Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced the members of the House Rural Development Council for the 2019-2020 legislative term. This Council, which was reauthorized by House Resolution 214, will continue working with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth.

“The House Rural Development Council has done invaluable work to advance the economies of our rural communities in critical policy areas like healthcare, infrastructure and workforce development,” said Speaker Ralston. “I appreciate the Council’s commitment to growing jobs in rural Georgia and ensuring that prosperity is available to every Georgian – regardless of their zip code.”

For the 2019-2020 legislative term, House Education Chairman Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) and House General Government Appropriations Chairman Sam Watson (R-Moultrie) will serve as Co-Chairs of the Council. House Motor Vehicles Chairman John Corbett (R-Lake Park) will serve as Vice Chair of the Council.

House Rules Committee Chairman Jay Powell (R-Camilla) and House Appropriations Chairman Terry England (R-Auburn), who previously served as Co-Chairs of the Council, will remain members and have been name Co-Chairmen Emerti.

The other members of the House Rural Development Council are:

Patty Bentley (D-Butler)

Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin)

Mack Jackson (D-Sandersville)

Dominic LaRiccia (R-Douglas)

Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee)

Tom McCall (R-Elberton)

Clay Pirkle (R-Ashburn)

Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville)

Ed Rynders (R-Albany)

Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville)

Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville)

In addition, Speaker Ralston has named the following committee chairmen to serve as ex-officio members of the House Rural Development Council based on their subject-area expertise:

Shaw Blackmon– Chairman of Transportation & Infrastructure (Appropriations)

Sharon Cooper – Chairman of Health & Human Services

Robert Dickey – Chairman of K-12 Education (Appropriations)

Penny Houston – Chairman of Economic Development (Appropriations)

Chuck Martin – Chairman of Higher Education

Butch Parrish – Chairman of Healthcare (Appropriations)

Don Parsons – Chairman of Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

Trey Rhodes – Chairman of Game, Fish & Parks

Lynn Smith – Chairman of Natural Resources & Environment

Ron Stephens – Chairman of Economic Development

Kevin Tanner – Chairman of Transportation

Speaker Ralston has named Holli Pitcock as the Speaker’s Staff Coordinator for the Rural Development Council. In her role, Pitcock will coordinate logistical and staff support for the Council.