Echols is an elected official originally from Clayton County, Georgia, who was elected to the Athens-area seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission as a Republican in 2010.
He is author of the book "Real Citizenship." Echols founded Family Resource Network, a non-profit firm that helps young families be successful in infant care and parenting.
In 1993, Echols created TeenPact to help young people understand state government and public policy.