It is rare for a native-born Georgian to serve as an ambassador to a foreign nation, but J. Mark Burkhalter is now one of that elite having been nominated by President Donald Trump to be U.S. ambassador to Norway. The Alpharetta native, a senior public policy and regulation advisor at the Dentons firm, represented north Fulton County in the General Assembly for 18 years and briefly served as speaker of the House of Representatives. A successful real estate developer, he’s a UGA alum with a double major in German and Slavic Languages, and Global Studies/Political Science. As he awaits U.S. Senate confirmation, and as he prepares for the cold Norway weather, his boat (and Georgia’s) is RISING….
Senate Republicans nominate new president pro tem
A follow up to yesterday’s Floating Boat – Georgia Senate Republicans this week also nominated state Sen. Larry Walker III, R-Perry, as president pro tem. That nomination won’t become a full election until the General Assembly convenes in January, at which point Walker will succeed state Sen. John F. Kennedy Jr., R-Macon, who is running for lt. governor. RISING…