Melanie Biersmith serves as the State 4-H Leader (and Director of 4-H) for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. She is the ninth state leader in the organization’s 118-year history. Melanie leads a staff and faculty of over 200 hundred employees that support the implementation of the 4-H program in Georgia which serves over 200,000 youth in a typical year.

From 2018-2023, Melanie served as an Associate State 4-H Leader for the Georgia 4-H program. In this role, she was responsible for the operation of the 4-H facilities across Georgia: Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton, Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, Georgia 4-H at Camp Jekyll, and 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island.  She also provided leadership to the residential programs that operate out of the 4-H facilities including the 4-H Environmental Education program and the 4-H summer camping program.

She holds the faculty rank of Senior Public Service Associate at the University of Georgia and is a recipient of the 2017 Walter Barnard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach.  She has also been recognized as Facilitator of the Year for three environmental education curricula: Project WET (2002), Project WILD (2017), and Project Learning Tree (2019).

She started her career with UGA Extension on Jekyll Island in 2003.  She first served as 4-H Environmental Education Coordinator and then 4-H Center Director.  In 2008, she transitioned to the state 4-H staff where she served as Extension 4-H Specialist for Science and Environmental Education until 2018.

Melanie’s degrees, a B.S. in biology from Georgia College and a M.A. in science education from the University of Georgia, have both contributed to work with Georgia 4-H. Additionally, she worked with UGA’s Marine Extension on Skidaway Island for three years and taught high school science in Georgia for two years. She stays in touch with the formal education community as her husband is a high school science teacher in Morgan County. Together, they have two children.

Mandy Burgess Marable serves the State 4-H faculty as Extension Specialist for Curriculum and Staff Development.  She joined the State 4-H faculty in 2002.  Prior to her appointment as Extension 4-H Specialist, she spent her early career working as a special education coordinator and teacher at Holsenbeck Elementary in  Barrow County.

In her role as Extension Specialist, Mandy supports 4-H County Extension Agents by garnering curricula and materials to reach students through 4-H programming.  She is also charged with enhancing Georgia 4-H’s long-standing relationship with Georgia’s school systems as we continue to work to be a partner in public education. Mandy coordinates the collective effort of the State 4-H staff to provide staff development for County Extension faculty in the areas of youth development, new agent training, partnerships with public schools, lesson development and curricula implementation, and collaborates with colleagues from around the university, state, and nation to ensure Georgia’s agents have access to the latest staff development materials. Also, Mandy serves as faculty liaison to the State 4-H Advisory committe and 4-H State Afterschool contact.

Mandy is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Masters in Education and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University where she graduated with cum laude honors. She had the privilege of growing up in the small community of Washington, Georgia where she was actively involved as a Wilkes County 4-H’er and received the outstanding senior 4-H’er award accompanied by the Mitchell Willingham scholarship. Mandy went on to serve four summers in the Georgia 4-H camping program with two summers in leadership positions. She was recognized as a Honorary Master 4-H’er in 1994.

During her career Mandy has been afforded several recognitions to include Holsenbeck Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2000, Barrow County Superintendent’s Council, Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents Outstanding New Agent-State Staff, Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents Achievement in Service Award, Distinguished Service Award for Contributions to the National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System, and she is a Past President for Georgia’s Alpha Beta Chapter for Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Mandy is actively involved in her community serving in various leadership roles for Antioch Christian Church,  past board member and recording secretary for Extra Special People, Inc., past board  member for Georgia 4-H Counselor Alumni, past member of Athens Junior Women’s Club, Parent Volunteer for Friendship Presbyterian Preschool and Colham Ferry Elementary School, and an active Alpha Gamma Delta Alumna.

Mandy is married to Brent W. Marable and shares his passion for Agriculture as he serves as Plant Licensing Manager for the Plant Variety Program for The University of Georgia Research Foundation. The Marable’s reside in Brent’s hometown of Watkinsville and are the proud parents of two very busy boys!

Adam holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Georgia College and is completing a Master of Nonprofit Management and Leadership degree from the University of Georgia. Previous to this new role, Adam served as a development officer with the Foundation and helped lead several record-breaking fundraising campaigns and major donor relations programs and events. Adam grew up a 4-H’er in Oconee County. Before joining the Foundation, he spent 15 years working as a multi Emmy Award-winning journalist in major television markets across the country. Adam is married to Lauren and they have a 10-year-old daughter named Kinney. He is excited to continue working with the team to elevate the impact of the Georgia 4-H Foundation for youth in all 159 Georgia counties.

