Deal appoints 17 to boards

Kinchen is the publisher and editor of Southern Journal Magazine. Previously, she served as a board member for Speedway Children’s Charities, Leadership Henry, Youth Leadership Henry, Haven House, and Prevent Child Abuse. She currently serves on the Piedmont-Henry Foundation Board and is a member of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. Kinchen attended both Troy State University and Auburn University. She has one child and resides in Locust Grove.

 

Nelson is director for Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. She joined GDEcD in 1998 as regional project manager for Region 6 in Middle Georgia. Prior to joining GDEcD, she was the director of Economic Development for Metter and Candler County. She is an active member of the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association, a graduate of the Leadership Macon Class of 2001 and was named by Georgia Trend Magazine to its “40 Under 40” list in 2010. Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in Language and International Trade with an emphasis in French and Business from Clemson University and a law degree from Mercer University. She and her husband, David, have two children. They reside in Macon.

 

Williams has been an elementary school teacher for the past 14 years. She currently teaches fifth grade at Mossy Creek Elementary School in Cleveland. She also serves on the board of directors for Family Promise of White County. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from Piedmont College, a master’s degree from the University of North Georgia and a performance-based educational leadership degree from the University of Georgia. She has two children and five grandchildren. She resides in Cleveland.

 

Tate is currently a Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Supervisor for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. She is a recipient of the 2011 Savannah Chatham County Public School System District Teacher of the Year award and the Association of Career & Technical Education’s 2012 Region 2 Outstanding Teacher in Community Service award. She is co-chair of the Education Division of the Coastal Empire United Way Campaign Cabinet, serves as the southeast Georgia representative for the Georgia DECA Foundation Board, and is president of the Georgia Marketing Education Association. Tate earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Savannah State University and an educational leadership specialist degree from Mercer University, where she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. She and her husband, Avon, have three children. They reside in Savannah.

 

Weyandt is senior policy adviser for transportation to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. He has previously served as director of comprehensive planning and director of transportation for the Atlanta Regional Commission, executive director of Research Atlanta, director of transportation for the 1996 Paralympic Games, and commissioner of Community Development and director of Planning for the City of Atlanta. Weyandt earned a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Atlanta.  

 

Smith has been the executive director of Catoosa Citizens for Literacy, a certified community literacy program, since 1997. Prior to that, she worked with a Pre-K program for eight years. She served five years on the Catoosa County Planning Commission, where she was elected chairman. Smith has been awarded the Ambassador of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards from the Catoosa County Chamber. She was a recipient of the Liberty Bell Award in 2001 and the Georgia Press Award in 2007. Smith and her husband, Wesley, have three children and six grandchildren. They reside in Ringgold.

 

Boyd is president and second generation owner of Boyd’s Cleaning Service. He sits on the Court Appointed Special Advocate Board serving Hall and Dawson counties, the Gainesville Kiwanis Board and the advisory board for the Salvation Army. He earned a bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry from North Georgia College. He and his wife, Kimmy, have two children. They reside in Gainesville.

 

Hutcheson retired as Materials /Procurement Supervisor from Georgia Power Co. in 2006 after 41 years of service. During his time there, he consulted for Southern Co. in Turkey, Trinidad and Chile. He has previously served on the board of directors of the Wade House and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. He and his wife, Elaine, have two children and one grandchild. They reside in Temple.

 

Waters is co-owner of L.A. Waters Furniture, a 79-year-old family furniture store with three locations in Statesboro. Additionally, the company operates 11 rental purchase stores in southeast Georgia under the trade name of Rentown. He is the past president of the Georgia Home Furnishings Association and is past chairman and current board member of the Georgia Retail Association. He and his wife, Sally, have two children. They attend First United Methodist Church and reside in Statesboro. 

 

Sullivan is founder and president of Southeast Sealing, Inc. He is chairman of the Development Authority of Rockdale County, where he has served since 1994. He is also a member of the National Federation of Independent Business. Currently, he serves on the Georgia Leadership Council and is chairman of the Georgia Safe Trust Pac. He and his wife, Bonnie, have one child and two grandchildren. They are members of St. Pius X Catholic Church and reside in Conyers.

 

Hines has served as superintendent of Houston County Schools since June 2010. An educator for 31 years, he began his career as a teacher and coach for Thomasville City Schools. He currently serves on the Houston County Board of Health, Middle Georgia RESA Board of Control and Middle Georgia Council for Boy Scouts. He is an ex-officio member of the Houston County Board of Education and the Perry Area and Robins Regional Chambers of Commerce. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Education from Valdosta State College and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife, Kim, have three children and one grandchild. They reside in Warner Robins.

 

Lovett is a retired public school teacher. She taught high school English and was an elementary teacher of the gifted. She has served on the state council of the Georgia Association for Gifted Children, the Hall County Master Gardeners Board, has been selected as Hall County Master Gardener of the Year, and is a recipient of the Conservation Award for the Hall County Chapter of DAR. Along with her husband, she is chairman of Gardens on Green. Lovett earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Tift College and a master’s degree in English Education from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Lee, have three children and seven grandchildren. They reside in Gainesville.

 

Turner is a partner in the Covington law firm of Greer, Stansfield & Turner, LLP. He has served as chairman of the Covington Redevelopment Authority, the Newton County Land Trust, the Covington Historic Preservation Commission, and the Fowler Street Redevelopment Co., Inc. He was a junior warden of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and sits on the boards of United Bank, the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center, Inc., and the Covington Family YMCA. Turner is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and Mercer University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, class of 2001, and Leadership Georgia, class of 2004. He and his wife, Loy, have three children. They reside in Covington.

 

Fuller has been presiding as chief Superior Court judge for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit and serving Hall and Dawson Counties since 1993. He is a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges Association, currently serving on the Legislative and Budget committees. He is also a member of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, Gainesville Rotary Club, Hall County Chamber of Commerce, and the Gainesville-Northeastern Bar Association. Fuller is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Mercer Law School. He and his wife, Gay, have two children. They reside in Gainesville. 

 

Nygren is the managing partner of Serenbe Development, a corporation developing the first hamlet in the Chattahoochee Hill Country district. The Nygren Family also owns the Inn at Serenbe and the Serenbe Conference Center, located in the Chattahoochee Hill Country district. Nygren founded the Peasant Restaurants, which grew to 34 operations in eight states under his ownership. He has previously served as chairman of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance and the Chattahoochee Hill Country Concurrence. Nygren attended the University of Colorado. He and his wife, Marie, have three children. They reside at Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills. 

 

Hopkins is president of Toledo Manufacturing Co. and has served in that capacity since 1989. Prior to his time with Toledo, he was in the private practice of law from 1977 to 1988. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Georgia Forestry Association, serving as its president since 1997, and is a board director and president of the Forest Landowners Association. He also serves on the board of directors of Gowen Timber Co., Inc., Hopkins-Gowen Oil Co., and Southeastern Bank. Hopkins earned an associate’s degree from Oxford College, a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a law degree from Mercer University. He and his wife, Julie, have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Folkston.  

 

Geisinger retired in 2003 from the General Services Administration after 17 years of service as the small business deputy for Region IV. She is a member of the Roswell Historical Society, North Metro Atlanta Republican Women’s Club and the Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Geisinger earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Cincinnati. She and her husband, Harry, have three children and three grandchildren. They reside in Roswell.