Deal appoints 24 to boards
July 19, 2013
Julie Hunt, Georgia Ports Authority
Hunt is president of J.H. Services, Inc. She has been part of the South Georgia business community for many years in the restaurant, advertising and real estate industries. She is a former English teacher and currently serves as a member of the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President’s Club, as an emeritus trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation and as a former Regent of the University System of Georgia. She has served on the Tift County Tourism Association for 17 years and as its chairman for seven years. She is past president of the Tift County Chamber of Commerce, served on the Commission for the Privatization of State Government and served on the Georgia Economic Development Authority. Hunt earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Valdosta State University. She has two children and seven grandchildren. She resides in Tifton.
Peter Worthy, Georgia Civil War Commission
Worthy has been a dentist in Carrollton for more than 35 years. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentistry, the American College of Dentistry, an honorary fellow of the Georgia Dental Association and a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Currently, he is on the board of the Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum and is a member of Gridiron Secret Society, the Carrollton Historical Society and the Carroll County Irregulars. He has served on the boards of Tanner Medical Center, Inc., Tanner Medical Foundation and the University of West Georgia. Worthy earned a bachelor’s degree and dental degree from Emory University. He is a member of the Carrollton First United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Joan, have two children. They reside in Carrollton.
Julianna McConnell, Georgia Women’s Garden Commission
McConnell is president and chief executive officer of the Preston Group, Inc., a government relations firm. She serves as vice chair of the Georgia Commission on Women, board member of the Georgia Women’s Institute, secretary of the Georgia Women’s History Museum Board, director of GEMC Federal Credit Union Board, legislative adviser for Street GRACE and a member of the Governor’s Office of Children and Families’ CSEC Task Force. McConnell earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s in Business Administration from the University of West Georgia. She is a certified public accountant in Georgia and a 2013 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett. She and her husband, Tom, have three children and four grandchildren. They reside in Suwanee.
Chip Mitchell, Board of Community Affairs
Chip Mitchell is a real estate salesperson in Grayson. He previously worked as senior project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, where he recruited manufacturers including Caterpillar, ZF Wind Power and Mando Corp. to the state. He serves on the City of Grayson Downtown Development Authority and is a member of the Georgia Association of Realtors. Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Katie, have one child. They reside in Grayson.
Joyce C. Stevens, Board of Community Affairs (reappointment)
Stevens is president of the Stevens Group. Also, she and her husband, John, own and operate a cattle farm in Good Hope. She was vice president of Sales, Marketing and Operations of Del-Cook Lumber Co. for 17 years and owned and operated Ten-Four, Inc., a wholesale lumber operation in South Georgia. She served on the executive committee of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association and Georgia-Florida Quality Pine Producers Association. She is a founding board member and past president of the Walton County Boys & Girls Clubs and is a member of both Walton County and Georgia Chambers of Commerce. Stevens is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and Leadership America. She and her husband have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Good Hope.
Hugh “Trip” Tollison, Board of Community Affairs
Tollison serves as president and chief executive officer of the Savannah Economic Development Authority and World Trade Center Savannah. He currently serves on the board of directors of USO Savannah, America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Coastal Empire, Step Up Savannah and the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Tollison is the Honorary Small Wing Commander for the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, and is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Tracey, have two children. They reside in Savannah.
James W. Curran, Georgia Board of Public Health (reappointment)
Curran has been dean and professor of Epidemiology of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University since 1995. In 2009, the Deanship of the school was endowed in his honor and he holds the position as the first James W. Curran Dean of Public Health. He came to Emory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where he served for more than two decades. From 1981 to 1995 he was a leader of CDC’s HIV research and prevention efforts. While at the CDC, he attained the rank of assistant surgeon general. Curran earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a medical degree from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in Public Health from Harvard University. He and his wife, Juanita, have two adult children. They reside in Atlanta.
