Education
Education

Governor names two new state school board members

The Georgia Board of Education makes policy for the state Department of Education
Rep. Mike Cheokas (left), R - Americus, Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee, speaks with Tom Daniel, Sr. Vice Chancellor, External Affairs with the University System of Georgia, who is retiring after more than 40 years with state government. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Rep. Mike Cheokas (left), R - Americus, Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee, speaks with Tom Daniel, Sr. Vice Chancellor, External Affairs with the University System of Georgia, who is retiring after more than 40 years with state government. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM
By Ty Tagami
Jan 10, 2017

Gov. Nathan Deal has named two new members to the Georgia Board of Education: Mike Cheokas of Americus and and Lee Anne Cowart of Thomson.

Cheokas will represent the 2nd Congressional District, replacing W.T. Henry. Cowart will represent the 10th Congressional District, replacing Brian Burdette.

Ginger Howard (left) and Lee Anne Cowart set the stage with paintings of Donald Trump and Mike Pence for the Republican watch party Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

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Credit: Curtis Compton

Cheokas, a businessman who owns a liquor store, is a former Republican state representative who was unseated last year and has experience serving on a college foundation. He is married with three children. Cowart, a businesswoman who owns an interior design firm, has experience on a university board. She is married with four children plus two children-in-law and one grandchild.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

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