Deal appoints 24 to boards

J. David Smith, Georgia Professional Standards Commission

Smith is chairman of the Rabun County Board of Education. He has practiced law in Clayton since 1982 and currently serves as a judge for the city of Clayton. He is a member of the Clayton Rotary Club and serves on the Rabun County Habitat for Humanity Board. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of West Georgia and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Susan, have two sons. They reside in Rabun Gap.

Charles Baker, Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (reappointment)

Baker is clerk of the Hall County Superior and State Court. Before his election to clerk of court in 2008, he served the public for 30 years as a deputy clerk for the Hall County Superior and State Court, including seven years as chief deputy clerk. He and his wife, Glenda, have one daughter and two grandsons. They are active members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and reside in Gainesville.

Daniel W. Massey, Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (reappointment)

Massey is currently in his third term as clerk of superior court for Chatham County. Prior to becoming clerk, he worked as a mediator for the courts of the Eastern Judicial Circuit and as city manager for the city of Pooler. He has been honored by his peers as the Clerk of the Year four times for the First Judicial District and is a recipient of the Hester Award from the Savannah Bar Association. He is the president of the Coastal Center for Developmental Services, Inc. Massey earned a bachelor’s degree from Armstrong State University and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He and his wife, Carole, have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Savannah.

James C. “Jim” Weidner, Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (reappointment)

Weidner is a partner and managing member of the law firm Oliver & Weidner, LLC. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Tallulah Falls School, where he was elected secretary of the board of trustees in 2014 and has been on the executive committee and audit committee since 2012. He is chairman of the board of the United Way of Habersham County and is on the board of directors for the Habersham Medical Center Foundation. He is a member of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, White County Chamber of Commerce and is an organizing director for Southern Bank & Trust and is secretary of its parent corporation, Southern Bancorp. Weidner earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a law degree from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Susan, have four children. They are members of Bethlehem Baptist Church and reside in Clarkesville.

Tiffany J. Ellenberg, Georgia Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Councils

Ellenberg is an attorney in Madison. She has served as president of the Ocmulgee Bar Association and the Morgan County Rotary Club. She has also served as co-chair of the Morgan County Domestic Violence Council. She has been a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Georgia Association of Indigent Defense Lawyers, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, American Association of Trial Lawyers and National Association of Counsel for Children. She and her twin boys reside in Madison.

Kathryn K. Cheek, Board of Public Health (reappointment)

Cheek has been a practicing pediatrician in Columbus for the past 28 years. She is a past-president of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is chairman of the board of the Pediatric Healthcare Improvement Coalition. She is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia and the Muscogee County Medical Society. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Rosa Parks Women of Courage, the Woman of Distinction award and the Big Voice for Children award. Cheek earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and a master’s degree in Health Education and a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University. She and her husband, Benjamin, have three children and two grandchildren. They reside in Columbus.

Phillip L. Williams, Board of Public Health (reappointment)

Williams is the founding dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia and holds the Georgia Power Professorship of Environmental Health Science in the college’s Department of Environmental Health Science. Williams has authored over 100 scientific publications, including 3 textbooks on toxicology. Prior to his tenure at UGA, Williams was vice-president of the Environmental Health Division of A.T. Kearney, a senior research scientist with the Georgia Tech Research Institute and an industrial hygienist with the USDOL/OSHA. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a doctoral degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Theda, have two children and three grandchildren. They reside in Watkinsville.

Ron C. Cross, Public Defenders Standards Council (reappointment)

Cross retired as president and chief executive officer of CCI Construction Corporation in Evans. He has been chairman of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for twelve years and recently was reelected for his fourth term. Cross chairs the Savannah Upper Ogeechee Water Council and the T-SPLOST Roundtable and executive committee. He and his wife, Janice, have one daughter and one grandson. They reside in Evans.

G.S. “Gator” Hodges, Public Defenders Standards Council (reappointment)

Hodges is employed in a management position with CSX Transportation and currently serves as a Butts County Commissioner. He was named by Georgia Trend Magazine’s “Top 40 under 40″ list in 2010. He is an active member of Rock Springs Congregational Methodist Church in Milner. Hodges attended Georgia Southern University where he studied Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of Leadership Butts County 2007 and Leadership Georgia 2010. He and his wife, Keri, have one son. They reside in Jackson.

Lamar Paris, Public Defenders Standards Council (reappointment)

Paris is serving his fourth term as Union County’s sole commissioner. He was a real estate developer and owner of Paris Finance Co. Inc. prior to his election to office. He previously served as state president of the Association of County Commissioners in 2010. Paris earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Dinah, have one daughter. They reside in Blairsville.

Stephanie P. Lotti, Statewide Independent Living Council

Lotti is the director of Data and Public Policy for the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission. She previously worked with the Department of Community Affairs. She serves on the State Interagency Coordinating Council on Homelessness and the Georgia Concussion Coalition Board. Lotti earned a bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and studied in Liberia, West Africa. She and her husband, Todd, reside in Brookhaven.

James “Jay” Bulot, Statewide Independent Living Council (reappointment)

Bulot is an applied gerontologist with more than 18 years of experience in the field of aging services. He is the director of the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services. He served as chair of the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Task Force and currently chairs the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Council. He is vice-president of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disability. Bulot earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children. They reside in Suwanee.

