Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments.  Brief biographies are provided below:

Board of Commissioners of the Sheriffs Retirement Fund of Georgia

T. Jeffrey Wigington, 51 − Wigington is sheriff of Rockdale County. He has served in the Rockdale County Sheriff’s office for more than 30 years. He is a member of the National Sheriff’s Association and the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, where he received the President’s Award. Wigington earned a bachelor’s degree from Brenau University and a master’s degree from Columbus State University. He and his wife, Beth, have three sons.

Board of Economic Development

W. Paul Bowers, 53, Atlanta − Bowers is chief operating officer of Georgia Power Company. He serves on the board of advisors for the University of Alabama’s School of Engineering, is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Energy Policy Council and a board member of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited. Bowers earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida, a master’s degree from Troy University and attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He and his wife, Karen, and two children.

Board of Governors of the George L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Mike Garrett, 61, Atlanta− Garrett is the president and chief executive officer of Georgia Power Company.  Garrett is the 2006 chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Georgia Cancer Coalition.  As president of Georgia Power, he is a member of the board of directors of the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Edison Electric Institute.  Garrett received an associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology from Southern Polytechnic State University and a bachelor's degree from Georgia College and State University.  He and his wife, Karen, have three children and seven grandchildren.

John K. Watson, 41, Powder Springs —   Watson is the principal of real estate development at TPA Realty Services.  Prior to his role at TPA Realty, he worked for more than 15 years in politics, government and business at the local, state, and federal levels.  Watson previously served as chief of staff to Governor Perdue, general consultant to Perdue's campaign for Governor in 2002 and vice-chairman of Governor-Elect Perdue's transition team.  He serves on the board of directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and is a previous member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Watson earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.  He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children.

GeorgiaCommission for Service and Volunteerism

D. Glen Wilkins, 38, Lawrenceville − Wilkins is the senior manager of public affairs for Wal-Mart, Inc. in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. He is the vice chairman of Hands on Georgia and a member of the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of the Georgia Retail Association. Wilkins earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico. He and his wife, Nicole, have two children.

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