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.
Deal appoints 3 to ports authority
Cronan, Tarbutton, Walters named to agencys board
