A new board member of the Board of Juvenile Justice has been sworn in.

The Department of Juvenile Justice said in a news release that Gov. Nathan Deal administered the oath of office to Kelly Stewart Thursday. Department Commissioner Avery Niles was on hand in the governor's office for the swearing in.

Stewart is the vice president of human resources for an executive search firm in Atlanta and is a Johns Creek city council member. She has also worked as a county administrator, at the University System of Georgia and on Capitol Hill at the U.S. House of Representatives.

She was appointed to the 15-member board by the governor. Board members serve in an advisory capacity to the department and provide leadership and guidance for the commissioner.

Tags: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, juvenile justice, Avery Niles, kelly stewart