Kelle Ashley serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Leadership and Civic Engagement for Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. In this role, she provides resources for county programs focused on leadership development and civic engagement opportunities. Kelle coordinates Leadership in Action, Dean’s Award, National Conference, the Ambassador Program, and serves as the State Board Advisor. Kelle received her Master of Agricultural and Environmental Education from the University of Georgia and Bachelor of Science in Education from Valdosta State University. She began her career with UGA Extension in 2011 in Bibb County as the 4-H Agent. In 2015, Kelle transferred to the Northeast District to become the Oconee County 4-H Agent. She became the Oconee County Extension Coordinator in 2021.

Prior to her career in Extension, Kelle taught elementary school. She started teaching fourth grade in Barrow County and later taught second grade in Jasper County. Kelle is married to Brandon Ashley, Director of Business Development at Jackson EMC. They met while serving as 4-H camp counselors while at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. They share a love for UGA football and are the proud parents of two daughters, Clarke and Sutton.

Adam helps provide pc, server, network, and website
support for the State 4-H Office on UGA’s campus and
the five 4-H centers statewide.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration
degree in Information Systems and Communications
from Georgia College and State University in 1999, and
in 2004 he received a Master of Management Information
Systems degree from Georgia College and State University.
Adam spent several years working in the IT field within the
private sector before joining Georgia 4-H in 2001, with job
responsibilities ranging from AS/400 computer operator to
network administration.

Adam enjoys spending his spare time with his family,
playing golf, watching sports, and traveling. He resides in
Madison, GA with his wife Jamison, and their son William.

Katie Bowker serves as the Program Coordinator for 4-H Technology grants including the 4-H Tech Changemakers program and the 4-H Ag Tech program. In this role she works with county offices with 4-H youth leaders implementing technology outreach to their local communities. After growing up in Oconee County, GA, Katie attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree. She took a year after graduation to serve as a FoodCorps member and then worked for a conservation nonprofit as a program manager. She later returned to UGA to become a "double dawg" and received her degree of Master of Agricultural and Environmental Education. Katie has worked at the Georgia 4-H office since July 2021.

Kasey Bozeman serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Science Programs with Georgia 4-H. Kasey develops, implements, and evaluates state-level 4-H science programs, including Mission Make-It: The Georgia 4-H Engineering Challenge, the Georgia 4-H Technology Summit, STEM Ambassadors, Pollinator Ambassadors, and Wildlife Ambassadors.  Additionally, Kasey trains and supports county-based faculty in science programming and creating curricula and other materials to address science and STEM programs.  Kasey also serves as the Lead State Advisor to National 4-H Council’s Tech Changemakers program, providing content and technical assistance to 1862 institutions implementing the project.

From 2011-2019, Kasey served as the Liberty County Extension Coordinator and 4-H Youth Development Agent. In this role, she planned and taught educational programs and activities for 4-H youth, including in-school meetings and out-of-school clubs and opportunities.  She guided youth in 4-H project work, competitions, leadership, and citizenship development, having multiple youth win state honors in their project and a team win the state land judging competition.  Additionally, Kasey has worked as a Child & Youth Specialist for Air Force Reserve Command and a seasonal Environmental Education Instructor at Wahsega 4-H Center.

Kasey earned a B.S. in environmental science from Piedmont College and a M.S. in environmental education from Nova Southeastern University.  She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in curriculum studies from Georgia Southern University.  Her favorite learning environments are outdoors, engaging, and fun.  In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and crafting.

I am honored to serve as the Administrative Specialist and support all the wonderful folks at the UGA 4-H state office. Prior to this position I served as an Elementary School Nurse for 12+ years. My husband is a UGA Alum with a Master's in Plant Sciences. We are blessed with 4 amazing daughters that keep us young!

Jennifer Cantwell earned a Master of Social Work in Community Empowerment and Program Development with a certificate in Nonprofit Management at the University of Georgia (UGA) and a BS in Family and Community Services at Berry College.

Jennifer has worked in various social work arenas, including child welfare, violence against women, youth development, collaboration, community organizing, grants management, evaluation, and non-profit capacity building.

