Kemp expands coronavirus task force with community outreach committee

February 28, 2020 - Atlanta -  Governor Brian Kemp addressed the newly formed Governor's Coronavirus Task Force.  Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

February 28, 2020 - Atlanta - Governor Brian Kemp addressed the newly formed Governor's Coronavirus Task Force. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has expanded the state’s coronavirus task force once again, now adding a committee focused on community outreach.

The governor’s office announced the members of the new 16-person Community Outreach Committee Sunday.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus in Georgia

Initially created in February before Georgia had a single confirmed case of the illness, the Governor's Coronavirus Task Force panels were focused on addressing the disease's impact on the economy, healthcare network, emergency preparedness and the needy, AJC.com previously reported.

RELATED: Kemp expands Georgia's coronavirus task force as pandemic spreads

The creation of the new committee comes as the state continues to put measures into place to fight COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.  As of Sunday morning, the virus had sickened more than 6,000 Georgians and killed 200 more.

"Comprised of talented individuals from the public and private sectors, I am confident this committee will ensure that our state remains prepared in the fight against COVID-19," Kemp said.

The members of the new committee are:

Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center - Co-Chair 
Leo Smith, Presidentof  Engaged Futures Group, LLC - Co-Chair 
Santiago Marquez, President and CEO of Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 
Representative Calvin Smyre, Dean of the Georgia House of Representatives 
Leona Barr-Davenport, President and CEO of Atlanta Business League 
Nancy Flake Johnson, President and CEO of Urban League of Greater Atlanta 
Reverend Tim McDonald III, Pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church - Moreland Avenue 
Pastor Reggie Joiner, CEO and Founder of Orange 
Tres Hamilton, CEO of Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority 
Natalie Keng, Founder and CEO of Chinese Southern Belle, LLC 
Jasmine Crowe, Founder and CEO of Goodr, Inc. 
Dr. Wayne S. Morris - Internal Medicine/Geriatrics 
Laura Mathis, Executive Director of Middle Georgia Regional Commission 
Rodney D. Bullard, Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation 
Jacob Vallo, Senior Director of Transit Oriented Development and Real Estate for MARTA 
Sunny Patel, Operations Manager of the Office of the Governor

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