BOARD MEMBERS
Pete McQueen, Chairman of the Board for the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA), makes no bones about what he thinks of his community's water utility.
"We have the best water authority in the state of Georgia, and we continue to improve on it," he says proudly. "Getting to the top is difficult, but staying there is even more challenging."
McQueen invested much of his professional career serving other people as a 38-year educator in public schools, the majority of which as an administrator for Clayton County Schools. He proudly accepted an appointment to the CCWA Board of Directors in 1997, and was elected chairman in 2001.
The Water Authority, as a case study in good government according to McQueen, continues to benefit from outstanding leadership, as the current chairman credits the utility's long list of industry accolades to those who have come before him and to those who serve on the board now.
"We have an outstanding board," notes McQueen. "I have served on many boards through the years, but this one is perhaps the best. They are diverse, caring, professional, and very capable individuals who work well together."
McQueen began his career as a teacher and coach in Mississippi. He obtained his bachelor degree from William Carey College and his master's degree, as well as his education specialist credentials in school administration, from Southern Mississippi University.
Upon his arrival to Clayton County, Mr. McQueen held positions at multiple local schools before joining the county office. He advanced to the role of administrative assistant to the superintendent while at Clayton County Schools headquarters, and eventually retired as the assistant superintendent in charge of auxiliary services.
In addition to his career in public education, Mr. McQueen has spent years in Clayton County active in other community interests, notably as a board member for Clayton Clean and Beautiful, past member of Kiwanis International, and active in local politics.
Marie Barber joined the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) Board on October 6, 1999 as the first female member in the history of the utility and her fellow board members have since elected her as Secretary/Treasurer.
She was very familiar with many facets of Clayton County before she began her tenure at the Authority. Her two sons went through the Clayton County school system, where she volunteered for many years. After many years of working for the Clayton County Public Schools as a Resource Coordinator for Pre-Kindergarten, Barber retired in May 2006.
Barber knew that after her sons left home for college, she wanted to give back in some capacity to Clayton County for all that it had done for her family. She began to make her presence known in the county by volunteering, as well as participating in Leadership Clayton, Grassroots Leadership, and other community groups.
Clayton County Commissioner Carl Rhodenizer, seeing her at various functions, asked if she would be interested in serving on the Water Authority board. She was excited by the invitation, knowing that it would be very different from any board she had previously served on, not to mention challenging because of the importance of CCWA policy.
Barber began paving the way in public service for women and African-Americans in Clayton County when she joined the CCWA Board as its first female member. She saw this as an opportunity to make a difference in her community, while acting as a role model for others. Thus, she was honored for the chance to serve the Authority and her home county in this capacity.
Looking back, Barber feels that what she once saw as a challenge has now become a very rewarding, not to mention educating, experience.
"Before joining the board, I just thought you turned the tap on and water would come out," she recalls. "I had no idea what went into getting that water there."
When asked about what she has enjoyed most about being a CCWA board member, Barber says learning the intricacies of a complex organization that provides a vital community service.
Barber acknowledges that she has learned a great deal from her fellow board members as well. "I have learned so much from each individual. Everyone is truly a team player and that is what makes us a great board." That teamwork has also showed positive results for how the Authority stacks up against comparable water utilities.
"We truly have one of the best utilities in the world," she adds. "That is obvious when people from other countries come to visit our facilities. That is also a reflection of the great employees we have at the Authority from the top position all the way down. It takes a whole team to make us what we are today."
John Westervelt is President of the Clayton County division of Heritage Bank, located in downtown Jonesboro. His banking career began in 1977, with Trust Company Bank of Atlanta, and for 24 years, he continued to apply his financial expertise for banks throughout Georgia and Louisiana. Although John has broad work experience with virtually every aspect of community banking, his current focus at Heritage Bank has been in the areas of commercial lending and new business development.
For the past eight years, John has also taught courses in Business Credit, Small Business Loan Packaging, and Financing a Small Business, as an instructor for the office of Continuing Education at Clayton State University in Morrow. Since moving to Clayton County in 1987, John has been active in various community organizations, providing support for the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development group, participating as a current member and past Vice President of the Southlake Kiwanis Club, and serving as a Board Member of the Solid Waste Management Authority.
"The Clayton County Water Authority has a solid reputation as one of the best managed water and wastewater utilities in this country, and it's a privilege to serve with such experienced board members," says Westervelt. "We look forward to continuing to provide residents with quality, safe drinking water, while doing so in the most cost-effective manner possible."
As a resident of Clayton County and a businessman here, Westervelt says he is encouraged thus far by the insights he's gained about the future plans of the Water Authority, especially those included in the planned capital improvements, called the Water Resources Initiative.
"In this day and age, we have to continually prepare for growth and expansion, and this organization and its board have taken the necessary steps to put Clayton County on the right path as it continues to grow," he says. "It's an exciting time to be a part of this group."
John Chafin is no stranger to the people of Clayton County. He has served his community as a business owner, elected representative, and now as a member of the Clayton County Water Authority's (CCWA) Board of Directors.
Chafin was born in McDonough and moved to Clayton County in 1974 to work for Christian Brother's Pharmacy. Since then, he has become a fixture in the Clayton County Community, eventually purchasing the pharmacy from Dr. George Christian in 1984, and he is still the owner today.
His appointment to the Authority Board is not the first time Chafin has represented the people of Clayton County. He served as a member of the Forest Park City Council from 1988 - 1990. He was then elected to represent the community in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1990 - 1992. He has also served as head of the Tara District of the Boy Scouts of America and on the Clayton County Hospital Authority.
"I have said for a long time that the most valuable resource in Clayton County is its people," says Chafin. "It is with that understanding that I accepted this appointment. There can be no bigger issue in the health of a community than the safety and security of the water supply. I look forward to serving this community as a steward of that water."
Professionally, Chafin is a member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, the Professional Compounding Centers of America, and the Georgia Pharmacy Association. He was recently honored as the 2003 Georgia Pharmacist of the Year by the Georgia Partnership for Caring Foundation.
Dr. Don McMillian Jr. joined the CCWA Board of Directors in October 2009 when he was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Doug Bonner, who resigned from the board when he moved out of the county.
McMillian grew up in Clayton County and is a graduate of Jonesboro High School. After high school, he followed his father’s footsteps and attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Science before beginning a career as a veterinarian. He owns Jonesboro Animal Hospital, a business which his father started in 1962 when the county was mostly rural farm land.
Since McMillian’s roots run deep in the county, he has always been aware of the Authority’s reputation as a leader in the water industry. “I’ve always known the Water Authority was a professional organization that was a leader in the nation when it came to technology and ideas,” he says. “But until I began serving on the board, I had no idea the level of professionalism and pride that employees here have. Whenever employees are being recognized at our Board Meetings, you can see the pride they feel for this company.”
As a board member, McMillian says it is his goal to continue the tradition set by previous board members to look for innovative technology that puts us ahead of the curve and operate as efficiently as possible. While many companies have decided to ‘go green’ over the past few years, he says conservation is a core business for CCWA. “I’m really impressed with what we are doing here in terms of conservation and protecting our environment,” McMillian adds. “This isn’t just a PR splash. Our water recycling and leak detection initiatives are something of real substance.”
Along with serving on the CCWA Board of Directors, McMillian serves on the Southern Regional Medical Center Foundation and the Clayton County Zoning Appeals Board. He is also a founding member of the Lake Spivey Community.
Biographical information coming soon.
Biographical information coming soon.