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.
Lloyd Joiner, a Jonesboro resident and former executive with Delta Air Lines, joined the board of directors of the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) in 1998 and currently serves as its Vice-Chairman.
"In everything I've pursued professionally, I've tried to contribute to the community," says Joiner. "I hope my service on the Water Authority Board will reflect how important I feel the success of this organization affects the overall progress of our community."
Joiner joined Delta Air Lines in 1958. By the time he retired in 1991, he had advanced to the position of Manager of International Maintenance, which he described as "the best in the company." He says he particularly enjoyed setting up the maintenance programs for a majority of Delta's international destinations in Asia and Europe.
"I enjoyed my career at Delta because I witnessed so much growth and improvements at the airline," adds Joiner. "I was fortunate to be a part of the growing years," from the early days when the airline operated old DC-3's, to the more recent expansion into international flights.
Today, Joiner is a consultant for airlines, as well as for other aviation related businesses. He played a major role in helping ValuJet's maintenance operations rebound from the devastating crash in the Florida Everglades. As a consultant with R. Dixon Speas, Joiner enjoys the flexibility that comes with his retirement from Delta, as well as the satisfaction of knowing his consulting efforts continue to contribute to safer, better managed airline travel.
His business experience and familiarity with the growth of Clayton County are what Joiner says he brings to the Board of Directors at the Water Authority.
"It's an honor to serve my community in this capacity, because I believe very strongly in what we're trying to do on behalf of the county," says Joiner. "The decisions we are making today at the Authority will have a profound impact on how we live and work within this county for many years to come. I'm glad to be a part of such exciting developments."
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."
Wesley E. Greene, Sr. has always had a desire to serve the Clayton County community. He was well known to Clayton County residents when he was appointed to the CCWA Board in 1994. Greene is the owner of the Greene Insurance Agency in Jonesboro, where he has aided many clients in the county. As for leadership, he served terms as chairman of the Clayton County Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. That knowledge and expertise made him a perfect fit for the Board of the Clayton County Water Authority.
Greene's first term on the board came when Clayton County Commission Chairman C. Crandle Bray appointed him in 1994. He served until September 1999, acting as Vice Chairman for just over three years. After a short break, Greene rejoined the board in March 2000, where he still serves today.
When asked about the success of the Authority, he is quick to deflect credit. "We have the finest group of employees in the industry. There is a culture here that makes people want to stay for a long time," he explains.
When asked about the board's role in that culture, he again points to the employees. "We make every attempt to treat our employees well. A few years ago, we conducted a major pay study to ensure that our employee's compensation was in line with industry standards. We also make every effort to promote from within. We want to cultivate leaders within our organization and then reward them for their hard work."
But when it comes to employee retention, Greene points to what he knows best, insurance. "I have no doubt that our employee benefit plan is as good as any in the industry. We offer health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement. It is a package that is good for the employees and their families." He points to these benefits as one of the catalysts of the family-style culture within the Authority and as a key to the long-term tenures of many Authority employees.
Anyone who has ever attended a CCWA Board meeting or sat down with Greene immediately understands that he cares deeply about the organization and the direction that he and this board are taking it. "This board works very well together. There is a synergy between members who are working for a common purpose and toward a common goal - to have the best water utility in the country."
Toward that goal, he points to the master plan process as one of the most important contributors to the water utility's progress. "By planning 10 to 20 years ahead, we can assess our future needs and then budget to meet those needs. We have always been ahead of the curve, from land treatment to constructed wetlands. We have always sought innovative and cost effective methods to deliver the safest water to our customers."
In addition to his work with the CCWA, Greene has also been a leader in the local chapter of the NAACP. Greene is active in the ministry at the Amazing Grace World Outreach Church he and his wife founded in Clayton County.
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.
Doug Bonner has called Clayton County home for more than 40 years. Growing up in Riverdale, he attended Riverdale Elementary School, Riverdale Junior High and North Clayton High School.
As a teenager, Bonner excelled in football while playing at North Clayton High School. His talent was good enough to earn him a football scholarship to Livingston University in Alabama.
“I owe this county a lot. It has been my home for almost my entire life, and it is because of the Clayton County Public School system that I was able to go to college.”
After college, Bonner managed properties and a staffing business for many years. He then ventured into his current career of residential building and real estate developing.
Since Bonner joined the CCWA Board of Directors in April 2006, he has been learning the intricacies of the county’s water and sewer system. He says he is enjoying learning more about the processes and the facilities that make the Authority an industry leader.
“While touring the recently expanded Hooper (Water Production) Plant, I was amazed at how technologically advanced the whole operation is,” Bonner adds. “We all take safe drinking water for granted. I think most customers would be surprised at what all goes into producing their water.”
Bonner says he has been pleased with the willingness of fellow board members to welcome him and to share their knowledge. “It is a pleasure to serve on a board with others who really care about our community.”