South GeorgiaLEADS is a leadership immersion for citizens throughout South Georgia designed to facilitate awareness of issues that are essential to the future success of the region by giving participants the necessary skills and training needed to effectively lead South Georgia in the 21st Century economy.
Guided by the belief that leadership is key to a region’s economic success, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the J. W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia partnered in 2014 to create GeorgiaLEADS. South GeorgiaLEADS is the result of that partnership—and the collaborative efforts by economic development professionals across the South Georgia region who understand the critical importance of investing in a new generation of leaders that can champion the region and its many assets; while working collectively towards creating effective solutions to address significant challenges related to workforce development, education, and economic growth throughout the region.
Our purpose is to create a more competitive South Georgia. We invite you to join us.
Leadership | 2022-2023
Barbara Grogan Chairwoman, South GeorgiaLEADS Key Account Manager, Georgia Power Company
Board Member since 2014 Class of 2016-2017
southgeorgialeads@yahoo.com (229) 921-1457
Barbara Grogan Chairwoman, South GeorgiaLEADS Key Account Manager, Georgia Power Company
Board Member since 2014 Class of 2016-2017
southgeorgialeads@yahoo.com (229) 921-1457
Whitney Brannen Archway Professional, UGA Archway Partnership
Board Member since 2021 Class of 2020-2021
Joe Brownlee Region Director, South Region – Valdosta, Georgia Power Company
Board Member since 2022 Class of 2020-2021
Mary Beth Brownlee County Consulting Services Associate, ACCG
Board Member since 2014
Jennifer Carter Administrative Assistant, Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact
Board Member since 2020
Rob Collins CEO, NEOS Technologies, Inc.
Board Member since 2021 Class of 2016-2017
Lisa Davis President, Lee County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
Board Member since 2014 Class of 2016-2017
Jason Dunn Executive Director, Fitzgerald & Ben Hill Development Authority
Board Member since 2016 Class of 2016-2017
Renata Elad Dean, Stafford School of Business, ABAC
Board Member since 2022 Class of 2018-2019
Anna Ford Marketing Consultant
Board Member since 2020 Class of 2018-2019
Amanda Glover Director, City of Bainbridge Downtown Development Authority
Board Member since 2022 Class of 2019-2020
Milton Hall Jr. (M. Jay) Entrepreneur, MJH Properties and Investments LLC., City of Tifton Councilman, Mims kids Inc.
Board Member since 2018 Class of 2019-2020
Eric Larson Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, ABAC
Board Member since 2022 Class of 2020-2021
Darrell Moore Executive Director, Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact
Board Member since 2014
Rachael Oliver Region Manager, Georgia Family Connection Partnership
Board Member since 2018 Class of 2017-2018
Michael Smith Executive Director, Greater Valdosta United Way
Board Member since 2021 Class of 2020-2021
Tom Sullivan SVP of Operations, Phoebe Putney Health Systems
Board Member since 2021 Class of 2020-2021
Sponsors | 2022-2023
Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Lee County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Worth