GVRA Selects Veteran Leaders to Manage District Offices

March 24, 2023

ATLANTA – The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) recently appointed two new leaders to manage offices in District One and District Three, respectively.

Matthew Salmon, who most recently was the interim manager in District One, is now the permanent leader of that office. He will oversee vocational rehabilitation services, transition activities, and stakeholder engagement in Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Dawson, Pickens, Cherokee, Gordon, Bartow, Paulding, Haralson, Polk, Floyd, and Chattooga counties.

“I am pleased to announce Matthew Salmon will lead GVRA’s District One office.  Matthew brings extensive experience in vocational rehabilitation services and transition activities to his new role,” says Chris Wells, executive director of GVRA.  “He has served successfully in an interim manager position, so I am certain he will bring that same enthusiasm to his permanent role,” Wells noted.

Salmon is a veteran state government employee and has served as a transition counselor, team lead, and supervisor. He also has worked on several collaborative teams and assisted with training and development.

Salmon is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s in exercise science and wellness and he holds a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Kentucky.

He and his wife Abbagale are the proud parents of a daughter, Mara Jade, and a son, Revan. They reside in Summerville, along with their German Shepherd “Starbuck” and Dalmatian “Delilah”.

Tamika Wright, who just completed a brief stint as the interim director of residential services for Roosevelt Warm Springs and Cave Spring, has been tapped to lead the District Three Office.  Wright brings more than 25 years of experience in state government to her new position.  During her career with GVRA, she has served as a district manager, assistant director of field service, rehabilitation unit manager, and transition counselor. 

“It gives me great pleasure to announce Tamika Wright will manage GVRA’s District Three office. As a veteran state employee with over 25 years of experience in counseling and rehabilitation, she is an ideal choice to lead the district,” says Wells.  “Tamika admirably served as interim director of residential services for Roosevelt Warm Springs and Cave Spring campuses, so she is uniquely poised to oversee District Three operations. Her ability to motivate team members combined with her vast understanding of rehabilitation and transition services will serve her well in this new role,” Wells stated.                                                                                        

In District Three, Wright will head an office that includes metro Atlanta’s largest school systems.  She will oversee vocational rehabilitation services and transition activities.  She will work closely with local school leaders and community stakeholders in Forsyth, N. Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Clayton, Rockdale, and Henry counties.   

Wright earned a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s in counseling from the University of Tennessee. She currently holds a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.

Wright resides in Chattanooga with her husband, Dr. James Wright, and their two children, Alexandria and Tyler.

Media Contact: Carla Murphy, Director of Communications/Public Affairs Officer, [email protected]