Seat 6, Candidate Bios

Jessica Jones photoJessica Harper Jones
Seat 6, Candidate

As a lifelong resident of Upson County, Jones is deeply rooted in her community and dedicated to serving its people. She is an active member of Logtown Bethel Church, where she serves as Church Secretary, and her family has proudly been a part of the Southern Rivers Energy Co-Op for many years. She has always valued the cooperative’s commitment to reliable service and strong community values. 

Professionally, she has served as Upson County Clerk for the past 15 years where she has developed strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, all of which are essential for board service. She is a Georgia Certified Clerk with a Master's and Public Managers Certificate through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

In addition to her role as County Clerk, she proudly serves as President of the Georgia County Clerks Association, collaborating with peers across the state to enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of county clerks. Her previous five years on the Upson County Board of Elections provided valuable experience in governance, transparency, and civic engagement. 

If elected to the Southern Rivers Energy Board, she will prioritize integrity, accountability, and responsiveness. She is committed to fostering strong relationships with co-op members and ensuring that the organization continues to operate with excellence and in the best interest of our community. 

“Public service is my passion, and I would be honored to continue that work on behalf of Southern Rivers Energy,” says Jones. 

 

Harry Park photoHarry N. Park
Seat 6, Incumbent

Harry Park lives in Yatesville, GA, where he was married to the late Mary Willis Park for 55 years. He is originally from Pulaski, TN, but his extensive banking career has led him all over the Southeast.  He served four years in the US Navy before receiving an honorable discharge in 1957.  He has served on the Southern Rivers Energy Board of Directors for the past 28 years.  He is also very active in his community and serves in many capacities, including chairman of the board of deacons at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church in the Redbone Community.

He has 35 years of experience in the banking business, including serving as an executive at eight banks, including president of four. He also owned and operated a poultry business for 12 years, giving him a clear understanding of the issues facing rural customers and electric cooperatives. Mr. Park is an avid family man and stays active in the lives of his three children and eight grandchildren. 

Professional Experience

  • Georgia System Operations Corporation (GSOC) Board of Directors – Sec./Treas.; Chairman of Compensation Committee, 1998-Present
  • Former National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation Board of Directors, 2013-2019; Board President, 2018-2019; Chairman of Compensation Committee, 2017-2018
  • FNB of Tarpon Springs: Tarpon Springs, FL – Vice President/Executive in charge of Operations, July-November 2004
  • Wildcat Ranch Poultry Farm: Yatesville, GA – President and Owner, 1992-2004
  • Flint River National Bank in Organization: Camilla, GA – CEO/Director, May-November 2003
  • Bank of DodgeCounty: Eastman, GA – President & CEO, October 1991 – May 1992
  • Bank of JeffersonCounty: Louisville, GA – Organizer/President & CEO, January 1988- October 1991   
  • Middle Georgia Bank: Byron-Ft. Valley, GA – Executive Vice President, January 1987 – December 1987 
  • Bank of CrawfordCounty: Robert, GA – President/CEO, February 1980 – December 1986
  • FNB of Thomasville: Thomasville, GA – Organizer, Director, President/CEO, October 1973 – February 1980 
  • First National Bank & Trust Co. (SunTrust): Macon, GA – Vice President, July 1957 – October 1973        

Education

  • GilesCountyHigh School – Pulaski, TN
  • MercerUniversity – Economics – Macon, GA
  • NABAC School, University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI
  • New YorkStateBankersConsumerCreditSchool – West Point, NY
  • HarvardBankingSchool – Harvard, MA
  • American Institute of Banking

Civic and Community Services

  • Director, Georgia Systems Operations
  • Director, Southern Rivers Energy
  • Board Member, Lamar County Family Connection Collaborative
  • Past President, Barnesville Rotary Club
  • Past President, Development Authority of CrawfordCounty
  • Past President, CrawfordCounty Kiwanis Club
  • Past President, JeffersonCounty Chamber of Commerce
  • Past President, JeffersonCounty Development Authority
  • Past Chairman, JeffersonCounty Cancer Society
  • Past Member and Director, Louisville Kiwanis Club
  • Past Chairman, SME Boy Scouts of America, JeffersonCounty
  • Past Board member Boy Scouts of America, GA-Car Association
  • Past Board member, Community Bankers Association of GA
  • Board of Deacons, RamahPrimitiveBaptistChurch
  • Director, Primitive Baptist Ministers' Retirement Fund
  • Director, Primitive Baptist Scholarship Fund