The board of the Georgia Department of Economic Development on Thursday approved the appointment of Chris Carr as the agency’s commissioner.

Carr is the chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal named Carr to post last week. Carr will start Nov. 1, and will replace Chris Cummiskey, who is leaving the department to join a subsidiary of Southern Co. in an executive role. The board also approved annual compensation for Carr of $169,500.