Jennifer has been a Georgia 4-H State Staff Member at the University of Georgia/Cooperative Extension since April 2014. Her main duty is as the AmeriCorps State Program Coordinator. She oversees all aspects of the grant from managing day-to-day activities, leading the yearly grant renewal process, developing, and managing the budget, overseeing recruitment and hiring, providing support and training to members and site supervisors, and completing required reports. She also supports 4-H State Specialists and County Faculty with program evaluation.

Ashley Carroll serves as the Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development and Curriculum at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Carroll received her Bachelors degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Following her bachelors degree, she earned her Masters degree in Agricultural and Extension Education along with a graduate certificate in Youth Development and Leadership from N.C. State University. Most recently, she completed her Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Georgia. Her dissertation research focused on Extension professional development and facilitation and has been shared nationally.

Ashley began her career with UGA Extension in 2013 as the Southwest District 4-H Program Assistant. In 2016, she transitioned to Dougherty County where she served as the 4-H Educator for two years. Most recently, she served as the Tift County 4-H Agent where she planned and taught educational programs and activities to help 4-H youth thrive. These opportunities included in-school meetings and out-of-school teams and clubs. She guided youth in meaningful 4-H project work that allowed them to explore their sparks. This project work included competitions, leadership opportunities, and civic engagement. Under her direction, youth earned multiple state and national honors in their individual and team project competitions.

Jenna Daniel serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Grant Development. In this role, she works with county, state, and district faculty and staff to secure funding and increase organizational capacity through grant opportunities. Jenna began her career with UGA Extension in 2011 and has served as Walton County 4-H Agent, AmeriCorps State Grant Program Coordinator, and State Office Program Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Science at Western Kentucky University. At the University of Georgia, she received her Master of Agricultural Leadership and Doctorate in Adult Education.

Lee Anna Deal is the 4-H Program Development Coordinator serving 39 counties in UGA Extension’s Southeast District.  As a PDC, Lee Anna provides training, support,and coaching to the 4-H agents, associates, and program assistants in the counteis located in Southeastern Georgia.

Lee Anna started her 4-H journey like many, in 5th grade with a great experience at Cloverleaf Project Achievement and 4-H Camp.  She also showed livestock.  She was raised on a farm in Bulloch County, GA and became interested in a career with UGA Extension after an intership wtih Bulloch County Extension.  She is an alumna of Georgia Southern University.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development and a MEd in Higher Education Administration.

Prior to joining the SE District team in December 2015, Lee Anna served as the County Extension 4-H Agent in Bulloch County for 10 years.  Her Extension career began in 2001 in Glascock, Warren, & McDuffie Counties.  She also served as the 4-H Agent in Effingham County.  In 2010, Deal was nominated by her peers to receive the William H. Booth Award winning the distinguished honor among 4-H agents in SE District.  In 2015, she recieved the Continuing Excellence Award for the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents.  She has also recieved the Achievement in Service and Distinguished Service Awards from the Georgia and National Associations of Extension Agents.  She served as the National Chair of the NAE4-HA Professional Development Committee from 2013-2015.  She is also a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honor Society.

Lee Anna resides in Statesboro, Georgia with her husband Eric, and their two children Addie and Rylan.

Christina Garner serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Health and Wellness for Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Dr. Garner is a “Triple Dawg” as she received her Doctoral, Master’s, and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her doctoral studies focused on improving health-related resources and building communities in rural southwest Georgia. Garner’s research efforts continue to involve resource development to
improve the health and wellness of others.

She began her career with UGA Extension in 2016 as the Southwest District AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) member. In 2017, Christina transitioned to Northeast District as the 4-H, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, and County Extension Coordinator in Pickens County. Garner returned to Southwest District in 2020 as the Stewart County Family
and Consumer Sciences Agent and County Extension Coordinator. In this role, she worked with both youth and adult audiences to address chronic disease, literacy, and improve access to healthier foods and physical activity in rural Southwest Georgia

Matt Hammons serves as the director at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. In this role he coordinates the overall operations of the 4-H center including dining services, housekeeping, maintenance, programming, and overall administration. Matt encourages the Rock Eagle 4-H Center team to develop themselves professionally while providing safe and enjoyable experiences to all guests.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education from Georgia College and State University and a Master of Education in Recreation Administration from the University of Georgia. He joined the Rock Eagle team in the fall of 2000 as a seasonal environmental educator. He later served as a program specialist, the coordinator for environmental education, and assistant director at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Matt became Rock Eagle 4-H Center Director in 2019.

