Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Oscar “Bo” Fears as the new Commissioner of Banking and Finance, and Dr. Fran Dundore as Director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA).
The appointments, which take effect Sept. 1, were made to replace Commissioner Kevin Hagler, who is retiring at the end of August, and Ian Caraway, who is returning to his post in the Governor’s Office as Director of Policy and External Affairs.
Currently serving as the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Finance, Fears oversees the department’s information technology, security, and project management, as well as the development of its policies and procedures.
Fears previously worked for the Georgia Attorney General’s office for 16 years and has served as a group leader for the Business and Finance Section of the Commercial Transactions and Litigation Division.
“Marty, the girls, and I want to thank Bo for his years of dedicated service to the state as he steps into this new leadership role,” Kemp said in a press release. “We’re excited for his contributions to the department and are also incredibly thankful for the decades of valued service given by Kevin Hagler. As he prepares to enjoy a well-earned retirement, we wish him and his family continued happiness.”
Kemp further extended his gratitude to Dundore, who will continue working with students, teachers, and families in her new role at GOSA.
“Her decades of experience in both the classroom and public service make her uniquely qualified to succeed in this role and ensure our state is empowering our next generation with the greatest gift we can give them: a strong educational foundation.”
Dundore has worked at GOSA since 2022 and has overseen the Governor’s Honors Program which provides students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment. Beginning her career in Stephens County as a high school English teacher, Dundore has spent the last 28 years serving public schools and their students across the state.
Kemp also showered praise on Caraway, writing in a statement that he has been “an important member of Team Kemp.”
“His brief time at GOSA has already made that office stronger, and Marty and I are thankful that his breadth of knowledge on education and workforce matters will continue to benefit my office and the entire state,” the Governor said.
