Bell's bid for DOT board fails

“We gave it our best shot,” commented Rep. Tommy Benton, who had nominated Bell for the position.

Bell is a former state representative and is a former chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Grantham, an Augusta native, is the president and CEO of Forest Sales Corporation, a company he founded in 1968. He served on the Augusta/Richmond County Commission for seven years from 2003 until 2010. He also served on Georgia Port Authority from 1972 until 1984, serving as chairman in 1974 and 1980. His extensive community and civic activities include the Augusta State University Board of Trustees from 1982 – 1986, Augusta Museum Board of Directors from 1993 – 1996 and the Boy Scouts of America Advisory Board of Augusta for over 35 years.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor of business administration degree, Grantham will serve the remaining three years of Kuhlke’s term which expires in April 2014. He will begin serving immediately.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is governed by the State Transportation Board. Its 13 members, representing each of the state’s congressional districts, exercise general control and supervision of the Department. Each member serves a five-year term and the terms are staggered. Board members are elected by the state representatives and senators whose legislative districts fall within all or part of the congressional district.