Keri Gandy Hobbs serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Volunteer Development for Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. In this role, she works with county personnel to create and deliver resources for volunteer leadership and management. As a native of South Georgia and proud alumni of the Turner County 4-H program, Keri received her Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State University and Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia. She began her career with UGA Extension in 2007 in Sumter County as the 4-H Agent. While there she built a strong 4-H program with special focus on volunteer development. Through her efforts she became part of the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) grant project that is now in its 10th year of funding in Georgia 4-H. In 2012, Keri transferred to Northeast District to become the Jackson County 4-H Agent. She became the Jackson County Extension Coordinator in 2014.

Prior to her career in Extension, Keri served as the Exhibit Interpreter Supervisor and was later promoted to Volunteer Resources Manager for Zoo Atlanta where she managed over 275 adult and teen volunteers who donated 28,000 hours annually. Because of her great success at Zoo Atlanta and certification of Volunteer Management from Leadership 101, Keri served with the Academy for Conservation Training where she developed and delivered a volunteer training curriculum at two locations in China to help them prepare for the Olympics in Beijing. Keri is married to Kelby Hobbs, professionally licensed civil engineer with the National Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. They share a love for music and are the proud parents of two sons.

Ke'Marcis Howard serves as the State 4-H Events and Programs Coordinator for Georgia 4-H. In this role, he works to support the planning, promotion, and execution of the events and activities that serve the more than 240,000 4-H youth in Georgia.

Ke'Marcis holds a Bachelor's in Agricultural Education from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing a Master's in Higher Education from Piedmont University. He began his 4-H journey as an Athens-Clarke County 4-H'er, later serving as an AmeriCorps in Ben Hill County and spending the last two years in Oconee County as the AmeriCorps.

The son of a former Extension home demonstration agent, Craven Hudson grew up in 4-H. Now he is a State 4-H Specialist.

Hudson’s mother—his original 4-H leader—made sure all four of her sons participated in 4-H because she knew they needed to be involved and engaged in their rural community, he said.  “There weren’t all these options that we have now,” explained Hudson. “There was 4-H and baseball.”

Now he’s much farther from his original Red Bank Community 4-H Club and is honored to be leading a new group of more than 184,000 of Georgia’s youth.

Hudson comes to the University of Georgia Extension and Georgia 4-H from North Carolina State University where he served as the executive assistant to the director of Cooperative Extension. He also held the position of executive director of development for 4-H and family and consumer sciences in the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He brings more than 25 years of Extension experience to the peach state.

“Craven’s background as a county Extension agent and knowledge of fund development and organizational skills will help Georgia 4-H continue to be among the best 4-H programs in the United States,” said State 4-H Leader Arch Smith.

Hudson earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry and wildlife from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master’s degree in forestry from NC State. He is currently working on a doctorate of education at NC State.

He is excited about the impact he can have on Georgia’s largest youth development organization.

“4-H is a phenomenal part of Extension and it’s the part that can transform the future,” he said. “It helps kids gain exceptional leadership and citizenship skills. Certainly all the other parts are important,but I am excited about being able to focus on what we can do so that our youth can become citzen-leaders. From this administrative role I want to do the most good for our state and nation.”

Hudson’s first goals are to garner more adult volunteer leaders to align with the state’s growing population and increase retention of Cloverleaf 4-H’ers (fifth- through sixth-graders).

He is excited to see the size and scope of Georgia 4-H’s summer camping program.

“We know so many amazing things happen at residential camps,” he said. “The research is pretty strong about what happens when a kid is in that kind of atmosphere and Georgia does it at a high level.”

When asked about moving to the peach state, Hudson said he hasn’t met a stranger yet. “Folks in North Carolina think they’ve got hospitality but I’ve experienced real hospitality in Georgia,” he answered. “And that’s the truth.”

Beth Jarrett serves as the Business Manager for the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Ms. Jarrett has over 30 years of experience in business operations, small business start-ups, financial management, marketing, and business process development. She has worked in a variety of industries including architectural and design services, manufacturing, engineering, and technology.

