For two years, Rick Jeffares has served as a state senator for Newton County and parts of Henry, Rockdale, Spaulding and Walton counties.

The 48-year-old Republican is running for re-election to the State Senate for District 17.

Jeffares is the president and owner of J & T Environmental Services, Inc. He said his firm helps small cities and counties with their water and sewer needs.

In addition to serving as the president of his company, Jeffares said he also works at G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers as a project manager for construction of water and sewer projects.

Jeffares also has work experience in Henry County.

He served as the city manager of Locust Grove, the Director of Water and Pollution Control for the city of McDonough, the assistant superintendent and lab director for the Henry County Water Authority and a water plant operator for the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority.

Jeffares is the vice-president on the Georgia Rural Water Association, a board member of the North Metropolitan Water District, and the vice-chairman of the Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority.

He's also a member of the Water Pollution Control Federation, American Water Works Association, Leadership Newton County and Leadership Henry County.

Jeffares said he is very conservative.

"In my first two years as a senator, I passed several pieces of legislation to help local governments reduce cost by eliminating unfunded mandates," he said.

He said one focus he has as a state senator is on creating jobs.

"I have lived and worked in the district most of my life and I want to make sure there are career opportunities in the district so my kids and grand kids can live here also."

Jeffares said he doesn't have a criminal background or any financial issues.

He graduated from Henry County High School in 1982.

After finishing high school, Jeffares attended Clayton College and State University in Morrow, Georgia where he received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Management and Supervision in 1996 and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management in 1998.

When it comes to community involvement and helping others, Jeffares said he volunteers for Water Missions International when natural disasters hit.

"I spent four weeks in Sri Lanka in 2006 and 2007 after the tsunami hit installing portable water units and four weeks in the gulf after Hurricane Katrina hit helping get water systems back on-line," he said.

Jeffares also said he is a member of Kiwanis in Henry County.

Jeffares and his wife Leslie live in Henry County and are members of Sharon Baptist Church. They have four daughters and two granddaughters.

You can contact Rick Jeffares on his cell phone at (678) 432-7676 or visit his website at rickjeffares.com for more information.