Board Members
Board Meetings are regularly scheduled on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM.
Board Members
Chairman
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.
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.
Gina Roy
Gina was born and raised in Illinois. She came to Jefferson over 29 years ago, where she started her career with the Jackson County Government in the Planning Department, assisting with building permits and zoning procedures. After five years with the Jackson County Planning Department, she established the Planning Department for the City of Arcade, the City of Jefferson, the City of Pendergrass, and the City of Talmo for the next three years. Then, finding a place in the private sector, she was employed by J & K Utilities, LLC, located in Jefferson, for four years. Realizing her passion for government, Gina returned to Jackson County Government and served as the Director of Public Development, including the following Divisions: Planning and Zoning, Protective Inspections, Code Compliance, Keep Jackson Beautiful, Stormwater Coordinator, and Animal Control for over 13 years. Gina was then assigned as the Assistant County Manager in June 2020 and then became County Manager in 2026.
Gina has a Master's in Public Administration with a specialization in Local Government from the University of Georgia, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Brenau University, and a Certified Public Manager from the University of Georgia.
Gina has been involved in the Jackson County community for several years and notably has been the 2009 Chairman of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, 2018, 2020, and 2023 nominee of the Jackson County Woman of the Year, 2021 JCCO Community Leadership Award, 2002 graduate of Leadership Jackson County, both President and Sergeant of Arms of the Jefferson Rotary Club, Chair of the United Way for Jackson County, past Secretary/Treasurer of the Jefferson Downtown Development Authority, past member of the Jefferson Elementary School Council and the Jefferson Academy School Council.
Michael Cronic
A lifelong Jackson County resident and fifth-generation native of the Braselton area, Mr. Cronic brings extensive experience in agriculture, public education, emergency services, and local government service. He works as a growout manager with Columbia Farms of Georgia, where he works directly with family farmers on poultry operations, budgeting, profitability, and cash flow. Mr. Cronic previously served for 13 years on the Jackson County Board of Education, including service as both vice chairman and chairman. His community service also includes time as a volunteer chief of the West Jackson Fire Department and service on the Jackson County SPLOST Appropriations Committee.