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Heap Elected to Board Chair for FY 2026
Georgia Parole Review Spring/Summer 2025
Parole Board Vice Chair Meg Heap was chosen to chair the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for Fiscal Year 2026 which began July 1st. Heap was appointed to the Board in January of 2021. The five-member parole board chose Heap during the June monthly operations meeting.
Joyette Holmes was selected to serve as Vice Chair. Holmes was appointed to the Board in January of 2024. Holmes attended the meeting via conference call.
Heap thanked the board and parole staff.
“This is a good agency. It’s been an honor and I’m very humbled. I look forward to carrying on what we do,” said Heap.
Heap served the Eastern Judicial Circuit as District Attorney, serving two terms. She began her career as a Volunteer Coordinator and Victim Advocate with the Victim-Witness Assistance Program in the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. Heap served as the Parole Board Vice Chair for FY 2025. She succeeds David Herring who served for FY25.
Herring stated it was an honor serving as Chair.
"I've really enjoyed being the chairman. It makes it easy being the chairman of this board with the support of all the members," stated Herring.
Joyette Holmes began her career as a defense attorney. She became the first African-American and woman to serve as both Chief Magistrate Judge and District Attorney of Cobb County.
During the meeting, the Parole Board recognized the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) which celebrates its 10th year of existence. Legislation created DCS transferring both parole and probation supervision to the newly created agency. Chairman Herring presented the Board's proclamation to DCS Commissioner Michael Nail. Nail has been DCS's only Commissioner and previously served the Parole Board as Executive Director.
The Board also presented DCS with a plaque commemorating the anniversary.
One other item of business was special recognition for the staff who volunteered at the Association of Paroling Authorities International 2025 Annual Training Conference.
(click here to watch this meeting)