Governor Perdue Announces State Board Appointments New Members Named To Industry, Trade & Tourism, Nursing Home Administrators and Dispensing Opticians Boards

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue made appointments today to the Georgia Board of Industry, Trade and Tourism, State Board of Nursing Home Administrators, and the State Board of Dispensing Opticians.

Two appointments were made to the Georgia Board of Industry, Trade and Tourism - Earl D. Barrs of Cochran, GA to represent the Third Congressional District and Eugene E. "Chip" Pearson, Jr. of Dawsonville, GA to represent the Tenth Congressional District.

Three appointments were made to the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators -Nancy H. Rinn of Upatoi, GA, Gregory M. Wren of Clermont, GA, and Janet S. Young of Fitzgerald, GA.

Three appointments were made to the State Board of Dispensing Opticians - Diane F. Drake of Jonesboro, GA, Glenn Morris of Augusta, GA, and Stephan E. Sanford of Norcross, GA.

These appointments will give the State Board of Nursing Home Administrators and the State Board of Dispensing Opticians required quorums.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of these individuals who are committed to serving the people of Georgia," said Governor Perdue. "Public service is a noble calling. Each of these appointees will serve with a deep regard for their respective positions and will represent our state with character and distinction."

Brief biographies of the newly appointed members are provided below:

Georgia Board of Industry, Trade and Tourism
Earl D. Barrs, 51, Cochran, GA - Barrs has over 25 years experience in timber management, land appraisals, and land acquisitions. He currently devotes his time to the operation of numerous forestry, real estate, and investment companies. Barrs is a Registered Forester in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. He is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and Certified Real Estate Appraiser in the state of Georgia and is a member of the Society of American Foresters, the Georgia Forestry Association Board of Directors, and the Forest Landowner Association. Barrs and his wife Wanda Barrs, Chairman of the State Board of Education, have two children.

Eugene E. "Chip" Pearson, Jr., 42, Dawsonville, GA - Pearson is the President of Pecos, Inc. and Paramont Grading Company in Cumming, GA, which specializes in real estate development, site work and heavy construction, and engineering. He is active in Gideons International Dawson Camp, Rotary International Dawsonville Club, the Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America, the Georgia and National Utility Contractors Association, and Amicalola Baptist Church. Pearson holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Shorter College with a minor in Leadership. Pearson and his wife, Jill, have three children.

State Board of Nursing Home Administrators
Nancy H. Rinn, 51, Upatoi, GA - Rinn has a degree from the University of West Georgia in elementary education with an emphasis in English and biology. Rinn has 25 years experience in the medical field and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. She was elected to serve on the Georgia School Board as 3rd District Director on the Public Relations, Financial and Political Action/Legislative Committees; appointed to the Muscogee County School Board by The Grand Jury to participate in the Neighborhood School Initiative; and served as the political liaison between the Muscogee County School Board and the Columbus Consolidated Government/Chamber of Commerce.

Gregory M. Wren, 46, Clermont, GA - Wren has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Pruitt Corporation since 1995. Prior positions include Chief Financial Officer of Coastal Health Management Associates, Inc., Controller/Reimbursement Director of the Pruitt Corporation, and Controller of Blue Ridge Nursing Homes, Inc. Wren is a Certified Public Accountant and received his bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Georgia.

Janet S. Young, 52, Fitzgerald, GA - Young, a registered nurse, has served three decades at the Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald. Her tenure at Dorminy Medical Center includes service as a surgical and ICU nurse. Currently, Young works with outpatient and same-day surgical patients. In 1973, she received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA. Young and her husband, Larry, have one son, Chris.

State Board of Dispensing Opticians
Diane Drake, 54, Jonesboro, GA - Drake has been a licensing optician in Georgia since 1978. She is currently an optical industry consultant, lecturer, course developer, and author. Drake's prior positions include owning and operating a Pearle Vision Center franchise and an All About Eyes Vision Center. She was previously named Optician of the Year by the Opticians Association of Georgia. Drake has a bachelors of science degree from Trinity Southern University as well as extensive professional training.

Glenn Morris, 54, Augusta, GA - Morris is currently employed by Wal-Mart Vision Center in Columbia County, Georgia. He received his Georgia optician's license in 1977. He previously served on the State Board of Dispensing Opticians from 1987 to 1998. Morris and his wife, Joan, have three children.

Stephan Sanford, 68, Norcross, GA - Since 1993, Sanford has been president of Lady Pat Enterprises- Independent Optical Consultant. Sanford had a long career with Pearle Vision, Inc., including the position of Senior Vice President. He previously served on the State Board of Dispensing Opticians and was chair of the board from 1997 to 2002. Sanford is also currently serving as Vice President, President-Elect and member of the Executive Board of the National Academy of Opticianry.