Governor Deal Appoints 29 to State Boards

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Monday, November 5th, 2018

David Glass, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)
Glass is the senior vice president of Glass Financial Group, Inc. He is a former president of Parent to Parent of Georgia. Glass sat on the advisory boards for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities and The Arc Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Estate Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia. Glass and his wife, Betsy, have two children and reside in Sandy Springs.

Dr. Jan Ligon, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)
Ligon is an associate professor of Social Work at Georgia State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Ligon and his wife, Ann, live in Atlanta.

Jimmy Thomas, Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (reappointment)
Thomas is the sheriff of Pike County. He is the Region 4 vice president of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association. Thomas is a graduate of the Clayton County Law Enforcement Academy and the FBI Academy. He and his wife, Margaret, have three children and four grandchildren. They reside in Concord.

Thomas Eugene Bowen, Board of Commissioners of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (reappointment)
Bowen is the director of Global Indirect Tax for DXC Technology. He is also an attorney and a certified public accountant. Bowen previously worked in public accounting with several multinational accounting firms. He is a former chairman of the board of education for the DeKalb County School System. Bowen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. He has one child and live in Decatur.

Frank Faison Middleton IV, Board of Commissioners of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (reappointment)
Middleton is the managing partner of Watson Spence LLP. He previously worked at McKenna Long & Aldridge. Middleton sits on the boards of directors for AB&T and the FlintRiverQuarium. He previously sat on the boards of directors for the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce and the First Tee of Albany. Middleton is a former member of the young executive board of Regions Bank in Albany and the boards of trustees for Leadership Georgia, the Albany Museum of Art and the Lily Pad SANE Center. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Dougherty County. Middleton is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Albany. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. Middleton and his wife, Kari, have two children and reside in Albany.

Sharon Mason, Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
Mason is the president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. She has more than 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including five leadership positions with the Cobb Chamber. Mason sits on the boards of directors for the Council for Quality Growth, the Regional Business Coalition of Metropolitan Atlanta, IgniteHQ and MUST Ministries. She is a former president of Friends for the East Cobb Park. Mason is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, the Cobb Chamber’s Honorary Commanders, Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Cobb. She was named to Georgia Trend’s list of “2018 Notable Georgians” and liveSAFE Resources’ Academy of Women Leaders in 2015. Mason earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University. She and her husband, Mike, have one child and attend North Point Community Church. They live in Marietta.

Michael L. “Sully” Sullivan, Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
Sullivan is the president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia. He is the chairman of the Gwinnett County Water and Sewage Authority. Sullivan sits on the board of governors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the executive committee for the Georgia Transportation Alliance and the board of directors for the Council for Quality Growth. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a law degree from the University of Georgia. Sullivan and his wife, Rebecca, have two children and reside in Snellville.

Kathryn Zickert, Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
Zickert is a partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP. She was previously a magistrate for DeKalb County and an adjunct professor for Emory University School of Law. Zickert represented DeKalb County on the Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority board of directors. She was selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers for Land Use and Zoning Law in America and named the Lawyer of the Year for Zoning and Land Use in Georgia four time. Zickert earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from Emory University School of Law. She has one child and lives in Decatur.

David Barbee, Board of Human Services (reappointment)
Barbee retired from HRP Nursing Service, Inc. He is the chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Historic Preservation Commission. Barbee is a former assistant secretary of the Georgia Republican Party, a former chairman of the Augusta-Richmond County Human Relations Commission and a former member of the Augusta Housing Authority. He is a graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute and Leadership Augusta. Barbee and his wife, Debbie, have three children and seven grandchildren. They reside in Augusta. 

Robertiena “Tiena” Fletcher, Board of Human Services (reappointment)
Fletcher retired as the director of pharmacy services for Houston Healthcare in Warner Robins. She sits on the boards of directors for the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and Heart of Georgia Hospice, Inc. Fletcher is a member of the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Fort Valley Chapter of The Links, Inc. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Mercer University, a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Xavier University and master’s degrees in Science Administration and Business Administration from Georgia College. Fletcher and her husband, Donnie, have three children and live in Perry.

