Deal appoints eight to boards
Ellice Martin, Ph.D., Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)
Martin is a professor of Mathematics Education at Valdosta State University. She was previously the president of the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards and was the board chair of Unison Behavioral Health. Martin was honored as an exemplary postsecondary educator by the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics and twice received the Valdosta State University College of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree, a specialist degree and a doctoral degree from Valdosta State University. Martin and her husband, Philips, have two children and four grandchildren. They reside in Homerville.
Jean Sumner, M.D., Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)
Sumner is the dean of the Mercer University School of Medicine. She previously practiced internal medicine in Wrightsville and Sandersville. Sumner is a past president of the Georgia Composite Board of Medicine and previously served as the board’s medical director. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and a medical degree from Mercer University. Sumner and her husband, Joe, have two children and four grandchildren. They live in Wrightsville.
Allen Gudenrath, Board of Economic Development (reappointment)
Gudenrath is a senior vice president of wealth management with Morgan Stanley. He is a J.W. Fanning Fellow Designee with Leadership Georgia and received the Frederick Kerr Service Award. Gudenrath earned an associate degree from Reinhardt College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Gudenrath and his wife, Lynda, have three children and three grandchildren. They reside in Macon.
Eric Johnson, Board of Economic Development (reappointment)
Johnson is the president of Hussey Gay Bell, an architectural and engineering firm. He served in the Georgia General Assembly for 17 years and was president pro tem of the Georgia Senate for six years. Johnson sits on the boards for World Trade Center Savannah, the Georgia Independent Colleges Association and Union Mission. He is active with the Armstrong State University Foundation and the Georgia Tourism Foundation. Johnson earned a master’s degree in Architecture from Tulane University. He and his wife, Kathryn, have two children and two grandchildren. They live in Guyton.
John "Jay" Neely III, Board of Economic Development (reappointment)
Neely is the vice president for law and public affairs for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. He previously practiced law with Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Augusta. Neely sits on the board of directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He is a past president of Leadership Savannah and previously sat on the board of trustees for Leadership Georgia. Neely earned a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Courtney, have two children and reside in Savannah.
John Shuman, Georgia Ports Authority
Shuman is the president and owner of Shuman Produce. He is a past chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee and a past president of the Southeast Produce Council. Shuman is a member of the Produce Marketing Association, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, the National Onion Association and the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. Shuman and his wife, Lana, have two children and reside in Reidsville.
Lauren Eckman, Professional Standards Commission (reappointment)
Eckman is an English Language Arts teacher for blind and visually impaired students at the Georgia Academy for the Blind. She was named the 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Education. Eckman is a member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the Council for Exceptional Children, the National Council of Teachers of English, the Georgia Teachers of the Year Association and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College and a master’s degree from the University of Louisville. Eckman lives in Macon.
Gilbert C. Barrett, State Veterinary Education Board
Barrett is the president and CEO of Farmers Exchange, an agricultural cooperative serving Northeast Georgia. He also operates a beef and poultry farm. Barrett sits on the boards of directors for the Department of Community Affairs, the Habersham County Farm Bureau and the Upper Chattahoochee Soil and Water District. He serves as a deacon and teaches Sunday School at Chattahoochee Baptist Church. Barrett and his wife, Donna, have three children and reside in Demorest.