Homeland Security History

The Homeland Security Task Force was created by Governor Roy Barnes by verbal announcement on October 25, 2001. Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Bill Hitchens Director of Homeland Security on January 9, 2003 and established Homeland Security Director as a cabinet level position. The Office of Homeland Security (OHS) was established by Executive Order on January 13, 2003, at which time the office included the Homeland Security Task Force, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC).

On August 25, 2004, Governor Perdue established the Georgia Homeland Security Central Command by Executive Order. In March 2005, OHS and GEMA were merged by GEMA Director Mike Sherberger. On May 3, 2006 Governor Perdue appointed Terry Nesbitt Director of Homeland Security and Charley English Director of GEMA. On September 10, 2007, Governor Perdue appointed Charley English as Director of Homeland Security.