Deal names four to boards

Rick Thompson, Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission

Thompson has 17 years of experience in overseeing ethics and governmental compliance in Georgia and Missouri. As founder of R. Thompson & Associates, Thompson provides ethics and governmental compliance consulting for corporations, associations, committees, lobbyists and candidates. He currently serves on the editorial board of the academic journal, Public Integrity, which is the foremost journal on ethics and leadership. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and a master’s from the Central Missouri State College. He lives in Roswell.

Tom Watkins, Ph.D., Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, & Marriage and Family Therapists

Watkins has served in the counseling industry for more than 20 years working in inpatient, outpatient and law enforcement settings. Currently, he is the director of New Hope Counseling, providing services to accountability courts in the Dawson, Forsyth and Hall circuits. Watkins earned a master’s in psychology with a specialty in counseling from the Georgia School of Psychology and a doctorate in psychology from Trinity University. His education background and credentialing lends support for areas of growth in the counseling field. He is a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Watkins resides in Gainesville.

James E. “Trey” Allen, Department of Community Affairs Board

Allen serves as the Founding President and CEO of Learning Express Toys of Evans, a company he and his wife co-founded. He also serves on the Columbia County Commission, overseeing county planning, zoning, permitting and emergency management issues. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in Small Business Management from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Suzy, have two children. They live in Martinez.

Paul L. White, Sr., Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers

White has been a teacher and coach for 33 years in Georgia public schools. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Georgia Chapter, and also on the Board of Directors of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. White earned a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a master’s degree from North Georgia College and State University. He and his wife, Lori, have two children. They reside in Murrayville.