Tony Marshall, Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia State Plan Advisory Council
Marshall is the president and CEO of the Georgia Health Care Association and Georgia Center for Assisted Living. He has more than 28 years of experience in health care, including nearly two decades in association management. Marshall is a member of the Georgia Council on Aging, Georgia’s Older Adults Cabinet and the Governor’s Complete Count Committee. He sits on the board of directors for the American Healthcare Association’s Affiliated State Health Care Association Executives. Marshall earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Janet, reside in McDonough.

Dr. John Morgan, Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia State Plan Advisory Council
Morgan is a professor of neurology and the director of the Movement Disorders Program at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He is also the director of the Memory Assessment Clinic with Georgia Memory Net and the Georgia Alzheimer’s Project. Morgan earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Florida and a medical degree and a doctoral degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his residency in Neurology at the University of Virginia. Morgan and his wife, Lori, have four children and live in Martinez.

Lynn Ross, Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia State Plan Advisory Council
Ross retired from the Movement Disorders Program in the Department of Neurology at Emory University. She sits on the board of directors for the Georgia chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Ross is a member of the Culture Change Network of Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Valdosta State University. Ross resides in Atlanta.

Dr. Conrado Marion-Landais, Georgia’s Employment First Council
Marion-Landais is the diversity and inclusion manager for Georgia Power. He is the founding chairperson of Disability:IN Greater Atlanta, an affiliate of Disability:IN. Marion-Landais is a member of the Atlanta Diversity Management Advocacy Group leadership board and the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta advisory council. He is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and the American Institute for Managing Diversity’s Leadership Academy Program. Marion-Landais earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and a master's degree and a doctoral degree from the University of South Florida. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children and live in Dunwoody.

James Stinchcomb, Georgia’s Employment First Council
Stinchcomb is a graduation coach and part-time faculty member in the Department of Social Work and Human Services at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He is also the CEO of Baux Blue Consulting. Stinchcomb was previously the director of operations for the Cobb and Douglas Counties Community Services Boards. He is the vice president of Professional Development and Education for the National Organization for Human Services. Stinchcomb earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a master’s degree in Public Administration from KSU and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. He is a board-certified human resources practitioner and a certified nonprofit professional. Stinchcomb resides in Kennesaw.

David C. Ward, Georgia’s Employment First Council
Ward is the President and CEO of the Tommy Nobis Center. He has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including leadership positions with the Wounded Warrior Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Best Buddies International. Ward previously worked with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio. He sits on the board for the Georgia Association of Training, Employment and Supports. Ward was a nominee for the Turknett Leadership Group’s 2018 Leadership Character Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton University and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Ward and his wife, Priscilla, have two children and live in Powder Springs.

John B. Wells III, Georgia’s Employment First Council
Wells is the district manager for Colonial Insurance in Midwest Georgia. He is an ordained deacon in the Southern Baptist Church. Wells founded the East Kentucky Veterans Referral Center and served as mayor pro tem of the City of Paintsville for one term. He also taught history for the University of Kentucky Community College System and for Morehead State University. Wells is a former member of the committee to restore the Coweta County Courthouse and the board for the Newnan High School Football Touchdown Club. He served in both Kentucky and Georgia as a coach for Special Olympics. He is a former president of his Kiwanis Club. He and his wife, Terrie, have one child and reside in Newnan.

Todd Youngblood, Georgia’s Employment First Council
Youngblood is the executive director of Kay Community Service Center in Fort Valley. He previously taught special education and coached football, basketball and baseball. Youngblood is the assistant softball coach at Crawford County High School. He is the sport manager for the 2019 Special Olympics USA Powerlifting World Games. Youngblood earned a bachelor’s degree in Interrelated Special Education from Georgia Southern University. He and his wife, Andrea, have three children and two grandchildren. They live in Fort Valley.

