Gov.-elect Nathan Deal has chosen Chris Cummiskey, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and former state House Speaker Glenn Richardson, as the state's next economic development commissioner.
In an announcement Monday that included the decision to reappoint several sitting commissioners, Deal said Cummiskey is the partner he needs to "kick-start our economic growth -- my No. 1 priority as governor of Georgia."
"Chris brings both private- and public-sector experience to the table; he knows how the state must balance good public services -- particularly education -- with the need to maintain a strong business climate," Deal said in a release.
Deal will present Cummiskey to the Economic Development Department's board, which will have the final say on the appointment.
"The governor-elect has forwarded the nomination of Chris Cummiskey effective immediately," said Brian Robinson, Deal's communications director. "He expects to see the board vote on the new commissioner at some point before Jan. 10."
The governor-elect also said he plans to keep in place several commissioners.
They include Greg Dozier, commissioner of the Department of Driver Services; Mike Beatty, commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs; Vernon Keenan, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; and Steve Stancil, director of the Georgia Building Authority, State Property Commission and the Financing and Investment Commission.
Other sitting leaders staying on are Todd Long, planning director of the Department of Transportation, and Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia.
Cummiskey, a graduate of the University of Georgia, is currently director of state relations for the school, a post he has held since 2008. He represents the university in matters with state government offices and is the primary liaison with state officials.
Before taking his UGA position, Cummiskey was chief of staff for Richardson. He had previously worked for Isakson for three years as state director.
Cummiskey also managed energy trading desks for energy companies in Georgia, California and Texas. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Sandy Springs.
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