ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal has named two Gainesville businessmen, one of them his longtime business partner, to the Georgia Ports Authority.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Ken Cronan and James Walters, both of Gainesville, and Hugh M. Tarbutton of Sandersville were appointed to the authority’s governing board.

Cronan and Deal are partners in Gainesville Salvage & Disposal.

Walters leases office space to Deal’s campaign and contributed nearly $30,000 to the governor’s 2010 election.

Walters also served as chairman of a bank that provided Deal’s campaign with a $250,000 line of credit.

Tarbutton gave Deal’s campaign more than $16,000.

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said the three appointees have business experience that will benefit the state in their new roles.

The authority is a quasi-public agency governed by a 13-member, governor-appointed board.

The authority generates more than $39 billion in statewide economic impact. Getting on the board is considered one of state government’s most coveted posts.