Gov. Kemp announces appointments across multiple state boards

Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced 34 appointments and reappointments to a range of state boards, authorities, and commissions in Georgia.

The Board of Governors of the Georgia L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center Authority saw the reappointment of Natasha Bell, Brian Daniel, Glenn Hicks, Aaron McWhorter, Bill Russell, Doug Tollett, and Dexter Warrior.

Omar Ali was highlighted for his experience in global construction and economic development. He leads two firms involved in infrastructure development and government contracting and serves on several boards including the Georgia State Board of General and Residential Contractors.

Butch Miller, previously a member of the Georgia State Senate representing Hall County and former Senate President Pro Tempore from 2018 through 2022, was recognized for his legislative service as well as leadership roles in the automobile industry. Miller has also been active in community organizations such as Gainesville Rotary and Meals on Wheels.

For the MARTA Board of Directors, Ryan Loke was appointed. Loke is Chief Health Policy Officer at Grady Health System and has held previous roles within state government focusing on healthcare policy.

Dana Garrett Diment was named to the State Ethics Commission. Diment is an attorney with over four decades of experience who has served as Special Assistant Attorney General for Georgia and participated actively in civic organizations.

Reappointments were made to several other bodies: Ronney L. Bowen III, Chase Daughtrey, Mike Greene, Annie Holder, and Bruce Wright to the Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund; Ellen Golden and Holly Veal to the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Judicial Retirement System; Tommy Black to the Georgia Composite Medical Board; Kent Fountain to the Georgia Seed Development Commission; James Chafin to the Sexual Offender Risk Review Board; Rachel Dodsworth, Kerry Dyer, and Marty Smith to the Capitol Arts Standards Commission; Taylor Wright to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; Shanna Jackson Sheats to the State Board of Funeral Service.

Andrea Meyer Stinson joins as Director for Workforce Strategy & Initiatives at a national mental health collaborative program focused on expanding Georgia’s licensed mental health workforce. Dr. Meyer Stinson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with academic experience at Mercer University.

Jaimie Allen continues as President and co-owner of Pike Creek Turf in Adel. Allen has led efforts in turfgrass production serving both domestic markets and international golf courses.

Elizabeth Reynolds will serve on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority. Reynolds works as Senior Director for Government Affairs at AT&T Georgia with involvement across various business organizations statewide.

Kelly Layton was appointed to the Georgia Council for the Arts. Layton is a freelance graphic designer engaged with advisory boards at both Franklin College (University of Georgia) and Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.

Isaaq Drumgoole joins as an environmental specialist with experience managing stormwater permitting at Georgia Power Company after previous work with local governments including Atlanta’s stormwater programs.

John Smithmyer becomes part of the Real Estate Appraisers Board bringing expertise from running appraisal education programs approved by regulatory bodies in both Georgia and South Carolina.

Ricky Dozier was named Partner at Newcomb & Boyd where he oversees electrical engineering projects across public- and private-sector developments throughout Georgia.

Tiffany Henderson joins the Massage Therapy board with over 15 years’ clinical experience providing therapeutic bodywork services while also teaching future massage therapists in Macon and Atlanta institutions.