As the Business Manager for the Georgia 4-H Foundation, she oversees the daily financial transactions, project and financial reporting, account reconciliations for both internally and externally held funds, records management, and audit preparation.

Beth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Georgia, and was pleased to have the opportunity to serve as a co-founder and volunteer for the Jackson County 4-H Robotics Team 4189, in the role of business and marketing mentor.

In her free time, Beth enjoys acrylic painting, yoga, hiking, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Dwayne joins the State 4-H Staff after serving as Director of Housekeeping and Maintenance at Rock Eagle 4-H Center since 2023. He previously served as Facilities Manager and Landscape Manager at Rock Eagle, beginning in 2017. He earned a Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management from the University of Georgia in 2009 and holds a bachelor's degree in Crop and Soil Science from UGA. Dwayne is from Oconee County and brings a diversified skill set with certifications in Class IV Drinking and Wastewater, Commercial Pesticide Application, and Pool and Spa Operation. Dwayne is committed to the mission of supporting the programs and facilities of Georgia 4-H and providing positive youth development opportunities.

Carole Knight serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Animal Science Programs.  Carole is responsible for youth livestock programming through Georgia 4-H.  In this role, she coordinates the State Livestock Shows, Livestock Judging, Diary Quiz Bowl, and Dairy Judging.  She also develops and provides training and education for agents and those leading and teaching animal science programming.

Carole holds the rank of Public Service Associate at the University of Georgia.  She began her career with UGA Extension in 2006 as a Beef Cattle Specialist with the Animal and Dairy Science Department. Carole transitioned into a county agent role in 2011 in Bulloch County where she was the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent.  In 2020, she moved to Madison County, where she served as the County Extension Coordinator and Ag and Natural Resources Agent.  Carole was honored to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2020.

Carole is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she received her Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science.  She also earned her Master of Science in Animal Science at UGA. Carole grew up in the Georgia 4-H program and was a three-time Master 4-Her, in project achievement and livestock judging.

Carole lives in Madison County with her husband and son.  They have a farm there where they enjoy producing cattle, pigs and a vegetable garden.

Brittani Lee serves the State 4-H Faculty as the 4-H Program Development Coordinator in Northwest District. In this role, Brittani supports 4-H County Extension Agents and Staff by providing staff development, new agent training, partnerships with public schools, lesson development and curricula
implementation, and program development. Brittani works with the Junior and Senior District Officers and coordinates all district and state events for Northwest District including Project Achievement contests, Junior Conference, Fall Forum, Junior Rally, and Senior Conference.

Brittani received her Master of Art in Teaching with an emphasis in Middle Grades Education from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Georgia College and State University. She began her career in Extension in 2012 where she served as the 4-H Agent in Paulding
County for four years. In 2016, Brittani transferred to Cobb County where she served as the 4-H agent for eight years and became the County Extension Coordinator in 2022. Prior to her career in Extension,  Brittani was a 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Burney Harris Lyons Middle School in Athens, Georgia.

Brittani has a long history with Georgia 4-H. She was an active Rockdale County 4-H’er for eight years.  During her tenure in Rockdale 4-H, Brittani served in many leadership positions at the county, district, and state level including serving as the Central District Junior Board Vice President, Central District Senior Board President, and the Northwest District Representative on the State 4-H Board of Directors.  She is a seven-time Master 4-H’er through Dairy Quiz Bowl, Project Achievement (Wildlife and Marine Sciences), National Conference, and Scholarship. After graduating high school, Brittani served as a Rock Eagle summer camp counselor from 2005-2009. During her time as a summer camp counselor, Brittani served as the Cherokee Mico (2007) and the Sports and Recreation Coordinator (2008).

Brittani and her husband Michael reside in Marietta, Georgia. They are the proud parents of their sons,  Nolan and Drew. Brittani enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, watching reality tv, cheering on the Dawgs, and playing in the Lee Family Fantasy Football League.

