Deal names two Savannahians to state economic development panel
Eric Johnson
By 
Gov. Nathan Deal has named former state Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson of Savannah to the state Board of Economic Development.
Deal also named Richard Kevin Jackson, president and owner of EnviroVac Holdings LLC in Savannah, to the same board.
The panel meets four times a year and advises Chris Cummiskey, the state commissioner of economic development.
"This is a pretty big thing," said state Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah. "It's one of the biggest appointments you can get from the governor."
Johnson was an unsuccessful rival to Deal for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination, but has become one of his most prominent supporters.
He served on the governor's transition team and recently helped organize a reception that raised an estimated $200,000 for Deal's re-election campaign.
"Eric Johnson has spent most of his adult life giving his time and energy to our state," Deal said. "He represented Savannah in the legislature, but he served the whole state.
"Eric brings experience and dedication to the task of bringing jobs to Georgia, and he's a perfect fit for the board."
Johnson serves on the Savannah Economic Development Authority board and the Georgia Health Sciences University's Planning and Development Committee.
An architect, he's president of Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung International Inc.
Jackson is the finance chairman for U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston's Capital Cabinet and also serves on the local economic development panel.
In addition to Johnson and Jackson, Deal announced 31 appointments Friday.
Among them was Tricia Pridemore of Marietta. Deal recently backed her unsuccessful bid to lead the state GOP.
Johnson and Pridemore are co-chairs of Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty's Georgia campaign.
Deal also named Richard Riley, father of his chief of staff, Chris Riley, to the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority.
No comments:
Post a Comment