Georgia governor nominates state lawmaker for DOT post

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday nominated state Rep. Jay Roberts to be planning director of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

If the state House and Senate Transportation committees confirm his appointment, Robert would begin in his new role on Friday.

 Deal said Roberts is an expert and statewide leader on transportation issues.

“He’s earned the trust of his colleagues on the two transportation committees, and I look forward to their confirmation of his nomination,” Deal said.

Roberts served as chairman of the Transportation Committee and was also a member of the Appropriations, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Rules, and Game, Fish and Parks committees. He is a board member of the Irwin County-Ocilla Chamber of Commerce and the Irwin County Farm Bureau. He also is a member of the Ocilla Rotary Club, serves on the Irwin C.A.S.E. agricultural advisory board and is a deacon at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Valdosta State University. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children and reside in Ocilla, Georgia.