Jeff Sinyard named chair of state DNR Board

ALBANY — Jeff Sinyard is mostly revered in his hometown for the work he’s done as part of the local government, particularly as chairman of the Dougherty County Commission. But the influence of the man everyone knows as “Bodine” has long extended beyond the boundaries of southwest Georgia.

It’s often been said that in the seats of power in Atlanta and even in parts of Washington, the one person from southwest Georgia whose phone calls are returned is Bodine Sinyard.

Sinyard stepped quietly out of the local political picture a few years back, stepping down from his position as Dougherty Commission chairman to focus on his family and his business. But while Sinyard no longer commands the spotlight in his community, his service has not abated.

Quietly, with a minimum of fanfare, Sinyard was confirmed last month as chairman of the state Department of Natural Resources Board of Directors. He had been appointed to that board by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2014, was nominated for and named secretary of the board in 2017, and served as vice chairman last year.

New Gov. Brian Kemp recently approved Sinyard’s ascension to the board chairmanship.

Those who know Sinyard best know of his quest to avoid the limelight. But the businessman said Friday while at a three-day DNR fundraiser on the Georgia coast that he’s been invigorated by his service on the DNR board.

“The Department of Natural Resources is very special to me,” Sinyard said in a telephone conversation. “And being part of this board is both a humbling and a great honor. This board is made up of men and women who are passionate about protecting this state’s natural resources.

“Just as my dad took me hunting and fishing throughout our state and I have done the same with my sons, I think it’s important that we preserve these amazing resources for future generations. If I could flip a switch and pick one thing to be involved with at this point in my life, it would be DNR.”

Sinyard pointed to the significance of the recent Georgia Quail Hunt held at Albany-area plantations as one of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s two events used to lure business leaders into the state.

“People think of the corporate world when they think of businesses, but I have a lot of friends in metro areas who can’t wait to get in the woods and get away from that rat race,” Sinyard said. “The Quail Hunt and the Red Carpet Tour at The Masters are the two events state officials use to bring businesses to the state. That right there shows you what an impact our outdoors can have on statewide economic development.”

Sinyard said Georgia’s 70 state parks and 104 Wildlife Management Areas covering more than a million acres are vital elements of the state’s enduring legacy.

“I’m so excited that the department is working hard to enthusiastically support our young people,” he said. “We heard this great story at this event here about a 14-year-old girl from Swainsboro who started shooting a bow at age 10, and she just beat out 1,700 students from across the United States to claim her age-group’s archery national championship.

“Some of the greatest memories in my life are centered around what we’ve always called ‘going to the woods:’ quail hunting, a dove shoot, fishing. But just as important are the non-game animals in our woods, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the gopher tortoise.”

The economic downturn circa 2008 led to cuts in funding for most state agencies, and DNR felt the sting as well. With its management and protection services (the state EPD how serves under DNR), the agency depends on grants and contributions to sustain itself. That’s why Sinyard was involved in the weekend fundraiser.

“We have to protect these precious resources for future generations,” he said. “That’s why I am so proud to be a part of an agency whose men and women — in offices across the state and the talented men and women out in the woods — are passionate about something that is vital to our state’s future.”

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