Atlanta - When the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Board meets in August, its new leadership team will be in place.

At its June 2008 meeting, Billy Croker, of Polk County, was made the new vice chairman. Nathan Dean, of Rockmart, was named the new secretary.

H. Clifford Sheppard, Jr., of Sandersville, was named the new chairman.

The newly elected officers assume their positions on July 1.

"We welcome Cliff, Billy and Nathan into their new leadership roles," DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty said. "Each of these gentlemen has been an asset to our board.

"As DCA looks to make a more significant impact by partnering with Georgia communities, we look forward to the counsel the new leaders and other board members will provide," Beatty added. "We would also like to thank Dr. Willie Adams for his dedicated service as board chairman. Since his appointment to the DCA Board in 2005, Mayor Adams has provided valuable insight regarding many issues of importance to Georgia communities. His leadership kept DCA moving forward."

About the new officers:

New DCA Board Chairman H. Clifford "Cliff" Sheppard, Jr. is the president of Howard Sheppard, Inc., a company that provides common and contract services in the transportation of bulk commodities, particularly kaolin, carbonates and non-hazardous chemicals. Sheppard is also Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank in Washington County, Chairman of the Board of the Brentwood School (Sandersville) and a member of the First Baptist Church in Sandersville. He is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University. He and his wife, Dianne, live in Sandersville and have two children and three grandchildren. Sheppard was appointed to the DCA board in 2005 to represent the state's 12th Congressional District.

New DCA Board Vice Chairman James "Billy" Croker is the president of Billy Croker Realty and a retired owner of Croker Hardware. He serves on the Polk County Commission and also as chairman Chairman of County Chief Elected Officials of North Georgia and Coosa Valley Regional Development Center. He also serves as a board member for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) - Board of Managers, Polk County Chamber of Commerce and the West Georgia Regional Water Authority. Previously, Croker served as a Director of Regions Banks, Chairman - Polk County Board; and President, ACCG. He is a member of the Cedartown Valley Shrine Club. Croker and his wife, Patsy, have five children and are active members of the First Baptist Church (Cedartown). He is serving his second term on the DCA board, being appointed in 2000 and re-appointed in 2005 to represent the state's 11th Congressional District.

New DCA Board Secretary Nathan Dean is the president of Nathan Dean Agency, Inc. He previously served in both the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia State Senate. Dean is a member of the Chambers of Commerce for Bartow, Haralson, Paulding and Polk Counties. He is a Mason, Shriner and a Lifetime Honorary Member of the American Legion. Dean attended Shorter College. He and his wife, Ann, live in Rockmart and have two children and one grandchild. Dean was appointed to the DCA board in 2006 as an At Large Member.