GEORGIA PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE
July 21, 2016
Contact Benita Dodd at 404-256-4050 or
Attorney Ross Coker Joins Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Atlanta – The Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Georgia’s only free-market, state-focused public policy research organization, is pleased to announce the addition of Ross Coker as Research and Outreach Director.
Coker earned his B.A. in political science at Auburn University and his law degree at Pepperdine University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of California and practiced in Washington, D.C., before joining the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.
Coker’s primary focus is the Foundation’s Criminal Justice Initiative.
“The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has a proud history of championing criminal justice reform since our inception 25 years ago,” said Kelly McCutchen, president and CEO of the Foundation. “Tragic recent events around the nation have reinforced the need for us to intensify our focus on criminal justice policies; the addition of Ross to our staff will enable us to do just that.”
In 2012, Governor Nathan Deal credited the Foundation with launching the initiative for bipartisan criminal justice reform in Georgia. Since then, elected officials have worked to return productive adults and juveniles into their communities, with reforms focused on sentencing, family cohesion and education and work skills for those under correctional supervision.
“The Foundation’s Criminal Justice Initiative pushed the problems to the forefront, proposed practical solutions, brought in leaders from other states to share examples, and created this nonpartisan opportunity.” — Governor Nathan Deal, at the signing of the 2012 Criminal Justice Reform bill
About the Georgia Public Policy Foundation: The Foundation, which celebrates 25 years in Georgia in 2016, is an independent, state-focused think tank that proposes market-oriented approaches to public policy to improve the lives of Georgians. Regular events include Leadership Breakfasts and Policy Briefing Luncheons. Weekly publications are the Friday Facts and Friday Idea commentaries. Visit our Web site at georgiapolicy.org. Join The Forum at forum.georgiapolicy.org. Like the Foundation’s Facebook page; follow us on Twitter and Instagram.