Gov. Nathan Deal named former state representative Mike Cheokas and Lee Anne Cowart to serve on the State Board of Education. Cheokas, who will represent the 2nd Congressional District, replaces W.T. Henry. Cowart will represent the 10th Congressional District, replacing Brian Burdette. 

“Mike Cheokas and Lee Anne Cowart are dedicated state and community leaders who continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the well-being of Georgia’s citizens. Future generations are the state’s most valuable resource and I am confident that Mike and Lee Anne will proudly represent Georgia’s students on the State Board of Education. In these new roles, they will help to solidify Georgia as a state that provides strong opportunities for all students in the coming years.”

Mike Cheokas, State Board of Education, 2nd Congressional District
Cheokas is the president of Cheokas and Cheokas, Inc. and is a former member of the Georgia State House of Representatives. He sits on the board of directors for the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. Cheokas is a co-chairman of the Rosalynn Carter Institute and a member of the Americus Kiwanis Club. He is a graduate of the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute and the Advance Health Policy Institute. Cheokas studied Philosophy at Emory University and continued his studies at Pierce College in Athens, Greece. He and his wife, Gaynor, have three children. They reside in Americus.

Lee Anne Cowart, State Board of Education, 10th Congressional District
Cowart is the owner of Lee Anne Cowart Interiors, Inc. She has been active with the Thomson Historic Commission, the Thomson Downtown Development Authority and Camellia Partners. Cowart also sat on the advisory board for Interior Design studies at Valdosta State University and the board of trustees for Thomson First United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Jeff, have six children and one grandchild. They reside in Thomson.