Member Biographies

Chairman - Brig Simmons

Brig Simmons, a Georgia native and resident of Douglas County for over 38 years, is a retired Criminal Investigator with IRS. Following retirement he has operated his own business focusing upon computer forensics and financial investigation. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Enrolled Agent for practice before IRS and licensed private investigator. He is active in community affairs and volunteers time with various organizations. 

He and his wife, Kathy, have volunteered more than 30 years with the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. They have one son and two grandchildren who reside in the county. He feels that the time is now to give back to Douglas County by working with County leaders to help frame the future.

Member - Orrick Curry

Orrick Curry is a retired veteran with 27 years of distinguished service in the United States Army and and 21 years of distinguished service in the City of Atlanta Police Department. Orrick has been recognized for his service with awards for Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.  In 2019, he and several other APD officers were recognized with Atlanta Police Department Commendation for Clippers and Cops for their interaction and open dialogue with the community in barber shops. 

After retiring, he is busy volunteering with a number of civic associations and non-profit organizations.  Orrick is an alumnus of the Leadership Douglas Class of 2019 and the HOA President of Villages of Brookmont in Douglasville. Orrick holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.  He is a proud father and grandfather of one son and two grandkids.  He is a native of Jackson, Tennessee who now proudly calls Douglas County his home. 

Member - Brandon Pennamon

Brandon Derrick Pennamon is a 24 year old, Douglasville Georgia native. He is a current Junior at Liberty University. Since his early years of high school Brandon has had a passion for the youth and the betterment of future generations. 

Mentoring Programs

After being raised in a single parent household he realized an inherent calling on his life to work with the youth and help restore young men to their rightful position as the head of the family. To accomplish these goals, he founded a Community Development Group entitled: "F.I.T. For the Future" and an all-male mentoring program entitled: "The M.E.N.S. Club". Through FIT For the Future and The MENS Club Brandon has been able to host multiple events, initiatives, and programs that have actively engaged Douglasville, Douglas County, and other surrounding areas. 

His main area of focuses is his male mentoring program, The M.E.N.S. Club. He meets with these young men, ages 6 to 12, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week for 2 hours per day. During these session he works with them on homework, spends time playing sports with them, and teaches them life skills such as table etiquette, how to tie a tie, how to change a tire and a number of other things that young men need to know at a young age.

Member - Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas has lived in the Douglas County area for over 10 years. He relocated here after serving for 21 years on active duty military, stationed throughout the country and abroad. Currently, he works as a Commercial Real Estate Specialist. His hands-on experience, while working with clients, reveled the impact of zoning and variance decisions on everyday people’s livelihood, businesses and quality of life. His servant mentality has guided him to serve on the board of the Douglas County Planning and Zoning Committee Member. By having an input in Douglas County’s development and growth allows him to use his time and talents for the greater good of the County. 

With a forward-looking view of the future of Douglasville, his commitment to a fair and transparent process will guide him throughout his tenured.

Member - Teresa Noles

Teresa Noles, is a Georgia native and a descendant of six generations of Georgians before her. Born and raised in Atlanta, she and her family have called Douglas County home for over 35 years. Teresa carried her love for Georgia throughout her twenty-nine year career with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as she served in the Community Development Division, more specifically with the Community Development Block Grant program. During her years with DCA, she traveled extensively throughout the state of Georgia providing technical assistance to local governments as they strived to improve their communities by way of: 

  • Health Departments
  • Housing Rehab for Low-Income Residents
  • Improved Roads and Drainage Projects
  • Improved Water and/or Sewer Systems
  • Mental Health Facilities
  • Senior Citizens Centers
  • Etc.

Upon retirement, Teresa desired to become involved in her own community and served as a Citizen Stakeholder during the process of updating the County’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan.  She currently serves as a member of the Douglas County Cemetery Preservation Commission where she has learned to appreciate those that have gone before us and helped make Douglas County what it is today. She feels Douglas County is a jewel and is blessed with unique natural beauty that should be showcased as we seek to attract new residents and businesses into our area.

Member - J. Frank Payne, Jr.

J. Frank Payne, Jr. has been a residence of Douglas County for over 38 years. Frank has worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Environmental Protection Specialist/Contract Compliance Specialist. He specialized in compliance while independently planning and conducting complex compliance reviews within the eight state region. He developed and implemented the region’s Small Business Minority and Women’s Enterprise Program. Frank served as Special Assistant to The Mayor of the City of Atlanta where he worked with city council members and department heads regarding the status and the presentation of new legislation. Frank also worked with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) as a Community Relations Officer where he met with the Board of Commissioners and City Councils for Dekalb County, Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. 

He acted as the communication liaison with elected/appointed officials to resolve major problems and concerns while developing community relationships to identify issues and promote new services. Within the past 38 years as a resident of Douglas County he has observed the magnitude of the county’s growth. Frank will use the wealth of his experience to maximize continued positive progress and growth in the county.

Member - Kirk Nicholson

Kirk Nicholson is the Capital Improvements Coordinator for the Douglas County School System.  He serves on the Planning and Zoning Board as a liaison to the Douglas County Board of Education.