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WASHINGTON — Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Ph.D., a LaPlace native, was among the individuals appointed to senior staff positions in Washington D.C., the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week.

Dr. Brown Reynolds has been appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Operations in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Dr. Brown Reynolds previously served as Executive Counsel to Georgia’s Governor, and Chief of Staff and Executive Counsel to Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor. With service in all three branches of state government, Dr. Brown Reynolds has 30 years of senior management experience overseeing operations of large departments. She has served as a Chief Legal Officer, Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor on a wide array of issues, and as a state trial court judge. In 2018, Dr. Brown Reynolds received a dual appointment with the University System of Georgia, serving as an adjunct faculty member at Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Most recently, she worked as a licensed mediator, arbitrator and practicing attorney. Dr. Brown Reynolds holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Nova Southeastern University, a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law, a master’s degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center and a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University.