Gov. Nathan Deal announced Thursday a new face to lead Georgia’s economic development efforts.
Chris Carr, chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and a former Alston & Bird lawyer, has been named the new commissioner of the state Department of Economic Development. He succeeds Chris Cummiskey, who is leaving the department next month to take an executive position with a Southern Co. subsidiary.
“Chris Carr is respected throughout the state and has built a deep reservoir of goodwill,” Deal said in a news release. “I trust he will pick up where Chris Cummiskey has left off and bring more economic expansion to Georgia. He has served Georgia well in Sen. Isakson’s office and he’ll continue to do that in his new capacity.
Deal also praised Cummiskey, who, among other things, helped land a Caterpillar factory in Athens, the Baxter International plant in Social Circle, the headquarters of homebuilder PulteGroup and new carpet plants in northwest Georgia.
“(Cummiskey has) led and partnered with me to make Georgia the No. 1 place in the nation to do business,” Deal said. “Others have obviously noticed Chris’s abilities, and he is moving on to a great opportunity. I wish him the best of luck, and we will miss him here.”
Cummiskey will serve until Oct. 11, before joined Southern Power as chief commercial officer. Carr is expected to become commissioner in November, pending economic development board approval.
About the Author
