Governor announces inaugural leadership

After being re-elected to his second term, Gov. Nathan Deal today tapped the leadership of his inaugural team to plan and execute the inauguration ceremony and other related events. Banks and Missy Burgess, parents of the late Deal campaign field staffer Mack Burgess, will serve as honorary chairs.

Tom Willis, executive director

Willis served as the 2014 Deal for Governor campaign manager for the last two years. Prior to that, he worked in the governor’s office in various capacities and as his personal assistant on the 2010 campaign. A Gainesville native, Willis is a graduate of Sewanee University of the South and Gainesville High School.

Tricia Pridemore, co-chair

Pridemore is a Marietta-based businesswoman with a background in technology companies. She served as the executive director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development. During her tenure at GOWD, she launched Go Build Georgia, Operation: Workforce and a host of successful programs helping Georgians re-enter the workforce. Most recently, Pridemore was a candidate for Congress in Georgia's 11th District. She and her husband, Michael, live in Marietta.

Edens Davis, co-chair

Davis holds a decade of experience in Georgia politics, having served as a staff member for the Republican Governors Association and the gubernatorial campaigns of Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia Senate Pro Tempore Eric Johnson and most recently Gov. Nathan Deal. For Deal, Davis served on his transition team, inaugural committee, local government liaison and then as a policy adviser in the areas of natural resources, transportation, economic development and agriculture. Currently, he is the director of Government Relations for Connect South. Davis graduated from Emory University with a bachelor of arts in Political Science. He and his wife, Kirsten, are active at Capital City Club, Peachtree Presbyterian Church and several other charitable organizations in Atlanta.