Governor Nathan Deal appointed former lobbyist and lawyer Jud Turner as the new director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Governor Deal cites Turner’s “wealth of experience, expertise and leadership” as the reason he was chosen as the new director. This appointment must first be approved by the board of the DNR on December 7th. If approved, Turner would begin his new position the first week in January. He will replace current director of two year Allen Barnes.
Turner served as former Governor Sonny Perdue’s chief legal advisor in 2007 and 2008. For three years, Turner has been a registered lobbyist for his public affairs firm Georgia 360. This firm has represented organizations such as the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Walt Disney Company and Honeywell.