Bob is a vital member of his community. He has served as the Chairman of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Elberton Rotary Club, and President of the Elbert Granite Association. He is an active member of his church, First Baptist of Elberton, where he has served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He enjoys singing in the choir and with the praise team. He directed the first production back in the theatre: The Foreigner and is on the Encore Productions Board. He last directed Over the River and Through the Woods and is excited to direct You're A Good Man Charlie Brown this spring. He is an active member of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce Board, the Elbert County Historical Society, the Elbert County Friends of the Library, and the Elbert County 4-H Advisory Council. He is looking forward to serving on the Elberton City Council. In his free time, Bob likes to travel, read, sing, play tennis, and go to the cinema. He enjoys walking with his dog Samson (a fawn boxer) and using his Apple computer. He is the proud uncle of 3 nephews, Nick, Nathan, and Luke, and 1 niece, Jilly. He delights in revving the young ones and then sending them back home to their parents.

Joel has served over 50 years in the Georgia Department of Defense with 39 years in the National Guard and 11 years as Commander of the Georgia State Defense Force with the rank of Brigadier General. His responsibilities include commanding, planning, and staff support to the State and National Guard through the Adjutant General. Joel has served in all position, including President, of the National Guard Association of Georgia. He represented the association on several committees at the national level, and has received the Meritorious Service Award. Joel has served as President of the State Guard Association of the Legion of Merit by the Adjutant General of Georgia. Joel Serves on the Executive Board of the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center (RDC). He served as chairman of the RDC from June 1992 until October 1993. He has served as Chairman of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce. Joel is also a member of the Rotary Club, National Guard Associations of the United States and Georgia, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Military Officer Association of the United States, and Association of the United States Army. Joel has four children and three grandsons. He is married to Nancy C. Seymour. Joel considers it an honor to serve Georgia citizens through his Federal employment, military service, and community activities.