Lawmakers Staff


Jose Avila-Kelly, Assistant Director and House Director

Former Lawmakers intern Jose Avila-Kelly returns for his second season of Lawmakers for 2010 as Assistant Director and House Director. Jose has worked for WGCL-TV, CBS 46 News, and as the Television Production Coordinator at University of West Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications along with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of West Georgia.



Adam Bridges, Production Assistant

Adam received his bachelor of arts in communication and media studies from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. He edited for the student newspaper and tutored fellow students in multiple areas. He possesses an ardor for learning, research, and news media. He is extremely excited about being a part of the Lawmakers team and he desires to pursue a diverse career within the television industry.



Kevin Clay, Video Operator

Kevin Clay is in his second year as part of the Lawmakers production team. He joined the GPB staff as video technician/tape operator in March 2008. Born and raised in Birmingham, with a BA in Communications from the University of Alabama, Kevin spent 14 ½ years at the UA Center for Public Television and Radio, working on programs for Alabama Public Television.




Jan Doles, Production Administration and Inscriber Graphics

A 35-year data processing and administrative professional and a 10-year veteran of GPB, Jan Doles is the "Jack of Most Trades" in the production division. From lower third graphics to directing on-air fund raising drives, to assisting the assistant general manager, production manager and producers, Jan is the "go-to" person when you need the small stuff done. Born in New York and raised in Washington, DC, she has been a "Georgia Peach" for 21 years and returns for her 3rd season as part of the Lawmakers team.


Valarie Edwards, GPB Reporter

Returning for her second season on Lawmakers is GPB radio's Valarie Edwards.  Valarie previously reported on the Georgia legislature during the '08 session, filing stories for both GPB and WABE.  A New Yorker by birth, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science/pre-law from San Francisco's Golden Gate University, and a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley.



Lara Fawaz, Production Assistant

Lara is a recent graduate of Auburn University where she received her B.A. in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. In her last semester at Auburn she interned with Dateline NBC and Peacock Productions in New York. This only furthered her passion to work in television and she is thrilled to be able to continue to pursue her dream by being part of the 2010 Lawmakers team.



Alan Friedman, Production Assistant

Alan, undeterred his first time around, returns for his second season of Lawmakers. He simply can't get enough. Outside of GPB, Alan is a full-time wedding photographer and newspaper photojournalist. He is happy to get a break from the fast-paced, frenetic world of shooting weddings to work in the fast-paced, frenetic world of doing live television. Alan holds a Bachelor's degree in Film/Video from Georgia State University.



Emanuel Garrett, Engineer in Charge

Bio Coming Soon







Dan Hodlick, Director

Dan Hodlick returns for his sixth season as part of the Lawmakers staff, and his second season as the program's director. Dan is a 18-year veteran of the PBS network, as well as a seasoned Director and Technical Director for numerous national televised sporting events. When he's not in the Director's chair, Dan is either behind the lens as a Videographer, working as an Editor or serving as a Producer or Executive Producer on GPB's numerous original productions.



Susan Hoffman, Co-Anchor

Emmy-award winning Susan Hoffman returns to Lawmakers in 2010. She has previously co-anchored the program from 1995 until 2003. Susan is a freelance correspondent, writer and producer. She wrote and produced Speaker Of The House: The Thomas B. Murphy Story. Susan previously held television positions in Idaho Falls, Idaho; San Jose, California; and Washington, D. C. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a major in communications and a minor in graphic art.



Kyle Hood, Senate Director

Former Lawmakers intern Kyle Hood returns to Lawmakers for 2010 as Senate Director. Kyle also assists in the Streaming and Help Desk departments at Georgia Public Broadcasting. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies from Clayton State University.





Keocia Howard, Production Assistant

Keocia Howard returns for her third season as part of the Lawmakers team. She has worked in many different capacities at GPB and done just about every internship offered! With her dedication, upbeat personality, and “won’t stop” attitude, this self-proclaimed Diva’s future looks promising. Keocia graduated from Georgia State University in May of 2009, with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and minor in Sociology.




Sammy Jones, Line Producer/Assignment Editor

Sammy Jones returns for his fifth season as a part of the Lawmakers team and his fourth season as Line Producer. He first joined GPB as a Lawmakers intern in 2006. Sammy is a native Georgian and a 2005 graduate of the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at UGA.




Hampton Kicklighter, Technical Director

Bio Coming Soon







Nwandi Lawson, Co-Anchor

Emmy Award-winning Nwandi Lawson returns for her tenth season on Lawmakers and her sixth as the show’s co-anchor. Her work for Georgia Public Broadcasting includes reporting for Georgia Business Report, producing the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards from 1999 through 2005, and serving as coordinating producer for Irasshai, an award-winning Japanese language series. Nwandi is a magna cum laude graduate of Howard University.



Wesley Nichols, Photographer

The 2010 legislative session marks the beginning of Wesley Nichols tenth year as a member of the Lawmakers staff. A 2001 graduate of the University of Georgia, Wesley majored in telecommunication production and having a good time.





Evan Seitz, Editor

Evan Seitz returns for his second season of Lawmakers and first as the show's Chief Editor. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Georgia College State University.






Glen Simmonds, Audio Director

Bio Coming Soon







Terri Wahlquist, Production Assistant

Terri Wahlquist Joining for her first season as part of the Lawmakers team as an editor and camera operator. Graduated from Chattahoochee Technical College in June 2009 and received her Associates in Television Production. Previously interned with CBS Atlanta News where she edited and helped on shoots out in the field.




Daryl Wattley, Lighting Director

Bio Coming Soon







Ashlie Wilson, Managing Editor and Executive Producer

Emmy Award-winning Ashlie Wilson returns for her thirteenth season as part of the Lawmakers team and fourth as the show's Managing Editor and Executive Producer. She produced the program from 1999 through 2006. A Georgia native, she holds a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Communication from Kennesaw State University, where she was recognized as Distinguished Alumna in 2008.



Mitchell Zastrow, Photographer

Mitchell Zastrow returns to the Capitol for the Lawmakers program after more than a decade away from the gold dome. He regularly works on many other GPB programs, including documentaries, Georgia Outdoors and Georgia Traveler.