A Forsyth County official has been named to a state board.

On Thursday, Forsyth County District Attorney Penny Penn was sworn-in to her seat on the board of the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice by Gov. Nathan Deal, who appointed her in September.

“I am honored to be appointed by Govenor Deal to the DJJ Board,” Penn said in a news release. “I look forward to serving the citizens of the state by working with the other members of the Board in their efforts to assist the Department of Juvenile Justice with its mission to rehabilitate youthful offenders.”

The department serves youthful offenders under 21 years old and its board is made up of 15 members appointed by the governor. More than 52,000 youths are provided with social, intellectual and emotional tools each year by the group.

This will be Penn’s first term on the board, and she will serve for five years. She will represent Congressional District 7.

“On behalf of the Department, I welcome the appointment of District Attorney Penn to the DJJ Board,” said board member Avery D. Niles in the release. “Ms. Penn has an outstanding record in law enforcement, and her experience will be helpful to me and the entire DJJ staff.”

Penn has served as district attorney of the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit since January 2003 and previously assistant district attorney from November 1998 until moving to her current position.