Former Oxford, Miss., Mayor Richard Howorth has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the newest director for the Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA announced Wednesday.

Howorth, a 60-year-old Democrat who owns the Square Books store in Oxford, soon will join the nine-member board that oversees TVA.

The U.S. Senate voted last week to confirm Howorth to the part-time job. Howorth will attend his first TVA board meeting on Aug. 18 in Knoxville.