• Born December 5, 1943, Dodge County, Georgia
• Married to Carol Cofield Coleman
• Two Children, Two Grandchildren
• Member of the First Methodist Church of Eastman
• Graduate of Dodge County High School - 1961; Associate Degree-Reinhardt College; Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Brenau College 1981; Juris Doctorate - Woodrow Wilson College of Law
• Business Insurance

Public Office

• Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1972 with continuous service from 1973-present
• 1978-1986 - served as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee
• 1987-1988 - served as Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee
• 1989-1990 - served as Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee
• 1991-2002 - served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee; Member of the Budget Conference Committee; Chairman - Joint Committee of the Budget Responsibility Oversight Committee (BROC)
• 2003 - Elected as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives

Community Involvement

• Huddle House Franchise in Eastman and McRae
• Member, Board of Directors - Bank of Dodge County
• Member, Board of Directors - Colony Bank Corporation
• Member, Eastman Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years
• President of Chamber 1985-1987
• Served, Mercer Medical School Board of Governors (1990-2002)