Keisha R. Callins, Georgia Composite Medical Board

Callins is an obstetrician and gynecologist with Albany Area Primary Health Care. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Dougherty County, Albany Downtown Sertoma and the Junior League of Albany. She is a junior fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the Georgia State Medical Association and the Griffin-Jordan Medical Society. Callins earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. She and her husband, Joel, have two children. They reside in Albany.

John S. Antalis, Georgia Composite Medical Board (reappointment)

Antalis has been a practicing physician at Dalton Family Practice for 28 years. He is past-president of the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. He was named Physician of the Year in 1996 and received the Joseph P. Bailey Distinguished Science award for Medical Services in 2013. He serves on the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) Foundation, MAG Mutual Board, MAG Board and the Patient Safety Institute Board. Antalis earned a medical degree from St. George's University. He and his wife, Cathy, have three children. They reside in Dalton.

Alexander S. Gross, Georgia Composite Medical Board (reappointment)

Gross is medical director of the Georgia Dermatology Center in Cumming and attending physician at Northside Hospital Forsyth. He is the current president of the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Gross earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a medical degree from the University of South Florida College. He is double-board certified in internal medicine and dermatology. He and his wife, Joanne, reside in Dunwoody.

William S. Sightler, Georgia Composite Medical Board (reappointment)

Sightler is the medical director at Riverbend Correctional Facility in Milledgeville. Prior to Riverbend, he was the medical director at Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo. He currently serves on the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association Board and is a past-president. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association. He is a former medical officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. Sightler earned a pharmacy degree from Mercer University, a medical degree from West Virginia University and a master’s degree of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. He and his wife, Saundra, have three children, five grand-children and three great-grandchildren. They reside in Eatonton.

Kimberly Carroll-Hawkins, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Carroll-Hawkins is currently the chief deputy of the Cobb County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office. She has been employed with the Cobb County Judicial System for over 20 years, serving in both Juvenile and Superior Court. She is an active member of the Marietta Rotary Club and the Marietta Business Association. Carroll-Hawkins earned a paralegal certificate from Kennesaw State University, a certificate of Court Administration from the Georgia Council of Cobb Administrators and completed the Judicial Administration Program at Michigan State University. She and her husband, Terry, have three children. They reside in Marietta.

Larry H. Hanson, Board of Community Affairs

Hanson currently serves as city manager for the City of Valdosta. Prior to this, he served as assistant city manager, director of Community Affairs and director of Parks and Recreation. He has served on the executive committees of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and United Way and is past-president of the Georgia City-County Manager’s Association. He is recipient of the 2003 Loyce W. Turner Outstanding Public Official award from Valdosta State University and the 2004 Carl Vinson Institute of Government/Georgia Trend Magazine Excellence in Public Service award. Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University. He is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, was a member of the charter class of Leadership Lowndes and twice served as its president. He has two children and resides in Valdosta.

Kenneth Holton, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Holton is the executive director for Raintree Village Children’s Home. Before coming to Raintree in 1998, Holton spent most of his life serving in ministry positions. He is a member of Together Georgia and the Christian Child and Family Services Association. Holton earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University. He and his wife, Ginny, have four children and two grandchildren. They reside in Valdosta.

Johnny Grant, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)

Grant is the director of Economic Development and External Relations for Georgia College and State University. He is a former state senator who served four terms representing the 25th senate district. He serves as vice-chairman of the Exchange Bank Board of Directors in Milledgeville. Grant earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration from Georgia College and State University. He attends St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. He and his wife, Carol, have three children. They reside in Milledgeville.

Johnathan Taylor, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services Board

Taylor graduated from the University of Georgia in December 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics. He is currently preparing for his life insurance exam under the guidance of Active Financial Group in Kennesaw. Taylor sustained a C-5 spinal cord injury in March 2011 while playing for the University of Georgia baseball team. After extensive rehabilitation, he returned to the university to complete his degree. He resides in Kennesaw.

Robert Green, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services Board (reappointment)

Green retired as state coordinator of deaf-blind services for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. He is currently a part-time instructor of American Sign Language at Georgia Perimeter College. He has served on the board of the Georgia Association of the Deaf and Georgia Association of the Deaf-Blind. He was also on the advisory council of Georgia Sensory Assistance Project. Green earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gallaudet University. He and his wife, Karen, have two sons and one grandchild. They reside in Conyers.

Marsha T. Farrow, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services Board (reappointment)

Farrow is presently employed with Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia in Smyrna. She is a member of the American Council for Blind Lions, the Georgia Blind Lions and the Lions Club. She is a member of the American Council of the Blind, the Georgia Council of the Blind and is a member of the Floyd County chapter of the Georgia Council of the Blind. Farrow received an associate’s degree from Floyd College, a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Covenant Presbyterian College and a master’s degree in Visual Rehabilitation from Florida State University. She and her husband, Bob, have two children and three grandchildren. They reside in Summerville.

B.K. Mohan, Georgia Composite Medical Board (reappointment)

Mohan is the founding partner of Southern Heart Specialists, a keystone cardiology practice serving the Southern Crescent community for 35 years. He has been actively engaged in the medical community, providing cardiology services and strategic leadership to Piedmont Henry Hospital, Southern Regional Medical Center and South Fulton Medical Center. He served on the Clayton County Health Education Board and as chairman of the Indian Professional Association. Mohan earned a bachelor’s degree at National College (India) and a medical degree from Gulbarga Medical College (India). He and his wife, Raja, have two children and two grandchildren. They reside in Jonesboro.