Gov. Sonny Perdue has named Jewel Norman as the state mental health ombudsman, a position that is being funded for the first time this year.

Perdue said in a statement Wednesday that Norman will start her five-year appointment on July 16.

She will be responsible for establishing a state-wide complaint process, collecting and recording data on complaints about service providers, recommending law and policy changes, and compiling a biennial report on types of complaints, among other tasks.

Norman's previous experience includes heading a residential treatment facility and several large comprehensive psychiatric hospitals.

Perdue had created a committee to nominate candidates for the new position in January.

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller