Chuck Eaton has begun a one-year term as chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission. The chairmanship is rotated annually among the five commissioners. Eaton is in the second year of his first six-year term on the commission. He was elected in December 2006. Commissioner Doug Everett will serve as vice chairman. Commissioner Robert B. Baker Jr. will chair the energy committee.

James H. Stone, 82, who founded Stone Energy Corp., died Monday, the company said. He started his first oil and gas company more than 55 years ago and in 1973 he formed Stone Energy, which went public in 1993. Under his leadership, the company, headquartered in Lafayette, LA, has grown to a market capitalization of more than $1.2 billion. “Jimmy will be sorely missed by the company, his friends and his family,” said CEO David Welch. “He built Stone Energy into a premier energy company, and his positive influence on the company will continue long after his death. Jimmy provided the company with great leadership, enthusiasm and business savvy during his tenure as CEO and chairman. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.” Stone was a decorated Marine Corps officer in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a graduate of Williams College, attended Texas A&M University graduate school in geology, and he was a long-time resident of New Orleans.

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