Amy Carter

Amy Carter
Deputy Commissioner, Rural Georgia Initiatives
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Amy Carter serves as the Deputy Commissioner, Rural Georgia Initiatives for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Carter was appointed to this role by Governor Nathan Deal in March 2018. She leads state efforts to help rural Georgia communities become more competitive for economic development projects and identifies new strategies for attracting jobs and investment.

Most recently, Carter served as Executive Director of Stewardship and Development for the Technical College System of Georgia. From November 2006 until December 2017, Carter represented House District 175, which includes Brooks County and parts of Lowndes and Thomas counties, in the Georgia General Assembly. During her service, Carter served in numerous leadership capacities including Floor Leader for Governor Nathan Deal, Chairman of Governmental Affairs, and later, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Carter also served as the chair of the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Commission in 2016 and was a member of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Education, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education, and the Small Business Development committees.

Carter began her career as a Business and Office Technology Instructor at Valdosta Technical College and served as a teacher at Lowndes High School for more than 16 years. In recognition of her efforts in education, she has received the Lowndes County Schools Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Educators Legislator of the Year Award, and the Georgia School Counselors Association Legislator of the Year Award.

Carter’s roots run deep within her community. She is a graduate of Valdosta State University, an alumna of Leadership Lowndes and Leadership Georgia, and serves on the First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet. She was named Valdosta Woman of the Year in 2002 and Brooks County Woman of the Year in 2014.  Carter was awarded the inaugural Leadership Georgia Dale Threadgill Community Service Award in 2004, the 2011-12 Liberty Bell Award by the Valdosta Bar Association, the Loyce W. Turner Public Service Award in 2012, and the Above and Beyond Award from 4-H in support of Youth Development Education in 2012.  Carter also holds an Honorary State FFA Degree and was named as one of only four “Power Women” in the state by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2013.

Amy Carter loves spending time with her family in her hometown of Valdosta, Georgia where she serves faithfully as a Deacon of First Christian Church.