04.28.09 Press Conference - Post

PRESS CONTACTS:

DEKALB COUNTY

W. Burrell Ellis, Jr. Chief Executive Officer

NEWS RELEASE

APRIL 28, 2009

Shelia Edwards Chief Communications Officer Phone: 404-371-6305 Cell: 404-964-0155 Kristie N. Swink Director of Communications Phone: 404-687-3719 Cell: 404-862-1494

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEKALB CEO BURRELL ELLIS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR Attorney William “Wiz” Miller to Lead Public Safety Coordination DECATUR – DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis announced today the appointment of Attorney William “Wiz” Miller as the Public Safety Director of DeKalb County. CEO Ellis was joined by Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader, Sheriff Tom Brown, Police Chief William O’Brian and Fire Chief David Foster in announcing the appointment. “A Public Safety Director would bring much needed managerial attention and focus on the coordination of all public safety activities and functions in our county and will ultimately lead to a safer Dekalb. William is a person that has risen through the ranks and has dedicated his life to public safety,” said Ellis. “I have a great deal of respect for what he has been able to accomplish during his career as a director, student, father and Assistant District Attorney. I look forward to his leadership in this role for DeKalb County.” Miller, a prosecutor in the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office, was previously a 23-year veteran of the DeKalb County Police Department. While a member of the department, Miller held numerous leadership positions. His last position in the department was Deputy Chief over the Program Operations Division. “The District Attorney’s Office fully supports the public safety position and believes the CEO has done a fantastic job in selecting William Z. Miller to serve as the new Director of Public Safety for DeKalb County,” says Gwen Keyes Fleming, District Attorney for DeKalb County. “His commitment to the community combined with years of experience is a perfect combination for this position. We, at the DeKalb County DA’s Office, commend William and look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.” As Public Safety Director, Miller will be responsible for coordinating public safety activities among DeKalb’s public safety departments, the public safety agencies of DeKalb’s municipalities and other relevant agencies and entities. Miller is a magna cum laude graduate of Georgia State University with a major in criminal justice. He also earned his law degree from Georgia State. Miller is a 19-year resident of DeKalb County. (MORE) Department of Communications, Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 www.co.dekalb.ga.us

PAGE 2, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR

LEFT: CEO Burrell Ellis announces the appointment of William “Wiz” Miller as the Public Safety Director of DeKalb County. RIGHT (From Left to Right): Public Safety Director William “Wiz” Miller, District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader, District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, and Fire Chief David Foster

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Department of Communications, Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 www.co.dekalb.ga.us