Submitted by the office of the governor

ATLANTA – Gov. Sonny Perdue has announced the following appointments to the Governor’s Office for Children and Families Advisory Board. The Governor’s Office for Children and Families was created by HB 1054 and combines the Children’s Trust Fund Commission (CTF) with the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC).

Governor’s Office for Children and Families Advisory Board

Andrew “Andy” B. Barclay, Atlanta – Barclay and his wife, Michelle, are founders of the Barton Clinic, a partnership program with Emory University School of Law that strives to encourage students from all fields to pursue public-interest careers. He also co-founded Fostering Court Improvement, a non-profit that works with juvenile courts to measure and improve outcomes for children and families. He also works as a full-time volunteer technical consultant to many of Georgia’s non-profit and governmental agencies. Barclay earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, master’s degrees from Stanford University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is pursuing a doctoral degree from Emory University. The Barclays have one child.

John C. Bowden, Forsyth – Bowden is currently an administrative assistance for ERA Connie R. Ham Middle Georgia Realty. He was a SAT Scholar Student, the founder and past president of Interact and served as projects chairman of Future Teachers of America at Mary Persons High School. Bowden was a member of the National Beta Club and was named in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He was a member of the board of directors for the Monroe County Relay for Life and served on the Georgia Department of Education’s Student Advisory Council. Bowden is an honor graduate of Mary Persons High School and will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Barbara J. Bunn, Conyers – Bunn previously served six terms as a state representative in the Georgia House of Representatives and served as a classroom teacher in Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. She was a charter board member of Prevent Child Abuse Rockdale and served as a board member for the Rockdale Coalition of Children and Families and the South Rockdale Civic Association. She is past president of Rockdale Kiwanis and Rockdale Retired Teachers. Bunn earned a bachelor’s degree from Emporia Kansas State University. She and her husband, William, have two children.

Kenneth “Ken” M. Dobbs, D.Min., Greenville – Dobbs currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. He previously served as assistant executive director of the Georgia Baptist Foundation and has been a pastor of several churches. Dobbs is past president of the Southern Baptist Child Care Executives of the Southern Baptist Convention and is the former chairman of the Endowment Committee for the Georgia Baptist Convention. He is the 2001 recipient of Mercer University’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. Dobbs earned a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary and a doctoral degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and five grandchildren.

Timothy “Tim” G. Echols, Winterville – Echols is the founder, president and chief executive officer of TeenPact Youth Leadership School, which trains young people in an understanding of government and politics using student staff in 39 states. He is a co-founder of the Governor’s Youth Leadership Summit and served as chief executive officer of Family Concerns, Inc. Echols earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Windy, have seven children.