WASHINGTON – Two elected officials who serve on the Liberty County Development Authority Board were on a delegation that met with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in Washington Tuesday.
The Southeast Georgia Friends of Fort Stewart and Hunter, which includes military leaders from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, traveled
to Washington, D.C., to meet with Georgia’s senators and representatives to discuss national defense and economic priorities for region. Other members of the council include elected officials and community stakeholders from Southeast Georgia.
Currently, the Senate is debating the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020, S.1790, which will strengthen national security and benefit Georgia’s military installations, including the nearly 90,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the state, among other important defense priorities.
“I always appreciate hearing from the Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Council as they travel to D.C. to advocate for the defense community in Southeast Georgia,” Isakson said. “The Senate is currently debating its annual defense measure that makes investments in our U.S. military and will benefit both Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. I look forward to passing this legislation to support our warfighters and their families, invest in the warfare of the future and fortify Georgia’s strategic and active role in our national defense.”
The LCDA board members were Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown and Liberty County Commission Chairman Donald Lovette. Other Liberty Countians who attended were Hinesville City Manager Kenneth Howard, Leah Poole, CEO of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, and Hinesville resident Billy Edwards, who is an assistant to Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor, who also attended. Other council members who attended were Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach; Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger; Col. (retired) Peter Hoffman, vice president of student affairs at Savannah Technical College; Bill Cathcart, chairman of the Savannah Chamber Military Affairs council; Trip Tollison, president and chief executive officer of Savannah Economic Development Authority; Chris Giorgianni, vice president of government and defense at JCB Inc. in Pooler; and Will Ball, counselor to Gov. Brian Kemp for Military Affairs.
Adapted from news release from Isakson’s office.