Deal names executive director of Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed state Trooper Braxton T. Cotton as the executive director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, effective July 16. As executive director, Cotton will oversee and administer tens of millions of dollars in federal criminal justice and victim services grants, and will serve as an adviser to the governor on issues that directly impact the criminal justice system of Georgia. Cotton replaces Barbara Lynn Howell, who will assume the position of administrative law judge at the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

Braxton T. Cotton
Cotton has served in the Georgia State Patrol since 2007. Prior to his service within the GSP, Cotton worked as deputy sheriff and as a detective in the Baldwin County Sherriff’s Department in Milledgeville, where he won the 2004 Officer of the Year Award. In 2003, the Baldwin County Solicitor’s Office selected him for the Meritorious Service Award. Cotton has also completed various training levels in the U.S. Army, where he has served as a brigade assistant as well as platoon leader. During his time in the U.S. Army, he was awarded with the Army Achievement Medal. He received an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Military College, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University (Fort McPherson) and is currently studying to obtain his master’s in public policy. He and his wife, Danielle, have two children. They reside in Atlanta.