State of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently reappointed  Dougherty County Board of Commissioner Chairman, Christopher S. Cohilas, to serve as a  member of the Dougherty County Public Defender Supervisory Panel (GPDSC), for a term of  office expiring July 1, 2027. This marks Cohilas second appointed term to the panel. 

The Georgia Public Defender Council exists to advocate for the best possible outcome for low income individuals accused of crimes and to improve their defense. Previously appointed to the 

GPDSC by former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in 2017, and subsequently elected chair of the  entire statewide organization, Cohilas holds an extensive history of service on the panel. 

“All citizens who cannot afford an attorney deserve to be provided with an attorney who can as sist them in improving their defense against crimes accused,” said Cohilas. “I am honored an ap preciative of Governor Kemp to allow me to continue to serve on the panel for such a needed or ganization in our state.” 

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in  Criminal Justice, Cohilas holds his Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University’s College  of Law. He is currently serving his second term as Chairman of the Dougherty County Board of  Commissioners with intention to seek a third term during this year’s election.  

Named as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2018,  Cohilas has served locally as past President and Chairman of the Artesian City Sertoma Club,  Co-Chairperson of the Martin Luther King Day Celebration Committee, and President of the for mer Darton State College Foundation. A founding member of the Lily Pad SANE Center, a child  abuse/sexual assault center that currently serves abused women and children throughout South west Georgia, Cohilas was awarded the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service in  2019.  

Known for his leadership and support for the Albany-Dougherty community through three sepa rate Presidentially declared major natural disasters occurring in 2017 and 2018, Cohilas is the  proud father of four, Christopher, Nicholas, Michael, and Isabella.