Speaker Richardson Announces John Brown as New House Budget Director

ATLANTA – Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) today announced that outgoing House Budget Director Charlie Walker will be replaced by current Assistant Director John Brown.  Walker retired from the position on December 1, 2007, after working for the General Assembly since 1974.

“I thank Speaker Glenn Richardson, Chairman Ben Harbin, Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter, Majority Leader Jerry Keen and all of the members of the Appropriations Committee for their support and trust over the years.  I will always be grateful to them as well as all of the great men and women that I have worked with during my career.   I want to especially thank John Brown, Martha Wigton and the House Budget Office staff for their loyalty and hard work,” said Walker.

Walker will work through the 2008 Legislative Session as a consultant. 

“I am excited to see John as our new budget director position.  I know that by working with Charlie, John has received more than enough experience to be successful in this position.  His expertise will be an asset to all House members, especially our Appropriations Committee,” Richardson said.                          

John Brown graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and has since had significant budget experience.  He has spent many years working with the state budget, particularly in the K-12 and higher education arenas.  Brown has also worked in state government for over 20 years, primarily in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget under the administrations of Governors Harris, Miller, Barnes and Perdue.  Brown then joined the House Budget Office in 2005 as an assistant director to Charlie Walker.  Brown and his wife Cara live in Buford and have four children.