Gov.-elect Nathan Deal announced Friday the three senators who will serve as floor leaders.

Sen. Jim Butterworth, R-Clarkesville, Sen. Ronnie Chance, R-Tyrone, and Sen. Bill Jackson, R-Appling, will be liaisons between the governor and the state Senate to help Deal guide his legislative agenda.

The floor leaders will assume their new roles after Deal takes office Jan. 10.

"It is an honor to have these three men join my administration as the Senate floor leaders," Deal said in a news release.

"The respect they have earned from their peers and their proven leadership assures me they are the right men to promote my agenda in the Senate. They will be critical elements of my administration's success in the legislature."

Deal nominated Clyde Reese to serve as the next commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

His appointment is subject to the approval of the board.

Reese currently leads the Department of Community Health.

Deal also asked the following to continue in their current positions: Col. Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety; Kathleen Mathers, executive director of the Office of Student Achievement; Brian Owens, commissioner of the Department of Corrections; Pamela Pharris, executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Georgia; Kevin Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Jannine Miller, director of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; Tommy Hills, director of the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services and Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.