Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointment

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that former State Rep. Richard Royal of Camilla has been sworn in to a seat on the Jekyll Island State Park Authority (JIA).

“Richard has served his state and community well for decades, and his experience and commitment to public service will be valuable to the Authority,” said Governor Perdue.  “I also commend Tom Lewis for his service over the last five months.”

Royal replaces Tom C. Lewis who has served as an interim board member since October 2008. Rep. Royal retired from the Georgia House of Representatives in January 2009.

“I look forward to continuing my service to the State of Georgia and working to protect and preserve such a valuable natural resource as Jekyll Island,” Royal said.

A brief biography is provided below:

JekyllIsland State ParkAuthority

Richard Royal, Camilla, Member at Large- Royal is president and owner of Royal Investments, Inc. and is retired from the Georgia House of Representatives. He is a past president of the Camilla Chamber of Commerce and the Camilla Rotary Club and served ten years on the City Council of Camilla. He has received numerous awards such as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Legislator of the Year Award, and the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Award. Royal earned a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Marilyn, have five grown children and nine grandchildren.

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