In a news release Friday, the Fulton County Republican Party announced it has named former Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood, of Buckhead, to the Fulton Board of Elections.

Norwood, who ran for Atlanta mayor in 2009 and lost by 714 votes to Democrat Kasim Reed in a runoff, also unsuccessfully tried to get on the 2010 Fulton County commission chair ballot as an independent.

Her appointment comes amid calls for the Fulton County Department of Elections and Registration to “regroup” and the Jan. 3 resignation of William Riley, one of two Fulton County Republican Party appointees on the board. The commission chair’s appointee, Roderick Edmond, also resigned earlier this month. The Fulton County Democratic Party also has two appointees on the board.

The Republican Party decided to take steps to restore confidence and professionalism to the board by nominating Norwood, whose appointment is immediate once ratified by the Fulton commission.

“With the resignation of our county party stalwart and former judge, William Riley, from the board of elections and the ongoing investigation by the [Georgia] secretary of state’s office, we had to act quickly to find someone with the high caliber of intellect and ability to effect change,” Fulton Republican Party chair Roger Bonds said. “Mary Norwood is just that kind of person. Her background as a small business owner, community activist, and former elected official gives her the political savvy and professionalism that makes her the ideal person to continue the clean-up work Riley started.”

In addition to her political experience, Norwood has volunteered for more than 40 organizations in more than 120 capacities. Prior to serving on the city council, Nor-wood interacted with elected officials on dozens of issues resulting in an extremely high track record of success.

“Our election process is one of the cornerstones of our country,” she said. “As the county seat for the capital of Georgia, Fulton County should set the example for the other 158 counties in our great state. It is imperative that Fulton County conduct elections that are accurate and impartial. I am looking forward to ‘rolling up my sleeves and getting to work” to make sure that our upcoming elections are smooth, effortless, and fair for every citizen and every candidate. Our citizens deserve nothing less.”