Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is governed by a 18-member governing board that includes a representative from every county in the agency’s service area. They are appointed by county leadership, primarily by each county’s respective Board of Commissioners.
The board has an executive committee who are selected by board members. Members serve three-year terms, and terms are staggered to ensure continuity of governance.
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health’s board meets every other month (six times each year). As a quasi-governmental state agency, we are subject to Open Meetings and all Governing board meetings are open to the public and announced in advance. The full governing board meets beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Highland Rivers Behavioral Health FY2026 Governing Board
The Highland Rivers Behavioral Health governing board includes individuals who have family members with mental illness, addictive disease or developmental disabilities, as well as representatives from the judicial system, family services, private industry, law enforcement, local government, and healthcare services.
Chinwe Okoronkwo
Chair
Cobb County
Dr. John Fuchko,III
Vice Chair
Whitfield County
Lori Rakes
Treasurer
Bartow County
Kenneth Hollaran
Secretary
Gordon County
Dr. Brian Hightower
Cherokee County
Vacant
Michael Register
Cobb County
Pete Quinones
Cobb County
Vacant
Vacant
Fannin County
Allison Watters
Floyd County
Devon Smyth
Director of Community Engagement, Berry College
Vacant
Karen Sparks
Haralson County
Jimmy Davenport
Murray County
Steve Grimsley
Paulding County
Vacant
Kiki Evans
Polk County