Melinda Miller is the 4-H Program Development Coordinator serving 41 counties in UGA Extension’s Southwest District.  As a PDC, Melinda provides training, support and coaching to the 4-H agents, associates and program assistants in the counties located in middle Georgia beginning at Peach and Houston Counties, west to the Alabama line and south to the Florida line along the I-75 corridor.  Southwest District is mostly rural with strong agricultural row crop and vegetable production at its economic core.  Many counties have very active 4-H youth livestock programs with exhibitors showing pigs, goats, cattle and sheep.  Most counties also boast accomplished 4-H SAFE (Shooting Awareness Fun Education) programs with solid particiation in modified trap, archery, air pistol, trap and skeet and BB team events.  County 4-H faculty and staff in SW District offer a variety of issue based programming in agricultural awareness and healthy living, communication and leadership.  4-H programs in SW maintain strong partnerships with public, private and homeschool educational systems.

Melinda is a product of the Georgia 4-H program starting her 4-H journey like most, in 5th grade with a great experience at Cloverleaf Project Achievement.  She was raised on a farm in Lowndes County and became a Master 4-H’er in the Conservation of Natural Resources Project and served as a SW District Senior Board member and State 4-H Officer.  She is an alumna of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, and earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications and Master of Science in Sociology from Valdosta State University.

Prior to joining the SW District team in August 2012, Melinda served as the County Extension Coordinator and  4-H Extension Agent in Lowndes County for 12 years.  Her Extension career began in 1999 at Moody AFB in Lowndes County.  In her role as the Youth Collaboration Project Coordinator, she led one of three fully funded grant programs in the nation supporting the start up of 4-H on USAF installations.  Serving military families is one of many highlights of her Extension career.  In 2008, Miller was nominated by her peers to receive the William H. Booth Award winning the distinguished honor among 4-H agents in SW District and the state of Georgia.  She has also received the Achievement in Service and Distinguished Service Awards from the Georgia and National Associations of Extension 4-H Agents.  She is a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honor Society and the Georgia and National Associations of County Agricultural Agents.

Melinda resides in Valdosta, Georgia, with her husband Tony Miller, an active 4-H volunteer, and their two children Janey and Jon Jon who also enjoy being active 4-H members.

Al is a member of the State 4-H Faculty serving as the 4-H Program Development Coordinator for Northeast District.  Al joined State Staff in November 2009.  Previously, he was a 4-H agent for 12 years serving in Fannin, Union, Towns, Rabun, Baldwin, Greene and Putnam Counties.  Before joining Extension, he had a successful career in radio broadcasting.

His 4-H career began in the fifth grade in Wilkinson County.  He attended District Project Achievement eight years and State 4-H Congress four years in the Poultry Project.  He became an active 4-H Volunteer in 1991 and served as Vice-President, President-Elect and President of the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leader Association.  Al is the only person to ever step down as President of G4-HVLA to become a 4-H Agent.

Al graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism from Georgia College and State University in 1990.  After serving as a 4-H volunteer leader for several years, he decided to return to school to meet the qualifications to become a 4-H Agent.  In 1997, he graduated from the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a Master of Agriculture Extension Education.  In 1998, he began his Extension career.

While serving in Putnam County, he was responsible for the development of an Experiential Learning Garden that has received  numerous awards and grants totaling more than $200,000.00.  The garden is used for 4-H club meetings, an After-School Junior Master Gardener Club, and by teachers and their students everyday.   He also worked with school officials to require all 4th – 8th grade students in Putnam County to participate in the project achievement process.  Over 600 students participated in County Project Achievement and over 125 youth competed at District Project Achievement each year.  This process has been credited with increasing 8th grade Writing Assessment scores.  A video of this success has been created and was distributed to Boards of Education statewide.

During his Extension career, Al has received many awards from his peers including National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Service Award and the JCPenney Excellence in After-school Programming Award.  He was elected to serve as Vice-President of the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Agents in 2008.  The position was a four-year responsibility that included President-Elect, President, and Past-President.  He served as Chairperson for the NAE4-HA Entertainment Committee for the national meeting held in Atlanta in 2007.  He served as Chairperson for the GAE4-HA Oceans of Fun Committee for six years.  OOF provides classes and workshops to the children of school officials attending the annual Georgia Association of Educational Leadership Conference each summer on Jekyll Island.

Al is married to Joan Parker and they live in Eatonton, Georgia.  They have five children:  Eryn, Kari, Brent, Katy and Jenna.

Henry is a Greensboro, North Carolina native and graduated from North Carolina State University in May of 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a bachelor's degree in Statistics. He previously worked with Prometheus Group, a software company in Raleigh, NC, as an IT professional developing and maintaining web applications. These applications aid industrial plants in planning and scheduling maintenance. Henry is excited to support Georgia 4-H programs and employees and make a positive impact on the youth in Georgia.

Ryan Rose serves as a Development Officer for the Georgia 4-H Foundation. Ryan is a lifelong 4-H’er thanks to encouragement from his Grandma, who served as an extension secretary in Boone County, Kentucky. Judging teams and Project Achievement events secured his passion for engaging and fun 4-H programming.

He served five summers in the Georgia 4-H camping program, with two in leadership positions. After graduating from UGA with a degree in Criminal Justice, Ryan worked as a 4-H Military Youth Program Assistant before transitioning to Admissions Counselor at Athens Technical College. Ryan was eventually promoted to Assistant Director for Admissions before transitioning into his role as Development Officer.

Ryan is originally from Augusta, Georgia, but has been living in Athens since 2013. In his free time, Ryan enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and golf.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Education degree from UGA as well as a Master of Elementary Education degree and an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from Clemson. She began her career as a teacher in Toccoa, Georgia, and later continued teaching and eventually serving as the admissions director at St. Joseph Catholic School in Athens. Before joining the 4-H team, she worked with her family at Davis Transfer Company in Carnesville. Stephanie's children all participated in 4-H and her son, Davis, served as a state officer in 2021-2022. She is excited to contribute to the mission of making the best better.

Josie Smith joined the State 4-H Staff as Public Relations Coordinator in November 2021. Prior to coming to Athens, she served for seven years in marketing and communication roles with the Office of College Advancement at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, GA.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gender Studies from Georgia College and State University and an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from ABAC. Prior to her position at ABAC, she served as a Baldwin County 4-H Program Assistant in Milledgeville, GA and a Youth Health Educator with Dekalb Board of Health in Atlanta, GA.

Josie followed a family legacy as a 4-H’er in Tift County and was inspired to join 4-H by her mother, a championship-winning Pennsylvania 4-H’er. She is a six-time Master 4-H’er and her siblings share a combined total of twelve Master awards. She received the Tift County 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award in 2018 and the Georgia State 4-H Volunteer of the Year Finalist Award in 2017.

Michele Svoboda serves as the Georgia 4-H Fiscal Affairs Manager.  In this role, she assists the State 4-H Leader and two Assistant 4-H Leaders by providing oversight of financial activity and business management functions as they relate to Georgia 4-H, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the University of Georgia.

In December of 1994, after graduating from Gwinnett Technical College, Michele began working at the University of Georgia.  During the earlier part of her career, she worked in the Procurement Office, Department of Child and Family Development and Extension Plant Pathology.  In January 2003, Michele transferred to the CAES Business Office accepting the position of Sr. Budget Analyst.  The knowledge and relationships that Michele gained while working in the CAES Business Office prepared her tremendously for her role of lead Business Manager with Georgia 4-H, originally taken in April 2009.  In 2014, Michele left Georgia 4-H for another opportunity with the State Botanical Garden but soon returned to Georgia 4-H as the Business Manager for the Georgia 4-H Foundation.  Now back in the lead Business Manager position for Georgia 4-H, she brings with her the knowledge and experience from every department that connected her to Georgia 4-H.

Michele enjoys spending time with family, camping and traveling.  She lives in Statham, GA with her husband Bill and two cats.  Michele has a daughter that lives in Vancouver Canada and a son that lives in Homer GA.  She also has one grandson and two granddaughters.

Deon Wallace serves as the State 4-H Events and Programs Coordinator for Georgia 4-H. In this role, he works to support the planning, promotion, and execution of the events and activities that serve the more than 240,000 4-H youth in Georgia. He also acts as the State Staff Liaison for Clovers & Co., Georgia 4-H’s premier performing arts group.

Following a family history of 4-H participation, Deon began his 4-H career like many others, in 5th grade, with a successful and fun-filled Cloverleaf Project Achievement. A proud alumnus of the Johnson County 4-H program, Deon served as Senior Club President, was part of a National Championship Consumer Judging Team, and was awarded Johnson County 4-H’er of the Year.