Lee Kirkland, Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council
Kirkland is the city manager for the City of Milan. He has 17 years of experience as the fire chief of the Milan Volunteer Fire Department. Kirkland worked as the director of Dodge-Wilcox E911, a paramedic and a firefighter. He is a member of the Georgia Fire Academy Advisory Council, the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Section and the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission Planning Advisory Committee. Kirkland and his wife, Stephanie, have one child and reside in Rhine.

Martin William Smith, Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (reappointment)
Smith is the chairman of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. He sits on the management board for ACCG. Smith previously worked with the Carroll County Farm Bureau, J. Smith Lanier & Co., and a local grading and development business. He is certified/earned certification in Erosion Control and Wetlands Mitigation. Smith is active with his local Rotary Club and a deacon at First Baptist Church of Carrollton. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of West Georgia. Smith and his wife, Pamela, have three children and live in Carrollton.

Timothy G. Stowers, Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council
Stowers is the fire captain of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety and head of the Fire Training Division. He has more than 30 years of experience as a fire service professional. He has worked as an adjunct instructor for both the Georgia Fire Academy and National Fire Academy for more than 25 years. Stowers earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbia Southern University. He has two children.

Randy Toms, Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council (reappointment)
Toms is the mayor of Warner Robins. He retired as a lieutenant with the Warner Robins Fire Department following 27 years of service. Toms is a member of the Houston County Board of Health and the 21st Century Partnership executive committee. He earned an associate degree from Georgia Military College. Toms and his wife, Jane, have two children and five grandchildren. They reside in Warner Robins.

Dr. Destiny Hebert, State Board of Physical Therapy
Hebert is a licensed physical therapist and an area director for BenchMark Physical Therapy. She is an associate professor at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Hebert earned a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UNG and a doctoral degree from the Medical College of Georgia. She has two children and lives in Cumming.

Dr. Anne Thompson, State Board of Physical Therapy
Thompson is the retired department head for Rehabilitation Sciences and director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus. She is a part-time instructor and continues active clinical practice. Thompson sits on the board for the Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy and is a former president of the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, a master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Duke University and a doctoral degree in Educational Administration from Georgia Southern University. Thompson and her husband, Tom, have one child and reside in Savannah.

Dr. Laurri Wallace, State Board of Physical Therapy
Wallace is the chief operating officer for Georgia Spine and Orthopaedics Surgery Center of Roswell. She has 18 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist and is a former area vice president of Physiotherapy Associates. Wallace earned bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Physical Therapy, master’s degrees in Health Science and Business Administration and a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. She and her husband, Rodney, have three children and live in Temple.

Angie Surface, State Employee Benefit Council (reappointment)
Surface is the deputy director of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA). She was previously the director of quality assurance and the director of Peach State Reserves for ERSGA. Surface has more than 20 years of experience with employee benefit administration, including work with Watson Wyatt Worldwide and Hewitt Associates. She is a member of the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators, the National Association of State Retirement Administrators and the Government Finance Officers Association. Surface earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida. She and her husband, Homer, have two children and reside in Atlanta. 

Chris Wells, State Employee Benefit Council
Wells is the director of the Physical and Economic Development Division for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. He is a member of Leadership Georgia’s class of 2019. Wells earned bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Political Science from Francis Marion University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Augusta University. He and his wife, Shameka, live in Mableton.

Terrell West, State Employee Benefit Council (reappointment)
West is the deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and has more than three decades of experience with DNR. He is a lifetime member of the Peace Officer’s Association of Georgia and an appointed member of the U.S. Coast Guard National Boating Safety Advisory Council. West earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Oglethorpe University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He and his wife, Cheryl, have six children and six grandchildren. They reside in Conyers.

Monirah T. Womack, State Employee Benefit Council (reappointment)
Womack is a private business consultant and the owner of On Purpose | Relationship Capital at Work. She has more than 30 years of experience in consulting. Womack is a former president of the Enneagram Association in the Narrative Tradition and volunteers as a mentor coordinator for professional development of the Enneagram in Business Network. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Georgia Southern University. Womack has one child and two grandchildren. She lives in Atlanta.