Gov. Nathan Deal names two new state school board members

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.

Credit: Curtis Compton

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

Ty Tagami is the state education reporter 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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