Gov. Nathan Deal has announced the creation of the Commission on Brookhaven.
The five-member commission, which includes a representative from each of Brookhaven’s city council districts, will help get the new city up and running until a mayor and city council is elected in November. The city is scheduled to officially begin operations Dec. 17.
The city of Brookhaven was created after 55 percent of voters chose to incorporate the area July 31.
Below are biographies of the board members from the governor’s office:
Ben Vinson, chairman
Vinson is an attorney at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, where he focuses on political law. Prior to his work at the firm, Vinson served as majority caucus counsel in the Georgia House of Representatives. Vinson received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Furman University. After law school, Vinson served as clerk for Judge W. Brevard Hand of the U.S. District Court. Vinson currently serves as the chairman of the Georgia Immigration Enforcement Review Board. He and his wife, Ansley, live in Brookhaven with their daughter.
J.D. Clockadale, District 1 representative
Clockadale is the director of strategic marketing promotions for RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc. Prior to his work for RaceTrac Petroleum, Clockadale was the owner and managing partner for Impero, LLC and worked as a financial and insurance representative for Prudential. Clockadale has been involved in developing Brookhaven while serving as founding board member of both Brookhaven Yes and Citizens for North DeKalb. Clockadale is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and his MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovations.
Todd E. Lantier, District 2 representative
Lantier is the unit sales manager for MassMutual Financial Group/Capstone Financial Partners. Lantier previously served as director of investments for both Mass/Mutual Financial Group/Capstone Financial Partner and New York Life Insurance Company. Lantier received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Caldwell College and his associate’s degree in Building Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology. Additionally, as an experienced financial services sales professional, Lantier is recognized as a designated Charted Mutual Fund Consultant. Lantier is the current president of the Brookhaven Community Connection, a founding member of Ashford Park School Education Foundation, and an advisory board member of Friends of Brookhaven Park. Lantier resides in Brookhaven with his wife, Shelia, and their children.
Jed Beardsley, District 3 representative
Beardsley is a shareholder in the law firm Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, where he specializes in real estate and tax law. Beardsley received his law degree from Emory University School of Law, his master’s in Business Administration degree from Emory University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. In addition to his professional achievements, Beardsley has supported the Brookhaven Community for years and currently serves as president of the Historic Brookhaven Foundation, Inc., and as a board member of the Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Association. Beardsley was also the founding member for the Brookhaven Community Connection, Inc., a “business league” for local organizations.
Kim Gökçe, District 4 representative
Gökçe serves as technical project manager for AT&T. Prior to this position, Gökçe worked as manager for the Coca-Cola Company, project manager for BellSouth Telecommunications and BellSouth Business Systems, program manager for AT&T, and business analyst for Andrews-Fischer, Inc. Gökçe received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and master’s of Business Administration from the University of Hartford. Gökçe is also certified as a project management professional and a certified Netware engineer. Gökçe has served as the founding director for both the Brookhaven Community Connection and the Cross Keys Foundation, helping business and supporting public education. He was also the founding Steering Committee member for the Cross Keys Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative. In addition, Gökçe is fluent in Spanish, which he has perfected while working in the Hispanic community in DeKalb County.
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