Stacey Peace Named State ADA Coordinator Effective January 1, Mike Galifianakis Resigns After 20 years of Service

Georgia’s State Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator’s Office announced that Mike Galifianakis, the State ADA Coordinator, resigned effective December 31, 2018. Stacey Valrie Peace, who previously served as Assistant ADA Coordinator, has been promoted into the role.

Galifianakis was named State ADA Coordinator in August 1999. Prior to his appointment, Galifianakis operated his own law firm, specializing in disability law. His experience includes serving as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, working as an agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and working at the Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center.

Under his tenure, the office offered comprehensive training and technical assistance programs for state agency ADA Coordinators, State Fire Marshals, code officials, human resource professionals, facility directors and administrators. The office also began hosting an annual ADA Conference for state and local governments. Additionally, the State ADA Coordinator partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology's AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Research Center, and the Georgia Technology Authority to create AccessGA, whose purpose is to support Georgia state agencies with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility, promoting equal and timely access for employees and customers with a wide range of disabilities.

Stacey Valrie Peace will succeed Galifianakis effective January 1, 2019. Prior to becoming the State ADA Coordinator, Peace was the Assistant State ADA Coordinator for 13 years. Peace comes with previous experience as a legal representative for individuals seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Spelman College, a Master of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia, School of Law.

About the State ADA Coordinator
The State ADA Coordinator’s office mission is to provide comprehensive educational and technical support for State agencies so that those programs, services and activities operated by the State of Georgia are accessible and usable by everyone. The State ADA Coordinator's Office operates as a division under the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission.

About the Georgia State Financing & Investment Commission
The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) is responsible for the issuance of all public debt for the state. The Construction Division oversees capital outlay projects and provides construction management services to state entities. The Construction Division also offers Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance assistance to state entities through the services of the State ADA Coordinator. The Financing and Investment Division performs all services related to the issuance of general obligation bonds, investing of and accounting for bond proceeds, guaranteed revenue debt, providing financial advisory services to state authorities, and publishes the annual debt management plan.