Mike Beatty

• Great Promise Partnership
• President & CEO

August 1, 2013 was Mike Beatty's first day on his new adventure. He retired from service to the state, as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, on July 31st. He now leads the non-profit organization, Great Promise Partnership, developed during his tenure at DCA as a partnership to address persistent poverty and workforce development needs around the state.

He was appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs by Governor Sonny Perdue in June 2003 and reappointed to serve by Governor Nathan Deal in January 2011. Known for his leadership skills in education, business and government, Commissioner Beatty's background provided him a unique perspective of the challenges facing our state's local communities.

Prior to his service as DCA Commissioner, Mike Beatty worked as an educator and businessman. As an educator, Commissioner Beatty taught history and coached football for eight years in Northeast Georgia schools. As a businessman, he and his wife Judy started and operated several small businesses, including a poultry and cattle farm.

His initial government service was as an elected leader. As a state legislator, Commissioner Beatty served northeast Georgia in both the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. During his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, his hard work on numerous issues was recognized by his constituents and several organizations, including the Georgia Family Council and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.