Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments:

Board of Commissioners of the Sheriff’s Retirement Fund of Georgia

Steve D. Cronic, 50, Gainesville, Sheriff Representative –- Cronic is the sheriff of Hall County.  He is a board member of the Hall County Commission for Children and Families, the Edmondson Telford Center for Children, and serves on the State Board of Public Safety.  He is a member of the County and Municipal Probation Advisory Council, Northeast Georgia Police Academy Advisory Council, Georgia Sheriff’s Association and the Domestic Violence Task Force.  Cronic earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Brenau University.  He and his wife, Kathy, have two children.  

Board of Commissioners of the Sheriff’s Retirement Fund of Georgia

Bill M. Hutson, 69, Marietta, Retired Sheriff Representative –- Hutson is a retired sheriff of Cobb County.  He served as executive director of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and as president of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia, and the County Officers’ Association of Georgia.  He served on the State Board of Corrections, the Georgia State Crime Commission and was on the board of directors of the National Sheriffs’ Association.  He has received numerous awards, including Sheriff of the Year and being named one of Georgia’s Most Influential People by James Magazine.  Hutson attended Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University, the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, and the National Sheriffs’ Institute at the University of Southern California.  He and his wife, Jackie, have two grown children. 

Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

Lara O. Hodgson, 38, Atlanta – Hodgson is chief executive officer of Insomnia Consulting, LLC and teaches real estate finance as an adjunct professor in Georgia Tech’s MBA program.  She is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Atlanta and is involved with the Urban Land Institute and the Society of International Business Fellows.  Hodgson earned a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Harvard University.  She and her husband, Casey, have one child. 

Board of Driver Services

David W. Connell, 56, Marietta – Connell is region manager for Georgia Power Company.  He is the former chairman of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Regional Business Coalition and the Cobb County United Way Program. Connell is a board member of the Georgia Trust Bank, Council for Quality Growth, Cobb County United Way Campaign and Marietta Kiwanis and serves on the board of trustees for Chattahoochee Technical College.  Connell earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a graduate of the General Management Program at Harvard University and the Wharton Executive Accounting and Finance Program.  He and his wife, Pamela, have four children. 

Board of Natural Resources

Walter A. Hudson, 46, Douglasville, Thirteenth Congressional District Representative, REAPPOINTMENT –- Hudson is president of Exxell Developers, Inc., where he has worked since 1983.  He is a member of First Baptist Church of Douglasville.  Hudson attended the University of Florida.  He and his wife, Renée, have two children. 

Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Jeffrey A. Slocum, Sr., D.C., 56, Tifton, Chiropractor –- Slocum is the owner of Slocum Chiropractic.  He is a board member for ActivHealth Chiropractic PPO and a past member of the Tifton Historical Board. He also serves on the board of directors and is past chairman of the Georgia Chiropractic Association (GCA).  In 2004 he was awarded Chiropractor of the Year by GCA. Slocum earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University and a doctoral degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic.  He and his wife, Kay, have four grown children and five grandchildren. 

Georgia Film, Video and Music Advisory Commission

John Mayes, 56, Adairsville, Local Government Representative –- Mayes is the owner and founder of Pro Systems Clean Care.  He is currently a member and former chairman of the Floyd County Commission and is the current chairman of the Floyd County Public Works Committee.  Mayes serves on the Floyd Medical Center Hospital Authority and Management Board, Floyd County Board of Health, Rome/Floyd Commission on Children and Youth and is a member of the Rome Rotary.  He is also a member of the Georgia Board of Corrections, IRMA Board and is a board member of Citizens First Bank.  He is a 2007 recipient of the Rome, Georgia “Heart of the Community Award” and is a past recipient of the Small Business of the Year Award from the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.  Mayes earned a bachelor’s degree from Albany State University.  He and his wife, Terri, have six children. 

GeorgiaMusic Hallof Fame Authority

Beverly K. Olson, 57, Macon – Olson is the owner of Starcadia Entertainment Center.  She is founder and former owner of the Macon Knights and is on the board of trustees of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.  She is the chairman and co-chairman of the Red Cross Heroes Fund and is a member of Make a Wish of Central Georgia, the Macon Rescue Mission and the Macon Sports Hall of Fame.  Olson was the 2008 recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Mercer University.  Olson attended Briarcliffe College.  She and her husband, Edmund, have one child. 

GeorgiaPublic Service Commission Advisory Committee

Milbree F. Lankford, 39, Winston, Water or Sewer Authority Representative –-

Lankford is general counsel for Douglasville – Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority.  She is a member and former chair of the legislative committee for the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, a member of the American Water Works Association and a graduate of Leadership Douglas.  Lankford is a member and director of the Junior League of Douglas County and a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Douglas County.  Lankford earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.  She and her husband, Michael, have two children. 

Georgia Seed Development Commission

Ben I. Copeland, Jr., 36, Marshallville, REAPPOINTMENT–- Copeland is currently president of the Georgia Crop Improvement Association and vice president of Patten Seed Company. He serves on the board of the Georgia Sod Producers Association and is former chairman of TifSport Growers.  Copeland earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of Leadership Georgia.  He and his wife, Kelly, have four children. 

Professional Standards Commission

Julia C. Bernath, 54, Atlanta – Bernath is the district seven representative and president of the Fulton County Board of Education.  She is the chairman of the Fulton County Schools Pension Board and president of the Georgia School Boards Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence of Education and is a former member of the Curriculum Advisory Council and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.  Bernath earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Terry, have three children. 

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