Doug is a lifelong Cobb County resident and graduated from Campbell High School and Kennesaw State University. He developed his roots as a businessman as a third-generation Cobb County business owner, operating the family business that includes operating commercial properties and a chain of Dairy Queen restaurants in Metro Atlanta. Doug served one term in the Georgia House of Representatives durin
g 2002-2004. In 2004, Doug was elected to the State Senate to represent Georgia’s 6th District, which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton Counties. He was overwhelmingly re-elected by his constituents in 2006, 2008 and 2010. During his service, Doug received numerous awards including: the Outstanding Legislator Leadership award from the American Cancer Society (2003 and 2004), the Outstanding Leadership award from the Georgia Alliance for To***co Prevention (2005), the Local Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Transportation Association (2004), the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services Star of Life, Legislative Award (2007 and 2008), the Georgia Association of Educators Legislator of the Year (2005), the Cobb County Association of Educators Cheryl C. Rice Friend of Education Award (2005), Legislative awards from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association (2009 and 2010), the Georgia Conservation Voters Environmental Leadership Award (2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011), and the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Georgia Council on Aging (2010). He was listed among the “Most Influential Georgians of the Year” by James magazine in 2010. Doug is actively involved with the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority. During his service on the Senate Transportation Committee, he was named chair of the Intermodal, Rail and Transit Subcommittee due to his experience as a former chair of the Cobb County Transit Advisory Board and his expertise on rail and transit networks. Doug and his wife, Della, currently reside in the city of Smyrna and are raising their two daughters, Gray and Honor.
