Angela Speir Phelps, Executive Director and Senior Director of the Consumer Energy Program aspeir@georgiawatch.org
In 2002, Angela Speir Phelps became the first woman elected to the Georgia Public Service Commission and the second Republican woman elected to a statewide office in Georgia history. A Georgia native, Angela grew up in Dekalb County and graduated from Agnes Scott College with a B.A. in Biology. She is also a graduate of CEO International.
After graduating from Agnes Scott, Angela served as the Assistant Administrator of the medical complex at the United Methodist Children’s Home providing medical aid and counseling to abused children. She first ran for public office in 1992 as a candidate for the Georgia State Senate.
Angela’s victory in 2002, winning the statewide election to the Commission, led to many victories for consumers. She championed fairness, transparency, and accountability while serving on the Commission. She fought for open government and passed an “ex parte” rule to prohibit private conversations between commissioners and utility lobbyists. Angela’s efforts on behalf of the people of Georgia have been recognized in many publications across the country and she has been awarded numerous distinctions and honors for her service to the people of Georgia. Georgia Trend magazine recognized Angela as one of their 100 Notable Georgians. She received the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Hero of Open Government Award and has been named one of Georgia’s Most Influential Women by the Georgia Informer. Angela was recognized by WSB as a “Political Role Model” for her ethics, integrity, and dedication to Georgia. The Council on Aging awarded her their Community Service Award for her efforts on behalf of senior adults. Angela is also the 2009 recipient of the Common Cause Democracy Award. The award is given in honor of her noble service and fight for good government.
On January 1, 2009, Angela joined the team at Georgia Watch – in July she became the group’s executive director. She also serves as the senior director of the Consumer Energy Program.
“Georgia Watch’s Phelps builds legacy of service,” Atlanta Business Chronicle, December 4, 2009.
Holly Lang, Hospital Accountability Project Director
hlang@georgiawatch.org
Holly Lang was born and raised in a small town in South Georgia. She attended Georgia State University, where she studied economic philosophy and print journalism. She has worked for a variety of news organizations, including the Birmingham Post-Herald, the Associated Press and Scripps Howard News Service. As a journalist, Holly worked both nationally and internationally and won several industry awards for her work in health policy and politics. She has authored four books, and was the founding editor of an Atlanta-based award winning online news magazine.
In August 2007, Holly joined Georgia Watch, the state’s leading consumer advocacy organization, where she has heads the organization’s health policy efforts through the Hospital Accountability Project. Having lived in poorer parts of Georgia most of her life, she knows well the challenges uninsured and low-income consumers face when attempting to access affordable health care in the state. As is the case in many small Georgia towns, options for low-cost care in Lang’s hometown were almost nonexistent, yet numerous public health challenges plagued her family and neighbors. Through advocacy, consumer outreach and research, she has built upon those experiences at Georgia Watch and works avidly to lessen the barriers to affordable care for vulnerable populations.
Clare McGuire, Senior Counsel and Director of the Consumer Energy Program
cmcguire@georgiawatch.org
Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, Clare moved to Georgia in 1989 to attend Emory Law School. She holds a B.S. in economics with a minor in philosophy from Manhattan College, from which she graduated Magna Cum Laude. After finishing law school, Clare’s career began in Savannah at the District Attorney’s Office. She then moved back to Atlanta to work for the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs. In 2002, Clare was assigned to the Consumers’ Utility Counsel, where she began advocating for the state’s utility customers. Three years later, she was hired as a staff attorney with the Georgia Public Service Commission. As a staff attorney at several of Georgia’s regulatory bodies for almost two decades, Clare has garnered a vast working knowledge of the bureaucratic process that occurs within the state’s utility industry. And as an advocate fighting for fair procedure and equitable rates, Clare has represented the interests of approximately nine million Georgians.
In January 2010, Clare joined our watchdog team at Georgia Watch as the director of the Consumer Energy Program and senior counsel. At Georgia Watch, Clare works to give Georgians a voice in the energy debate by intervening in billion dollar rate cases that come before the PSC. Georgia Watch’s presence at these hearings will allow for more transparency and accountability at the commission.
Karla Johnson, Outreach Coordinator
Karla is the newest member to join Georgia Watch, a statewide consumer advocacy organization, as grassroots coordinator. Karla is a true native of Georgia, having lived in Atlanta her entire life. The daughter of a truck driver, Karla knows the importance of hard work and perseverance. She also understands non-profits have been the catalyst for civic participation and the voice of the people. Karla received her Bachelor of Arts from Clayton State University, where she studied communication and media studies.
Karla worked for the State of Georgia for ten years, first at the State Board of Workers Compensation and then at the state capitol, where she earned majority of her tenure. Whether tasked with the job of signing-up students to serve as a page at the capitol or aiding in the passage of a bill or resolution, Karla has a solid understanding of the practices and policies under the Gold Dome. She has worked through the years with many legislators and advocacy groups and brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience and relevant expertise to her role as grassroots coordinator. Within her role, Karla works hard to engage everyday people in matters that impact their lives by speaking at community outreach events. Karla is also a member of Leadership Georgia, class of 2012.
