Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed three men with local ties to serve on the North Georgia Mountains Authority, which is affiliated with the Department of Natural Resources. Its members must serve on the DNR board.

The authority provides oversight and direction for places like Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris.

Those appointed include:
Jim Walters of Gainesville, who is the 9th congressional district representative on the board and also president and CEO of Walters Management Co. Walters is a past president and current chairman of the legislative and political action committee of the Georgia Industry Loan Association, secretary of the board of trustees at Brenau University and also serves on the board's executive and finance committees.

Philip A. Wilheit Jr. of DeKalb County, son of Philip Wilheit Sr. of Gainesville. Philip Wilheit Jr. is 4th congressional district representative and also a partner at Wilheit Packaging and owner of TargetMatz. He serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Hall County and the John Jarrard Foundation. He also is a member of the Benedicts of Atlanta and sits on the Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia Advisory Board and the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee. Wilheit holds a bachelor's degree from Mercer University and a master's in business from Georgia State University.

Joseph "Joe" M. Hatfield of Clarkesville, who is the 10th congressional district representative and is executive vice president of operations and a member of the board of directors for Fieldale Farms Corps. He also serves on the board of directors for North Georgia Technical College and Peach State Bank and Trust. He also is a member of the National Chicken Council and the Georgia Poultry and Egg Association and served on the Georgia Board of Economic Development. Hatfield holds a bachelor's degree in business management from North Georgia College.