Government Relations Staff
Margie Miller serves as Vice President of Government Relations at Augusta University, where she leads the university’s state and federal advocacy efforts and strengthens relationships with local, state, and national leaders. Her work advances the university’s strategic priorities, including enrollment growth, research expansion, community engagement, and access to healthcare education across Georgia.
Since joining Augusta University in 2014 as Director of State Government Relations, Margie has helped secure support for the Medical College of Georgia, Dental College of Georgia, Georgia Cyber Center, and other university initiatives. She works closely with university leadership and policymakers to connect Augusta University’s expertise and statewide mission with Georgia’s educational, healthcare, and workforce needs.
Margie brings more than two decades of experience in government relations, public
policy, and appropriations. Before joining Augusta University, she spent 11 years
with the Georgia House of Representatives Budget & Research Office as a senior fiscal
and policy analyst, specializing in healthcare policy and appropriations.
She also supports student professional development through legislative internships,
mentoring, and opportunities to engage directly with elected officials and the policymaking
process.
Margie holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of North Georgia and a Master of Arts in Professional Politics from Georgia State University. She completed Georgia State University’s Legislative Health Policy Certificate Program in 2009, Augusta University’s Executive Leadership Program in 2021, and Leadership Augusta Executive Forum Class of 2024.
Margie and her husband reside in Evans.
Monty Philpot Brock serves as Director of Federal Relations at Augusta University, where she advances the university’s mission and strategic priorities through engagement with presidential administrations, members of Congress, and federal agencies. Since joining Augusta University in 2011, she has strengthened the university’s presence in Washington, D.C. She also holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the Medical College of Georgia’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
A native of Augusta, Monty brings more than two decades of experience in public policy and legislative affairs, including service in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. During her time on Capitol Hill, she was actively involved with the Senate Bipartisan Legislative Directors Group and the Georgia State Society.
Her leadership and service span government, healthcare, business, and community organizations. She has served on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Government Relations Steering Committee, as a political appointee to the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization Board, and on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Cyber Leadership Council. She currently serves on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Innovation and Technology Committee and is a graduate of Leadership Georgia Class of 2008.
Beyond her professional work, Monty has volunteered with food banks in Augusta and
Atlanta and with David’s Hope International in Kenya.
Monty earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a
Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies from Augusta University. She and
her husband, an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, reside in Atlanta.
Karyn Nixon
Director of Military Initiatives
Karyn Nixon serves as Director of Military Initiatives at Augusta University, where she builds relationships, identifies strategic partnerships, and advances collaboration with stakeholders, including the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Since joining Augusta University in 2013, Karyn has worked closely with Fort Gordon to strengthen partnerships with the National Security Agency and the Army Cyber Center of Excellence. Her collaboration with local school systems and Army command groups helped develop new curriculum and establish a cybersecurity pathway within the Georgia Department of Education’s official career pathways.
Before relocating to Augusta, Karyn worked in private banking at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. After moving to Augusta, she supported Deke Copenhaver’s successful mayoral campaign and later served in his administration, helping implement initiatives focused on economic development, public engagement, and social programs.
Karyn has served on numerous boards, including the Family Y Metro Augusta, Central Savannah River Land Trust, Augusta Warrior Project, Augusta Sports Council, Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust, and South State Bank’s advisory board. She currently serves on the boards of the CSRA Alliance and the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization and is a member of the Augusta Exchange Club.
She is a graduate of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2007, the Leadership Augusta Executive Forum Class of 2012, and Leadership Columbia County Class of 2013
Ashton Blackwood Paine serves as the Director of State Government Relations for Augusta University. She has been a proud part of the team since 2019 and has worked to advocate for students, faculty, and staff statewide, engaging with stakeholders and legislators.
A career-long public servant, Ashton spent most of her tenure working for the Georgia State Senate as well as the Governor’s Office.
She is a 2013 graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a 2022 graduate of Valdosta State University with a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
A member of the 2015 30 Under 30 Class at UWG, Ashton continues to serve as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors at her alma mater. She is also a graduate of the 2019 Leadership Hall Class and the Zell Miller Leadership Institute. In addition, she currently serves as a member of the Legislative Task Force for the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and is active with the Georgia Chamber Government Affairs Council.
Ashton resides in Atlanta with her husband, Josh.
Luke Ray serves as the Assistant Director of State Government Relations. Luke joined the Government Relations team in 2022.
He received his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia in 2022.
Luke began his career as a public policy and government relations intern and post-legislative session consultant at the Metro Atlanta Chamber before field organizing in the 2022 Georgia election.
Luke resides in Atlanta, GA.