Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

Friday, February 15, 2008

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

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

Board of Economic Development

Mell S. “Tee” Tolleson, Jr., 47, Elko, Member at large — Tolleson is owner and partner of Edgewood Development Group, Inc.  He is also president of Tolleson Realty Corporation and owner of Elko Plantation, LLC.  He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for The Westfield School, and the board of directors of both CB&T Bank of Middle Georgia and ComSouth, Inc.  He also serves on the administrative board of Perry United Methodist Church, and the board of trustees of Epworth by the Sea.  He and his wife, Marti, have two children.

D. Michael Cottrell, 55, Dahlonega, Member at large — Cottrell is chairman of Cottrell, Inc., a large over-the-road car-haul manufacturer.  He previously served as president and chief executive officer of the company.  He serves as chairman of the Lumpkin County Development Authority, a director on the board of the United Community Bank of Dahlonega, and a member of the North Georgia College & State University Foundation board of trustees and Business Advisory Council.  Cottrell earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Polytechnic State University.  He and his wife, Lynn, have three children, as well as three children from a previous marriage, and three grandchildren.

Board of Commissioners of the Georgia Student Finance Commission

Gary M. Wisenbaker, 52, Savannah, First Congressional District Representative —

Wisenbaker is chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Wisenbaker Law Offices, PC.  He was previously a partner at Wisenbaker & Brooks, PC and a senior associate at Remler & Henderson.  He is chairman of the Savannah Bar Association Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the co-founder, secretary, and treasurer of Southside Abstract and Title Company, as well as an associate member of the Savannah Board of Realtors.  Wisenbaker earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University and a law degree from Mercer University.  He and his wife, Jeannie, have three children.  

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Joseph W. Hood III, 37, Chamblee, Criminal Justice Representative — Hood is the comptroller for the Georgia Department of Public Safety. He was a staff member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for over 10 years, serving as the grants division director for five years.  Prior state work includes experience as an auditor with the Georgia Department of Human Resources and as finance director at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.  Hood earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.  He and his wife, Renee, have three children.

Todd H. Ashley, 38, Milton, Criminal Justice Representative — Ashley is the deputy district attorney in the juvenile division of the office of the Fulton County District Attorney.  He previously served as assistant solicitor general for Cobb County, and solicitor general for the City of Lilburn.  He is a member of the ethics board for the city of Milton and the vice chairman of the Fulton County Republican Party.  Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a law degree from John Marshall Law School.

Pete P. Smith, 60, Americus, Criminal Justice Representative-

Smith is Sheriff, as well as Law Enforcement and EMA Director, of Sumter County. He was elected to the position in 2005.  He has been recognized as a Top 10 Youth Homes fund raiser at the 2007 Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Inc. Summer Training Conference.  He and his wife, Dorothy, have three grown children and three grandchildren.

State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

F. Karl Douglass, 39, Columbus, Consumer Representative (Reappointment) —

Douglass is principal of F.K. Douglass Company, a start-up firm specializing in business development joint ventures and strategic partnerships.  He previously served as 2^nd vice president in the areas of Compliance and Corporate Communications and as Director of Licensing at Aflac, Inc.  He serves on the board of directors for SunTrust bank of West Georgia and as a trustee of Leadership Georgia Foundation, Inc.  Douglass earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia.  He and his wife, Tonya, have one child.

William F. Doverspike, Ph.D., 56, Atlanta, Psychologist Representative — Doverspike is a practicing psychologist at William F. Doverspike, Ph.D., PC.  He teaches graduate courses in professional ethics, psychopathology and psychotherapy at Argosy University and at the Psychological Studies Institute.  He is a member, and previously served as president, of the ethics committee of the Georgia Psychological Association.  He is the editor of Georgia Psychologist Magazine, as well as the author of numerous books and articles.  He is a fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology and a member of the National Academy of Neuropsychology.  Doverspike earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University, and both a master’s degree and doctoral degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

State Board of Registration for Residential and General Contractors

Edward E. Strain III, 65, Cornelia, Public Member-

Strain is a partner at Cathey & Strain, PC.  He serves on the board of governors for the American Association of Justice and has served as president of the Mountain Judicial Circuit.  He has also served as vice president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and now serves on the executive committee.  Strain earned both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia.  He and his wife, Barbara, have two grown children.

Georgia Land Conservation Council

Paul H. Michael, 39, Roswell — Michael is vice president of development at TPA Realty Services.  He previously served as director of development and acquisitions for Hampton Island Preserve and as chief of real estate for the Department of Natural Resources.  He serves as a member of the Governor’s Capital Asset Management Advisory Council and the Wildlife Resources Division Steering Committee.  Michael earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree from Kennesaw State University.

Board of Commissioners of the Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund

Nels S. D. Peterson, 29, Marietta — Peterson is an associate attorney with King and Spalding, LLP.  He has previously worked in the United States Court of Appeals and for the Alliance Defense Fund.  He is a member of the Kennesaw State University Alumni Association and the Federalist Society.  Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.  He and his wife, Jennifer, have one child.

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