The Newton County Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Trey Bailey as its District 1 representative Tuesday night.

Bailey, a native of Newton County who has lived in District 1 for the last 20 years, is the Executive Pastor at Eastridge Community Church, where he has been on staff for 12 years. After graduating from Newton County High School in 1992 he attended the University of Georgia before graduating from Mercer with a Bachelor in Business Information Systems.

Bailey served the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce as chair of Leadership Newton County with five years of service and three years on the Special Events committee. He volunteers with both the Covington Regional Ballet and the Arts Association of Newton County.

He is married to his wife of 20 years, Alonda Hodges Bailey — a teacher at Mansfield Elementary School — and has three daughters, who all currently attend Mansfield Elementary School.

Bailey replaces Stan Edwards, who resigned March 8 to run for the District 1 seat on the Newton County Board of Commissioners.