John Kieffer is no stranger to public service.

The local developer has spent his career serving the public as a Forsyth County commission chairman, chamber volunteer and on multiple state advisory panels, including the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and Environmental Protection Division.

Beginning today, his work will continue as Gov. Sonny Perdue’s most recent appointee to the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority, the state board that oversees the lakeside resort.

“I am honored and excited about the opportunity,” said Kieffer, a Cumming resident. “Lake Lanier is such a vital part of our community. It’s critical we do everything in our power to protect it and to use that resource wisely so that it’s available for generations to come.”

Kieffer’s work on the county commission will bring an experienced Forsyth representative to the authority, said Bert Brantley, Perdue’s press secretary.

“The governor tries to have diverse opinions on the boards,” he said. “We have a good number of people to choose from and he’s somebody who came to the top of the stack as somebody to look at, and the governor looks forward to his contributions to the board.”

Kieffer will serve in one of the five at-large positions on the nine-member panel, which includes representatives from Hall, Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, as well as a state Department of Natural Resources representative. All terms last five years.

Among his many duties, Kieffer serves as chairman of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce small business services committee and business advisory council.

James McCoy, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, said Kieffer is a dedicated public servant.

“I think his representation on the authority is very positive for Forsyth County," McCoy said. "I think it’s very positive for the people of this community and positive for Lake Lanier Islands."

Despite his many commitments, Kieffer said his service on the development authority will be “a complementary role to what I’m doing with the chamber.”

“There are economic development issues that come up from time to time that involve the chamber. Great Wolf, the resort that’s being proposed for Mary Alice Park, is one of them.

“I think the responsibilities that I’ll undertake on the Lake Lanier Development Authority will help in my service to the chamber as well."