Mitch Rodriguez, Board of Public Health (reappointment)
Rodriguez is a neonatologist practicing in Macon, where he serves as regional neonatal medical director for the Macon region. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, member of the Medical Association of Georgia and clinical associate professor of Pediatrics at Mercer Medical School. He is currently the chairman of the task force on Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative for the state of Georgia. He is a member of the school board at Mount de Sales, Macon. Rodriguez earned a medical degree from Universidad Nordestana in the Dominican Republic and a master’s in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. He and his wife, Olga, have two children. They reside in Macon.
Robert S. Harshman, Board of Public Health (reappointment)
Harshman is the medical director of Georgia Power/Southern Co. He also is the medical director for Trojan Battery Co. He is a certified medical review officer. He has served on the board of the Georgia Department of Public Health since 2011. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Georgia Chapter of ACOEM and the Medical Association of Georgia. Harshman earned a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and a medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara Medical School. He resides in Atlanta.
Alisande C. Osuch, Consumer Advisory Board (reappointment)
Osuch is retired from the U.S. Army with more than 20 years active duty in worldwide assignments. In 2013, she received the John R. Petty, Sr. Award for her work as past president and founding member of the John R. Petty, Sr. Foundation. She currently serves as vice president of the West Point Society of Atlanta. She has previously served on the board of directors of the Southeast Association of Facilitators and Hands of Hope Free Medical Clinic. Osuch earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy in 1981, is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Henry and a 2006 graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute. She has two children and resides in Stockbridge.
Ben E. Satterfield, Consumer Advisory Board (reappointment)
Satterfield is a sales manager with Allgood Pest Solutions in Lawrenceville. He has been in the termite and pest control business for more than 35 years. He was named Employee of the Year in 2012. He merged his personal business, Mug a Bug Pest Control Inc., with Allgood Pest Solutions in 2006. Satterfield serves as chairman of the Gwinnett History and Preservation Board. He previously served as chairman of the Gwinnett Recreational Authority and is a former board member of the Gwinnett Elections Board. Satterfield and his wife, Jolie, have six children and 15 grandchildren. They reside in Lawrenceville.
Dinah C. Wayne, Technical College System of Georgia (reappointment)
Wayne graduated from Gainesville College and Brenau University. With the help of other volunteers, she led the effort to rehabilitate the historic Flowery Branch Depot. She also led the efforts to ratify the Historic Preservation Ordinance and to obtain the city’s Better Hometown Community designation, of which she served as director. She serves on the boards of Georgia Alliance of Preservation Commission, Lanier Technical College Foundation, Flowery Branch Better Hometown, Inc. and Friends of the Depot, Inc. She is also a member of the Flowery Branch Homemakers Club and Flowery Branch United Methodist Church. Wayne and her husband, Alan, have two children and six grandchildren. They reside in Flowery Branch.
Zell Shaw Blackmon III, Technical College System of Georgia (reappointment)
Blackmon is the president and chief executive officer of National Bank Products. He was chair of the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and has previously served as chair of the Middle Georgia Technical College Foundation. He has also served as an honorary commander at Robins Air Force Base and on boards at the Museum of Aviation Foundation, Houston County Development Authority, SunMark Bank and Houston County Heritage Foundation. He is a former board member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Blackmon earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, where he was a scholar-athlete, lettering for four years in golf. He resides in Kathleen.
Lynn Cornett, Technical College System of Georgia Board (reappointment)
Cornett retired as senior vice president from the Southern Regional Education Board after 26 years of service. She is the current chair of the Technical College System of Georgia Board and previously served as vice chair and member of the Academic Affairs and Adult Education Committees. She holds a doctoral degree from the University of Rochester. She and her husband, Ben, have one child and one grandchild. They reside in Sandy Springs.
Lawrence T. Walters, Professional Standards Commission (reappointment)
Walters is superintendent of the Lee County School System in southwest Georgia. He serves on the board of directors of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, American Association of School Administrators and the Lee County Board of Health. He previously served as a board member of the American Red Cross. He participated as a member of the committee to establish a “Vision for Public Education” in Georgia. Walters earned a doctorate of Philosophy from Ohio State University. He is an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Linda, have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in Leesburg.