In 2015, Deon received his B.S.F.C.S in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Georgia. While attending UGA, Deon was an active Collegiate 4-Her, Collegiate 4-H President, and served four summers in the Georgia 4-H Camping Program with one summer in a leadership position. Additionally, he was recognized as an Honorary Master 4-Her in 2014.

After graduating from UGA, Deon worked on the catering and events team at Athens Chick-fil-A, pioneering Chick-fil-A’s first-ever food truck. In this return to Georgia 4-H, Deon is excited to plan and execute many of the same events that meant so much to him as a 4-H’er

Deon enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends in his free time. He can also be found on stages throughout the Athens area performing in dance and musical theatre.

Kate Whiting serves as the Extension 4-H Specialist for Animal Science Programs. Kate is responsible for youth equine and poultry programming through Georgia 4-H. In this role, she coordinates the State Horse Show, Horse Judging, Horse Quiz Bowl, Hippology, and Poultry Judging. She also develops and provides training and education for agents and those leading and teaching animal science programming.

Kate holds the rank of Senior Public Service Associate at the University of Georgia. She began her career with UGA Extension in 2006 as the Peach County 4-H Agent. Kate transitioned to her role as Peach County Extension Coordinator and 4-H Agent in 2010. Kate was honored with the William H. Booth Award from the Georgia Association 4-H Youth Development Professionals and Georgia EMC in 2018 and the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals in 2019.

Kate is a graduate of Auburn University, where is received her Bachelor of Science, majoring in Agricultural Business and Economics. She also earned her Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University.

Kate grew up in the Georgia 4-H program and was highly active in equine programs including Horse Judging, Horse Quiz Bowl, Horse Show and Horse School. She resides in Perry, GA were she continues to be active in the equine industry on the national level.

Tracy serves as the main point of contact for donations received into the Georgia 4-H Foundation. As a Development Associate, she works with the fundraising team to ensure that all gifts are received into the correct funds and that tax letters are sent out to the donors. She oversees the recordkeeping for fundraising, interfaces with the Business Office, and serves as a liaison to the University of Georgia Foundation and their donor records.

Tracy’s favorite activities include family time with her 3 adult children, her grand kids, thrift shopping, crafting, and finding joy in by being out in nature.

Charlie Wurst joined the State 4-H Staff in Georgia as Camping and Natural Resources Specialist on July 1, 2006. This marked a homecoming of sorts for Charlie, who was an active 4-H Club member for eight years in Lincoln County; a Georgia 4-H camp counselor and collegiate 4-H’er while attending the University of Georgia; State 4-H Staff program assistant; and, an active 4-H volunteer leader, serving as advisor for the UGA Collegiate 4-H Club and president of the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association.

Charlie received his A.B.J. (Journalism) from the University of Georgia in 1985, and, following his stint in the State 4-H Office, went to work for U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, serving as an aide in the senator’s Atlanta office and as North Georgia Field Representative.  Charlie stayed connected to UGA after his time in Sen. Nunn’s office by joining the Development office at the University, spending eight years as Director of Development for the School of Law and almost five years as a Regional Director for Principal and Major Gifts.

Charlie remains a true believer in 4-H, and not just because it is his job.  “I believe 4-H is one of the very best pathways to success available to our youth, and 4-H camping offers many children their first opportunity to experience a bigger world than they have known previously. “4-H camping helps young people develop emotional intelligence through activities that cannot be conventionally taught but must be experienced.”

Charlie is married to a former 4-H’er and 4-H camp counselor (whom he met at Rock Eagle 4-H Center), has a daughter, 12, who is a 4-H’er, and a daughter, 9, who wants to be a 4-H’er. Time away from work is mostly spent with his family or reading about, watching or even playing some kind of sport.  He lives in Athens and is an active member of Tuckston United Methodist Church and the Athens Area Walk to Emmaus community.

Mackenzie is a University of Georgia graduate who grew up in Clarke County 4-H and spent many years serving and participating in numerous 4-H events and activities. After earning a degree in Human Development and Family science, Mackenzie worked in campus ministry at UGA. Prior to joining the Extension staff, she worked with the 4-H Military partnership, assisting with Military Camp coordination in Colorado. Through summer camp in Georgia and Colorado, Mackenzie has worked alongside volunteers who selflessly contribute to the growth and enrichment of our youth! She is looking forward to continuing to work with all of the outstanding Georgia 4-H volunteers!