James S. “Jason” Shaw Jr., a native of Lanier County, was appointed to the Public Service Commission by Governor Nathan Deal and was sworn in on January 3, 2019. He was elected statewide in 2020. Commissioner Shaw lives on a farm near Lakeland with his wife Katy Miller Shaw, from Valdosta, and their children, Anne Harvey and Slaton Shaw. Commissioner Shaw is the owner of Shaw Insurance Services Inc. and a founder of Georgia Olive Farms Inc., both of Lakeland. He and his family are members of Unity United Methodist Church.
Commissioner Shaw earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia and is also a graduate of the Leadership Georgia class of 2004, the Leadership Lanier class of 2003, and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership class of 2000. In 2011, he was recognized by Georgia Trend magazine’s “40 under 40” list of young Georgia leaders in business and government. Commissioner Shaw maintains a dedication to community service. He served as the Lanier County Lions Club President in 2001 and as the Lakeland/Lanier County Chamber of Commerce President in 2006. In 2018, the Lanier County Lions Club named him “Flatlander of the Year.” Also in 2018, the Lakeland/Lanier County Chamber of Commerce named him a member of its Board of Directors for life. He is also a past director of the Greater Valdosta Area United Way and a past Trustee of the Valdosta Technical College Foundation.
From 2010-2018, Commissioner Shaw represented Georgia House District 176 (Atkinson, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware counties). During his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly he served four years as Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Rural Caucus, a bipartisan group that takes a leading role in issues and legislation that impact the state’s rural communities.
He also served as Chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation Committee, Chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, and as a member of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee; House Game, Fish, and Parks Committee; House Insurance Committee; House Small Business Development Committee; and House Transportation Committee as well as the House Rural Development Council and the House Transit Commission.
In addition to his public service, professional, and civic responsibilities, Commissioner Shaw enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and golfing.
