Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA (July  25) - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments.

Board of Community Affairs

H. Clifford "Cliff" Sheppard, Jr., 53, Sandersville, GA Third Congressional District - Sheppard is the president of Howard Sheppard, Inc., which provides common and contract services in the transportation of bulk commodities, particularly kaolin, carbonates and non-hazardous chemicals. He is the chairman of the board of Citizens Bank of Washington County, chairman of the board for Brentwood School and a member of the First Baptist Church in Sandersville. He attended Middle Georgia College and Georgia Southwestern State University. He and his wife, Dianne, have two children. 

Board of Directors of the Georgia Technology Authority

W. Ray Cross, 39, Tifton, GA, Member – Cross is the chief executive officer of Affinity Health Group, a multi-specialty physicians group. He serves as an executive board member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and as director of the Tifton Banking Company. He was appointed to the Tifton Downtown Development Authority and to the local advisory board of directors for the Branch Banking & Trust Company. Cross earned a master’s degree in business and health administration from the University of Colorado. He and his wife, Melanie, have two children.

Board of Governors of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Robert “Bob” S. Prather, Jr., 60, Atlanta, GA, Member (REAPPOINTMENT) – Prather is the president of Gray Television, Inc. and the Bull Run Corporation. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, the World Presidents’ Organization, the Swiss Army Brand Board of Directors and the Gabelli Asset Management Board of Directors. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Elaine, have two grown children.

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority

Howard E. “Doc” Ayers, 83, Cedartown, GA, Member (REAPPOINTMENT) – Ayers works in real estate with the Dempsey Auction Company in Rome. He has spent 34 years devoted to teaching and coaching football. Ayers was hired by Coach Vince Dooley as his first assistant coach, stayed at the University of Georgia from 1964-1980 and was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He is a member of the G-Club, the American Legion, the Polk County Community Foundation Board, the Retired Teachers Association and the Georgia Real Estate Association. Ayers attended Piedmont College and the University of Georgia and earned a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. He and his wife, Glenda, have three grown children.

James “Jim” L. Rollins, Jr., 61, Macon, GA, Member (REAPPOINTMENT) – Rollins is a commercial real estate broker for The Summit Group. Previously, he served as the national accounts executive for the Georgia Power Company. He is a member of the Greater Macon Housing Corporation, the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, the Macon Chamber of Commerce and the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. He is a past member of the Downtown Rotary Club, the Georgia Retail Association and the Home Builders Association of Georgia. Rollins earned an associate’s degree from Middle Georgia College and a bachelor’s degree in building construction from Auburn University. He and his wife, Angela, have two grown children.

Norman Lee “N.L.” Yates, Jr., 62, Dublin, GA, Member – In 1994, Yates opened the first Arby’s restaurant in Dublin, GA and became president of Yates Food. Since 1994, he has opened two more Arby’s restaurants and a Stormin Norman’s BBQ Restaurant. He has served as President of the Dublin Country Club, President of the Dublin Rotary Club, President of the Dublin Touchdown Club, President of the Dublin/Wrightsville Bulldog Club and is a former member of the Georgia Board of Community Affairs . Yates attended Middle Georgia College and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Gail, have four grown children, and are active in Pine Forest Methodist Church.

State Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology

Elizabeth F. Larrimore, 52, Savannah, GA, Pathologist Member – Larrimore is the executive director of the Savannah Speech and Hearing Center. Previously, she served as a speech-language pathologist for the same organization and has extensive experience in diagnostic and therapeutic work with individuals of all ages. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Association of Speech and Hearing Centers. Larrimore earned a bachelor’s degree in speech correction from Armstrong State College, a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Georgia, a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia Southern University and is currently earning a doctorate in educational administration from Georgia Southern University. She has two children.

State Board of Optometry

Patricia R. Donnelly, 62, Warner Robins, GA, Public At Large Member – Donnelly, now retired, was employed with C.R. Rader Co. Jeweler and Giftware for 20 years. She is a member of the House and Garden Club of Macon, the Friends of the Cannonball House, the Warner Robins Officers’ Wives Club and is active in civic affairs. She is married to Richard Donnelly.

William “Bill” C. Sharpton, Jr., O.D., 66, Lakemont, GA, Optometrist Member – Sharpton founded Acworth Family Eye Care where he practiced optometry for over 35 years. He currently practices through his businesses, On Call Consultative Optometry and Low Vision Services of Georgia. He is a member of the Georgia Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Rotary Club of Clayton and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Sharpton earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree and doctorate from the Southern College of Optometry. He and his wife, Michele, have two grown children.

State Board of Registration of Used Car Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers

Hoyt E. Ausburn, Cornelia, 75, GA, Public At Large Member – Ausburn is the owner and chief executive officer of Cornelia Cleaners, Inc. and has served in this capacity for 26 years. He is a member of the Habersham County Rotary Club and the Habersham Chamber of Commerce. Ausburn attended Piedmont College. He has two grown children and is an active member of the Level Grove Baptist Church.

Eugene “Gene” A. Sapp, 72, Athens, GA, Public At Large Member – Sapp retired as the owner and operator of Modern Body Shop, which he sold to his four sons in 2001. He is a former member of the Clarke County Board of Commissioners and the Clarke County Planning and Zoning Board. Sapp earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Mary, have four grown sons