The 23rd Annual Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards banquet will feature Lonice Barrett, special assistant for Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.
The invitation-only gala is slated for Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m at Georgia Southern University’s Nessmith Lane Continuing Education Center.
Barrett, born in Macon, has a long history working for Georgia citizens. The former Georgia Department of Natural Resources commissioner also served as director of the DNR State Parks, Recreation and Historic Site Division and in other capacities in the DNR office.
He also has Statesboro roots, as he served in 1968 as the Statesboro Recreation Department director.
Barrett retired from state government in 2006 after 36 years of service, then reentered the field in 2007 as an assistant to former governor Sonny Perdue. For the past two and a half years, Barrett has led the efforts to implement initiatives for the Commission for a New Georgia to lower costs of government while increasing services to citizens.
Barrett earned a master’s degree in education from Georgia State University, and a bachelor’s degree in recreation from Georgia Southern University.
Barrett has been honored by two resolutions for his service to Georgia - House Resolution 1171 and Senate Resolution 1614.
Barrett grew up in Perry, and married Carol Hicks from Decatur. The couple have been married 45 years, and have two children and four grandchildren. The couple are members of Dunwoody Baptist Church, and Barrett enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, photography and genealogy.
The Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards honor those in the community who have shown selflessness, generosity of heart and spirit, and extraordinary compassion for others. Over the past 23 years, hundreds of citizens have been recognized.
The gala is hosted by the Statesboro Herald and sponsored by several businesses and individuals in the community who work together to make the event possible.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.