Brenda Hoffmeyer, director of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, will serve as vice chairwoman of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Board of Directors this year and will become chair in 2010.

Rick Malone, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, will serve as secretary-treasurer this year and as vice chair in 2010.

This year, they will serve alongside chairman Sammy Jones, judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court.

“As a prosecution-based victim advocate, my role is to represent all victims of crime as mandated by the Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights,” said Hoffmeyer. “My continued involvement on the board will ensure that all victims of crime across the state have a voice as we work to provide funding and support for these necessary services. I appreciate the support and trust the governor and the board has placed in me and I will work hard to serve Georgia’s victims of crime.”

As elected officials, Hoffmeyer and Malone will serve on the Executive Committee, in addition to other committees assigned by the chairman. Both currently sit on the Crime Victims Compensation Appeals Committee, where Malone serves as chair and Hoffmeyer serves as vice chair.

The council’s purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of Georgia’s criminal justice system by building knowledge and partnerships among state and local government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The goal is to develop and sustain results-driven programs, services and activities.

The council serves as the state administrative agency for numerous federal grant programs and manages state grant programs funded by the General Assembly. It conducts planning, research and evaluation activities to improve criminal justice system operations and coordination. It operates Georgia’s Crime Victims Compensation Program which uses federal funds and fee and fine proceeds to provide financial help to victims of violent crime.

Leadership for the council is selected by members from 14 state agencies, along with 10 gubernatorial appointees. Malone is the designee of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and Hoffmeyer is a gubernatorial appointee.