The Georgia Retail Association recently elected Anthony Waters to the position of chairman of the board of directors during their Annual Meeting and Legislative Conference on Saint Simons Island. The Georgia Retail Association, a 47-year-old organization, is dedicated to supporting the retail industry in Georgia, and is comprised of many of the nation's major retailers as well as small retailers throughout Georgia.

            "It is certainly an honor to be asked to serve as chairman of the Georgia Retail Board," stated Waters. "The impact that retail has on Georgia's economy is very important; not only do retailers provide the goods and services that our citizens need and desire, but retail related jobs comprise almost 20 percent of Georgia's employment."

            "Mr. Waters is a valuable member of the Georgia Retail Association and the state's business community. He brings to the association leadership, vision and unique sense of fairness and integrity," said John Heavener, GRA president. The retail community faces more economic and legislative challenges today than ever before, and in response, the GRA is launching an aggressive member acquisition program to give retailers a stronger voice at the Georgia Capitol, in Washington, D.C., and in communities across the state. "There is no one better than Anthony Waters to be at the helm of the association at this critical time," added Heavener.

            According to Georgia Retail's web site (www.garetail.org), GRA is a member organization that promotes honest and ethical business practices, provides important benefits and services to retailers and works with state and national legislators to insure that retailers' voices are heard. In addition, Georgia Retail provides scholarships for retail students at Georgia Southern University, and has partnered with the GSU Center for Retail Studies to form a GRA student chapter.

            "Even through these tough economic times, retailers across our state are great corporate citizens," commented Waters. "Through their civic leadership and by giving back to local communities through donations to charities and schools, retailers make significant improvements to our quality of life in Georgia."

            Anthony Waters is co-owner of L.A. Waters Furniture in Statesboro, a 74-year-old retailer that operates 14 stores in Georgia and South Carolina. In addition, Waters has served as president of the Georgia Home Furnishings Association and the Rotary Club of Statesboro. He has also served on the boards of Statesboro Chamber of Commerce, Joseph's Home for Boys, Georgia Southern University Foundation and is a founding director of First Southern National Bank.

            Waters and his wife, Sally, have two boys, Loy, 14, and Lee, 11, and are members of Statesboro First United Methodist Church.