Lake Gibson is looking forward to serving on a board of directors that he said will help shape the future of Dawson County.

Elected by Etowah Water and Sewer Authority customers and accepted last week by the authority’s board of directors, Gibson brings a vast knowledge of local governmental operations, having served previously on the Dawson County Planning Commission and currently on the Development Authority of Dawson County.

“His experience in county government and accounting knowledge will be a good fit for this board,” said Chairwoman Linda Townley. “He has a good background of moving forward with growth issues we will face in the near future.”

Semi-retired as an administrator with Lanier Technical College, Gibson is a charter member and past president of the Dawson County Rotary Club and a past president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.

Gibson said he expects the growth Dawson County experienced in the last five or 10 years, although now slowing due to the economy, to continue and looks forward to helping guide that growth with his seat on the board.

“We have to stay ahead of the curve, ahead of the needs of Dawson County and not play catch up. We need to keep looking down the road at what’s best for the county,” Gibson said.

“We’re going to be ready when the economy picks back up,” he said.

Gibson earned a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor Science Degree from Brenau University as well as an Associate of Arts degree from Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland.

He has also completed management certification courses at the University of Georgia and the University of Kentucky. Gibson is a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society for Professionals in Technology.

Gibson replaces Herb Burnsed, who served two terms, on the board. Burnsed decided to not seek another term on the board.

“Herb has been a big asset and we’re really going to miss his leadership,” Townley said.

Gibson’s term began Oct. 20 and will run for five years.