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  april 16, 2007
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campus newS

Veteran government official to lead economic development
By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu
A veteran state government official with extensive experience in community and economic development has been chosen to fill a new position aimed at using UGA research and outreach to bolster economic growth in Georgia.
Laura Meadows


Laura J. Meadows, former assistant secretary of state and former commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, began work March 1 as associate vice president for economic development. The position was created to link UGA’s resources in research, public service and instruction with state and local government agencies and private efforts to promote economic growth for the state, according Provost Arnett C. Mace Jr.

Meadows, who was also chief executive officer of the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority and the first executive director of the OneGeorgia Authority, has the ideal background for the job, according to Mace.

“We are fortunate to attract Laura to this vital position given her vast experience and expertise in economic development,” said Mace. “This, coupled with her knowledge of people in leadership roles in Georgia and her understanding of the university and economic development issues, will enable her to quickly develop and implement programs to benefit the University of Georgia and the state.”

Meadows will develop strategies for using UGA’s strengths in such areas as biological and medical sciences, biotechnology, agriculture, business and natural resources to help create jobs and strengthen economies in both rural and urban areas, said Mace. She will work closely with such groups as the Georgia Research Alliance and state Department of Economic Development as well as regional and local officials.

Her work will encompass all aspects of economic development, from identifying opportunities for economic growth to helping formulate and market new economic development initiatives.

As assistant secretary of state from 2003 until this year, Meadows was chief operating officer for the secretary of state’s office, overseeing all administrative and regulatory functions.

Her duties included licensing more than 800,000 business and health care professionals, registering more than 400,000 profit and nonprofit corporations and enforcing state consumer protection laws including securities and charities.

Meadows received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from UGA in 1981 and a master’s degree in public administration from Brenau College in 1986.

She has served in numerous government and private groups including the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, the Georgia Rural Development Council and the State Workforce Investment Board.
 


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