Speaker - March 14, 2014

Brian P Kemp
Georgia Secretary of State

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a lifelong resident of Athens, is a graduate of Clarke Central High School and of the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.

Brian Kemp has been Secretary of State since January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient, secure and accessible elections, the registration of corporations, the oversight and regulation of securities and the administration of professional license holders.

Kemp is committed to utilizing fiscally conservative business principles, implementing technology throughout each division and removing government red tape and regulations that block economic growth and recovery and job growth. Kemp has implemented many e-government solutions allowing the agency to communicate more efficiently with Georgia businesses, reduce the time businesses spend on paperwork, reduce costs to Georgia’s taxpayers and deter corporate identity theft.
During his career, Kemp has helped found and develop many small businesses. Today, among his numerous business interests, he is the owner of Kemp Properties, a small business specializing in real estate investments and property management.

Secretary Kemp served in the Georgia State Senate from 2002-2006. Among his many accomplishments, he led efforts to cut wasteful spending and streamline government, cut red tape and support small business growth, protect the HOPE Scholarship and promote early learning efforts, and preserve our water resources and green space.

In the Senate, Brian served in committee leadership roles including Chair of Public Safety & Homeland Security, Vice-Chair of Higher Education, and Secretary of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. He also served as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Brian, 50, is married to the former Marty Argo of Athens. They are the proud parents of three daughters and are actively involved in various school activities with their children and various charities. The Kemps are active members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens.