Vice Chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.