The state’s child protection service agency will get a change at the top.

Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday appointed Georgia Division of Family and Children Services Chief of Staff Virginia Pryor to be the agency’s interim director.

Pryor will succeed Director Bobby Cagle, who will leave to lead the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County, California, on Nov. 10.

“We have no greater responsibility than caring for Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens,” Deal said in a statement.

“It is imperative that we work to ensure that each child is safe and has the best possible opportunity for a good life. Virginia Pryor has been a longtime advocate for the wellbeing of children and she has already played a vital role in the administration of DFCS.

“I am confident that she will serve our state well as interim director.”

Pryor has 27 years’ experience in child welfare services. Before becoming the DFCS chief of staff, she was the division’s deputy director overseeing child welfare. She has consulted with systems in 46 jurisdictions.

She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in social work from Howard University.

Cagle came to his current role after serving as the commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. He also served as the director of legislative and external affairs for DFCS and as the DFCS family services director.

He has worked for the Department of Social Services and Department of Corrections in North Carolina.

“I am grateful for Director Cagle’s efforts as he helped move DFCS forward in a number of ways while protecting the interests of many young Georgians,” Deal said in a statement.