Martin “Trey” Kilpatrick, former deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, has been appointed vice president for government and community affairs at Georgia State University.

Kilpatrick will oversee the university’s relationships with state government and, through his extensive experience at the federal level, enable the university to broaden its influence in Washington, D.C.

Julie Kerlin, who has led Government and Community Affairs since 2011, plans to retire later this year after 40 years of service. She will serve as senior adviser to the president until her retirement.

Kilpatrick joined Sen. Isakson in 2009 after four years as a vice president for Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc., an Atlanta-based investment firm. He served Sen. Isakson as political director, state director and campaign manager before becoming deputy chief of staff.