Board Members
Board Meetings are regularly scheduled on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. If you cannot come in person, we stream board meetings via our YouTube page for your convenience.
JCWSA 2025 Board Meetings
Board Members
Chairman
Chris Nichols
Chris Nichols has served on the JCWSA Board since 2017. He and his family live in South Jackson and are active in the community.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Georgia and a Master of Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University.
Since 1999, Chris has worked in public safety roles including law enforcement, campus security, EMS, and currently serves as a Division Commander for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. He is also a member of the Northeast Georgia Medical Reserve Corps.
Chris sits on the Athens-Clarke County Charity Drive Committee and is involved in youth athletics, public safety training, and emergency response efforts.
Vice-Chair
Tommy Benton
Tommy Benton is a sixth-generation Jackson County native. He and his wife, Karen, have four children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
He graduated from Commerce High School, earned a B.A. in History from West Georgia College, and a Master’s in Middle Grades Education from Brenau College.
Tommy worked for the Jackson County School System from 1974 to 2004. He also represented Jackson County in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2005 to 2023, serving as chairman of both the Human Relations and Aging Committee and the Retirement Committee.
He has been a member of Commerce First Methodist Church since 1962 and is active in various civic and historical organizations including the Sons of the American Revolution and the Jackson County Historical Society.
Jim Dove
Jim Dove earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of Georgia. He has lived near Nicholson with his wife, Nancy, since 1989. They have one daughter, Jamie.
He worked for the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission for 42 years, serving as Executive Director for the last 32.
Jim currently serves on the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority (JCWSA), is a member of the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, and was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to the Upper Oconee Regional Water Planning Council.
Kevin Poe
Kevin C. Poe serves as the County Manager for Jackson County, Georgia, overseeing the daily operations of the county government and implementing policies set by the Board of Commissioners. Appointed in December 2011, he brings over four decades of experience in public administration to the role.
Before joining Jackson County, Kevin served as the County Manager for Floyd County, Georgia, for 17 years, where he was responsible for managing county departments, administering budgets, and executing board directives. His tenure in Floyd County was marked by leadership and stability, qualities he continues to bring to his current position.
Kevin is a former president of the County Managers and Administrators of Georgia and has held leadership roles in the Georgia City/County Managers Association. His commitment to public service has been recognized with the 2025 William H. Booth Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dave Ehrhardt, P.E., PMP
Dave Ehrhardt, P.E., PMP, is a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in municipal infrastructure planning, design, and construction. In this role, Dave has led numerous projects focused on water and wastewater systems, contributing to the development of sustainable infrastructure solutions across the region.
As the previous Chairman of the Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority, Dave brings his extensive engineering expertise and leadership skills to oversee the county's water and sewerage operations, ensuring the delivery of reliable and efficient services to the community.