Chandra B. Yadav, Bona Fide Coin Operated Amusement Machine Operator Advisory Board
Yadav is a small business owner in Camden County. He serves on the board of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce and on the Kingsland Tourism Board. He is also the vice chair of the Kingsland Downtown Development Authority. Yadav earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Amravati University, India. He and his wife, Sugandha, have one child. They reside in Kingsland.
Deborah Johnson, Governor’s Office of Children and Families Board
Johnson is co-owner of Beasley Timber Co. in Hazlehurst. She is active in her community through the Sunday School ministry of her local church and as a volunteer at her children’s school. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Brewton Parker College in 1989 while graduating Summa Cum Laude. She and her husband, Zachary, have three children. They reside in Hazlehurst.
Kelly Stewart, Board of Juvenile Justice
Stewart serves as the vice president of Human Resources for Lucas Group, a national executive search firm. She also serves on the Johns Creek City Council, the board of directors for Israel Bonds, and Georgia’s leadership team for Christians United for Israel (CUFI). She is a recorded singer, song writer and pianist. Stewart earned a master’s degree from Georgia Tech, bachelor’s degree from Brenau University and associate’s degree from Gainesville State University. She and her husband, Tom, are active members of First Baptist Church Atlanta. They reside in Johns Creek.
Jay Sanders, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Sanders is the special assistant to the director of Probation Operations. He began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 1992 as a probation officer. His work experience also includes: regional training coordinator, hearing officer, and public safety training instructor. In his current assignment, he manages special projects and coordinates the Department’s Criminal Justice Reform and Justice Reinvestment initiatives. He is a POST certified Master Instructor with certifications in firearms and defensive tactics. Sanders earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Pensacola Christian College and a master’s degree in Social Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University. He and his wife, Cathy, have two children. They reside in Forsyth.
Liz Hausmann, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Hausmann currently serves as a Fulton County commissioner. She is a board member of the Fulton County Judicial Review Task Force, Fulton Education Foundation Board of Directors, chairperson of the General County Government Policy Council for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, the Retirement Board of Fulton County Employees, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Encore Park for the Arts Board of Directors, and Atlanta-Fulton Water Resources Commission. Hausmann was honored as the 2006 North Fulton Phenomenal Woman of the Year and the 2012 Pioneer Award from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. She resides in Johns Creek.
Joseph W. Hood III, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (reappointment)
Hood serves as the division director of Public Safety at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. Prior to his current position, he served as comptroller for the Georgia Department of Public Safety. He was a staff member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for more than 10 years, serving as the grants division director for five years. He also served as an auditor with the Georgia Department of Human Resources and as finance director at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Hood earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Renee, have three children. They reside in Chamblee.
Ellice P. Martin, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Martin is a Mathematics Methods professor in the Dewar College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University. She has served as a board member and board chair of Unison Behavioral Health, and as the state president of the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards. She has been honored by the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics as a post-secondary educator who inspires, mentors and advocates for mathematics education and has twice received the Valdosta State University College of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Georgia, and has earned a master’s degree and doctoral degree in Education from Valdosta State University. She and her husband, Philips, have two children and four grandchildren. They reside in Homerville.
Glen Hicks, Board of Governors of the George L. Smith II World Congress Center Authority (reappointment)
Hicks has served as a principal and managing director of First Beacon Capital and its parent First Beacon Investments since 2009. Prior to joining First Beacon, he served as vice president and chief financial officer of the Columns Group Inc. He has served as a member and chairman of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and is a former member of the George West Mental Health Foundation/Skyland Trail Advisory Board. Hicks holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and two grandchildren. They reside in Duluth.
Ben H. Hall, Jr., Board of Economic Development
Hall is chairman of Dublin Construction Co., Inc. and B.H. Hall Ready Mixed Concrete Inc. He has served on the boards of Associated General Contractors of Georgia, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, as president of the Dublin Rotary Club, past chairman of Dublin-Laurens Development Authority, director of Morris Bank (Dublin) and other various associations and local community involvements. Hall graduated from Southern Poly Tech and the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Caillie, have two children and four grandchildren. They reside in Dublin.