Sam Beck is a lifelong resident and the sixth generation of his family to reside in Rabun County. He believes that giving back is part of his responsibility to the community that his family helped to build. Public service was instilled in him by his grandparents and parents at an early age and Sam has been involved in service to the community from the age of nineteen continuing to the present. He has served in the past as Rabun County Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board, past Secretary of Rabun County Home Builders, currently he serves as a commissioner of the Clayton Housing Authority, Rabun County Coroner, Member of the Board of Directors at Rabun County Bank and Chairman of Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority. Sam has owned and operated Beck Funeral Home for the last twenty-two years. Sam also manages a number of commercial properties that he owns with his family.  He has been involved with many additional civic organizations over the past 30 years in his aim to do his part to make Rabun County the best place to work and live. Sam lives in Rabun County with his wife and has two daughters.

A native of Rabun County, Jeff grew up in the Chechero area. He is a graduate of Rabun County High School. He owns and operates Jeff Hunter Electric & Generators, LLC in Clayton.  Jeff and his wife, Lori, reside in Tiger, Ga.

Jerry’s family moved to Rabun County in 1954. His father started Rabun Metal Products south of Tiger in 1958. Jerry graduated from the University of Georgia in 1960 and entered the Army Signal Corp with a commission that he received from ROTC. Jerry and his wife returned to Rabun County in 1963 and started work in the family business, a position he continues to work in today.

The North Georgia Mountains have always been and always will be my home. The small-town values I grew up with are what I consider the greatest assets in business today. It’s that compass that directs my view in client relationships.
I graduated from Piedmont College where I excelled in the study of finance. I am Series 7 and Series 66 licensed by FINRA. Accredited through the College of Financial Planning, I have also earned my AAMS®, CRPC® and CRPS® designations.
I am involved in many community efforts, including being the Secretary of the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority in my hometown, as well as being a Rotarian. Through a background in entrepreneurship, I was introduced to Edward Jones. Even though I was a successful small-business owner, the reward of helping clients turn their retirement dreams into reality makes this the best career-decision I have ever made.
I think one of the things that sets me apart is the attention to detail I put into building relationships with my clients and my service to the community.
I currently reside in Clayton, GA, where I have many clients; however, my office is across the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blue Ridge, GA.

John grew up in the Appalachian coalfields of Southern West Virginia.  His father made a living in the coal industry treating the process water throughout all of Appalachia.  Growing up John was a gifted student, golfer, skier, and fisherman.  John graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University as a Laut Honor student with a BA in History and Education.  He met his wife of 24 years at the local ski resort where they both worked after college.  His wife, Ara Joyce, is a local business owner and on the board of several non-profit organizations in Rabun County.  He has spent the last 25 years working for several major chemical manufacturer’s creating and applying specialty chemicals for water treatment in both industrial and municipal environments.  Early on his career took him to Pennsylvania to work for a chemical manufacturer specializing in polymer.  In his position at the time John was responsible for working with engineering firms, municipalities and manufacturers engineering and testing specialty applications for new and existing technologies in the wastewater industry.  He oversaw and maintained chemical contracts with NYC DEP, Boston Deer Island, and NEFCO (New England Fertilizer Company) to name a few.  In 2010 John relocated to Georgia working for the largest Polymer manufacturer in the world SNF, whose US operations are based in GA.  He headed up their OEM program working with manufacturers of industry related equipment as well as contract management with large municipalities in the Southeast territory.  Currently John heads up the Technical Consultant division for Industrial Chemicals of Birmingham AL.  His belief is that his extensive background in the water and wastewater industry will help the RCWSA as it grows to find the best technology and most practical solutions available.  John and Ara are proud to call Rabun County their home and constantly endeavor to help make the community the best it can be for future generations.

Dr. Arbitter is by trade a Veterinarian. Stephen was born and raised in Rabun Gap in Rabun County where he graduated from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The University of Georgia is where Dr. Arbitter received both a B.S. in Biology and a D.V.M. in Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation in 1996, Dr. Arbitter worked in Jefferson and Commerce, Georgia in farm and companion medicine. In 2001, Dr. Arbitter became a co-owner of Rabun Animal Hospital and the Animal Wellness Hospital of Highlands.
Dr. Arbitter is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer Cathey and the have three boys, Mark (20), and Twins Allen and Wyatt (14). The Arbitters live in Clayton and attend Mountain City United Methodist Church. Mark attends Piedmont University and the twins attend Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. The family enjoys Lake Burton, hiking, tennis and travel.
Dr. Arbitter has been involved in local politics in Rabun County. He was a two-term county commissioner and currently serves as the Chairman of Tourism for Rabun County as a member of the Forward Rabun Executive Committee, COO of Rabun County Animal Control and Rabun Paws for Life Humane Shelter and as a board member of the Rabun County Pickle Ball Club, in addition to serving on the Rabun County Water & Sewer Authority Board.

Martin was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering, Martin joined Southern Company’s power plant design engineering organization.  After 38 years performing civil/structural designs for fossil, hydro and nuclear power plants, in 2008 Martin retired from Southern Company and moved with his wife Pam to the beautiful north Georgia mountain city of Sky Valley. Martin and Pam have a daughter and a six-year old grandson who live in nearby Athens, Georgia.

A native of Rabun County, Claude and his family have always been involved in the community, living and working to improve overall quality of life throughout Rabun County.  He is a graduate of Rabun Gap Nacoochee School.  He is the owner of Claude Rickman Construction Company and oversees both residential and commercial construction projects throughout Rabun County.  He and his wife, Anne, have one daughter, Anna Cole.  They reside in Rabun Gap, Ga.

David grew up in Kansas, Canada, and Florida. He is a graduate of The University of Central Florida, and Stetson College of Law. He relocated to the Atlanta area in 1993 and has been a resident of Tallulah Falls since 2004. Now retired, he was a Senior Executive in the Claims Department of a global multi-line commercial insurance carrier. For the past four years David has been Vice Chair of the Tallulah Falls Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Greg Peters, our much beloved and appreciated board and community member. Greg cared deeply about Rabun County and RCWSA’s efforts in the proper management of its water resources. We will maintain an honorary position for him on our board and in our hearts and will continue to diligently do the work Greg so passionately supported. Our thoughts are with his surviving family members and friends. Rest in peace Mr. Peters, you will be greatly missed.

Greg served on many non-profit boards from the West Coast to New York City. With 17 years of experience as a real estate broker and entrepreneur, Greg and his daughter, Joanna Radford, brought their expertise and commitment to serving others to the Poss Real Estate Team. Along with being a successful businessman, Greg always “gave back” to his community through his service on various boards and civic endeavors. The Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority was privileged to have been among them.