CONTACT: Office of the Governor
Pete Smith (601) 359-3150 or (601) 720-8733
Kathryn Stewart (601) 359-3150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Governor Barbour Makes Appointments to State Board of Optometry

(Jackson, Miss.)—Governor Haley Barbour announced the appointments of Dr. William Gil Davis, of Newton, and Dr. Chuck Barnes, of Summit, to the State Board of Optometry. This board serves to regulate the certification of Mississippi optometrists, and to prescribe additional educational requirements and theoretical and practical examinations for licensed optometrists.

“I am confident that both Dr. Davis and Dr. Barnes will serve the people of Mississippi well,” said Governor Barbour. “Together, they have years of intensive experience that makes them very well-qualified to serve on this board.”

Dr. William Gil Davis is the sole proprietor of Newton Eye Clinic and also serves as a partner at Louisville Eye Care. Dr. Davis is a member of the American and Mississippi Optometric Association, the University of Mississippi Alumni Association, and the Newton Rotary Club. He has served as the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Legislative Chairman for the Mississippi Optometric Association. Dr. Davis received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mississippi and earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at the Birmingham School of Optometry.

Dr. Chuck Barnes has worked as an optometrist since 1985. He is a member of the Mississippi Optometric Association Board. Dr. Barnes serves as the Lions Club President and as the Rotary basketball coach. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Martin, Dr. Barnes earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. He is married to the former Terri A. Thompson; together, they have two children, Katherine and John.

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