Paul R. Burks has been the Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) since 1993. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and came to work for the Governor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations in 1976. From 1978 to 1983, he served as Administrator of the Schools and Hospitals Energy Conservation Program. In July 1983, he was appointed Director of the Office of Energy Resources (OER), serving in that position until 1993.
Mr. Burks received his Bachelor’s Degree in Government from the University of Virginia and his Master’s Degree in Governmental Administration from Georgia State University.
Mr. Burks was appointed to the Southeast Compact Commission in March 1984 and serves as Chairman of the Sanctions Committee. From 1987 to 1989, he served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Energy Officials, and in 1992 he was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to serve on the U.S. Department of Energy, State Energy Advisory Board. Since 1983, Mr. Burks has served as the Governor’s Alternate to the Southern States Energy Board. Mr. Burks served as a member of the Governor’s Development Council from 1993 to 1997.
In 1991 the No-Tillage Assistance Program in Mr. Burk’s office was selected as one of ten national winners in the Harvard/Ford Foundation Innovations in State and Local Government Awards Program, which includes a $100,000 grant. In addition, this program was a 1992 citation recipient of the President’s Environment and Conservation Challenge Award. The Dry Hydrant Assistance Program was selected as one of eight national Winners in the Council of State Governments 1991 Innovation Awards Program.
Mr. Burks was selected as the 1991 State Government Manager of the Year by the Georgia Society of Certified Public Managers.