Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments.

Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory Committee ("Call Before You Dig")

Senate Bill 274 amended the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act (GUFPA.) to establish an advisory committee to assist the Public Service Commission in carrying out their responsibilities under GUFPA. This council will make recommendations to the Commission regarding rules and regulations and prepare recommendations to the Commission as to the appropriate penalties to impose on persons violating GUFPA.  The purpose of this committee is to protect the public from injury or harm resulting from excavation associated with underground utilities. The advisory committee consists of 14 members. All members are appointed by the Governor. For more information please consult http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/sum/sb274.htm

Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory Committee

Jeffrey "Jeff" Baker, 39, Suwanee , GA , Department of Transportation Representative - Baker is the state utilities engineer at the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT).  Previously, he served as the assistant state utilities engineer and state bridge inspector engineer for DOT.  He is a member of the American Society of Engineers, the Georgia Utilities Coordinating Council and is a registered professional engineer in Georgia .  Baker earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He has two children.

J. Timothy "Tim" Boatfiled, 46, Lindale , GA , Georgia Utilities Protection Center Representative - Boatfield is the liaison manager for Utilities Protection Center, Inc.  He previously worked as the utility damage investigator and claims manager for Burkeen Construction Company.  He is a member of the National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Council, the Georgia Utilities Coordination Council and vice chair of the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act Advisory Committee.  Boatfield and his wife, Donna, have three children.

Joel Davis, 42, Atlanta , GA , Locator Representative - Davis is the president and owner of RHD Services, Inc.  Previously, he worked with Arthur Anderson and Deloitte & Touche on construction-related consulting projects.  He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Utility Locating Contractors Association.  Davis earned a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Timothy K. Equels, 51, Roswell , GA , Water or Sewer Authority Representative - Equels is the assistant director in charge of the water services division for Fulton County Public Works.  He is a retired Commander in the United States Navy's Civil Engineer Corps and is a member of the North Georgia Water Planning District's Technical Advisory Committee and the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission's Advisory Committee.  Equels earned a bachelor's degree in construction from the University of Florida and a master's degree in engineering from the University of Washington .  He and his wife, Pia, have two children.

William "Bill" Gordy, Sr., 58, Midland , GA , Excavator Representative - Gordy is the owner of Gordy Construction Company in Fortson. Gordy Construction specializes in the installation of water, sewer and storm lines.  Gordy is an active member in the Georgia Utility Contractors Association.  He and his wife, Val, have two children.

C. Fletcher Harris, 50, Atlanta , GA , Non-Municipal Natural Gas Representative - Harris is the manager of operations support for the Southern region at Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Resources and is in charge of damage prevention. Previously, he worked with AGL Network on damage prevention for the Atlanta fiber optic network.  He is the chairman of the Fulton County UCC and is a vice chair on the board of directors of the GUCC. In 1999, he participated on the Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act legislative committee and subsequent session.

H. Wayne Johnson, 57, Statesboro , GA , Water or Sewer Municipal Representative – Johnson is the director of water and wastewater for the city of Statesboro .  Previously, he served as the resident construction inspector for the Statesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant.  He is a member of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, the Georgia Rural Water Association and the American Water Works Association.  Johnson is a state of Georgia Class I Water and Wastewater Operator and Wastewater Laboratory Analyst.  He is married to Angie Johnson and has two children.   

J. Charles Lance, Jr., 50, Butler , GA , Excavator Representative – Lance is the construction estimator and corporate secretary for Peed Bros., Inc.  In addition, he is an officer in a land development company and a landscaping company.  He is a member of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, has served on the State Construction Industry Licensing Board and has been active with the Georgia Utility Contractors Association for 17 years, including serving on the board of directors and as the association president.  Lance earned a bachelor's degree from Wesley College .  He and his wife, Angela, have two children.

Neil H. Porter, 45, Dacula , GA , Non-Municipal Telecommunications Representative – Porter is the atlantic operations cable damage prevention manager for the Bellsouth Corporation.  He is a member of the National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Council and served in the United States Air Force where he received advanced electronics maintenance training.  Porter attended the Lowry Technical Training Center and Clinton Community College in addition to earning a project management certificate from the University of Georgia .  He and his wife, Kristina, have one child.

Gary W. Riggs, 52, Cartersville , GA , Municipal Gas, Telecommunications or Electric Representative – Riggs is the director of the Cartersville Gas System, which is one of the five largest municipal gas systems in Georgia .  Previously, he served as the utilities engineer for the Atlantic Steel Company.  He is a member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, the American Public Gas Association, the Gas Section of the Georgia Municipal Association and a senior member of the Instrument Society of America.  Riggs attended Clemson University .  He is married to Johnnie Riggs.

Tommy Stalnaker, 55, Warner Robins , GA , Water or Sewer County Representative – Stalnaker serves as the director of operations for the Houston County Board of Commissioners where he has been employed for over 33 years.  Previously, he served as the public works director for 13 years.  He is a member of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Houston County Home Builders Association and serves as the chair of the staff parish relations committee at the First United Methodist Church .  Stalnaker earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University.  He is married to Sandi Stalnaker.

George Summers, 44, Covington , GA , Excavator Representative – Summers is the president of Ansco & Associates and Ivy H. Smith Company.  He is a member of the Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory Committee dealing with the administration of the Georgia Utility Facilities Protection Act, former member of the board of directors for the Georgia Utility Coordinating Council and former member of the board of directors for the Georgia Utility Contractors Association.  Summers earned his associate's degree from Oxford College at Emory University , attended the University of Georgia , and earned his bachelor's degree in business from Jacksonville University .  He and his wife, Denesha, have four children.

Robert J. “Bob” Vaughan, 52, Atlanta, GA, Georgia Public Service Commission Representative (will serve as chairman) – Vaughan has been employed by the Georgia Public Service Commission for 30 years and currently serves as the internal consultant for the utilities division.  His responsibilities include providing analytical support in electric, natural gas and telecommunications utility matters before the Public Service Commission and administration of the Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program contract with the Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired.  Vaughan earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Purdue University .

James A. “Jim” Weldon, Sr., 54, Atlanta , GA , Non-Municipal Electric Representative – Weldon is the distribution cable locating manager for the Georgia Power Company where he has been employed for over 35 years.  Previously, he worked in distribution engineering and management and plant construction management.  He is a member of Citizens of Georgia Power, the Southern Company Georgia Tech Club and serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the Georgia Utility Coordinating Council.  Weldon earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He and his wife, Lyn, have two children.