This article first appeared in the Brunswick News
The Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority recently added two new faces to its board of directors.
Jones Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority, and Bill Austin officially joined the group Monday. Each are able to serve two, three-year terms.
Hooks and Austin replaced Cedric King and Bruce Dixon, who both served six years, including turns as chairman. A total of nine applicants sent resumes to be considered for positions. One of those was a reappointment, Jack Kilgore, who will serve as vice chairman during this term.
Making a Difference
For the new members, joining the board is both an honor and a call to service, they said. Hooks said he is looking forward to helping make a positive difference for the Golden Isles.
“I’m excited about being a part of it. This is a board that really cares about the entire community. It is charged with the task of pursuing economic development that translates, hopefully, into jobs and investment,” Hooks said.
That mission will not be new territory for Hooks, who worked for decades in economic and community development prior to joining the Jekyll Island Authority.
“I have a long history of being involved in economic development as well as community development throughout my career,” Hooks said. “So it is something that is not unusual for me to follow and to be a part of. I am looking forward to working with the group. There are some good people there, very conscious and dedicated.”
Hooks’ fellow new member, Austin, agrees. Now retired, the St. Simons Island resident has a background in organizational development for a variety of companies. He is also ready to get to work.
“I think it is an outstanding board. I’ve been to the majority of their meetings over the last two or three years,” Austin said. “They do an awful lot for all of Glynn County. I just hope to be a part of that and to continue to stimulate business and new and different kinds of jobs for Brunswick and Glynn County.”
In addition to Hooks and Austin, other authority board members include Georgia Power area manager Paulo Albuquerque, who is serving as chairman; Kilgore, vice chairman; and Wayne Johnson, who is currently president of the Coastal Bank of Georgia, who will serve as secretary-treasurer.
Variety of Experience
For Mel Baxter, authority president, feels that the mix of experience on the board will bode well for the success of the organization and the community as a whole.
“Every one of our board members has been plugged in to the community. They have the right kind of talent, are very business-oriented and adept at talking to companies,” Baxter said.
He feels both new members will also bring a lot of experience to the board.
“I am very excited about Jones Hooks, who actually teaches courses on economic development and who has a huge background in it. He also has a huge following with the state and on the national level. So he has tremendous resources,” Baxter said. “And of course, Bill Austin has run businesses. He also has a lot of experience in HR. That is what Cedric brought to the table too, so he will be a great replacement.”
