Campus News Georgia Impact

UGA announces interim VPs for public service and outreach, government relations

Doyle
Griffin Doyle

Athens, Ga. – UGA senior administrators have made two interim appointments to fill two positions held by Steve Wrigley, who has been named executive vice chancellor for administration for the University System of Georgia.

UGA President Michael F. Adams has appointed J. Griffin “Griff” Doyle interim vice president for government relations. Provost Jere Morehead has appointed Jennifer Frum interim vice president for public service and outreach.

Both appointments are effective July 1.

“Griff Doyle’s long service in state government and at the university makes him a perfect choice to step in immediately and lead our government relations efforts,” said Adams in naming Doyle to the position. “He has worked at the state capitol and in Washington. He knows the state and loves the university.”

Doyle has agreed to serve for the next six months while the university conducts a nationwide search for a permanent vice president.

“Dr. Frum will bring a high level of energy and ability to this role as we seek to implement the new strategic plan adopted by the various units in public service and outreach,” said Morehead in announcing Frum’s interim appointment.

Frum, who is interim director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, has served at the institute since 2006: first as interim director of its International Center, then in 2007 as assistant director with programmatic and administrative responsibilities across its divisions. Later she served as deputy director, overseeing daily operations. Prior to her work at the Vinson Institute, Frum was assistant director of UGA’s Office of International Public Service and Outreach.

Frum has developed and implemented international development projects at UGA. She has administered research, cross-cultural exchange and training projects in Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Croatia, China, Liberia, Kenya and Uganda.

Before coming to UGA, Frum worked for the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Bob Wise. She earned a master’s degree in international relations from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University. She received her Ph.D. from UGA’s Institute of Higher Education.

Frum has agreed to serve for the next six to nine months while the university conducts a nationwide search for a permanent vice president.

Doyle has served as director of federal relations since 2003, when the position was created. In that role, he serves as a liaison with federal legislators and government agencies.

Doyle, who has nearly 30 years of experience working in Georgia government, industry and educational organizations, represents UGA’s interests in Washington, D.C., and works with Georgia’s U.S. senators and representatives to secure federal support for research, public service and other programs at UGA.

Prior to being director of federal relations, Doyle was associate vice president for economic and community development at UGA.

He joined UGA in 1997 as director of the Regional Economic Development Partnership and served from 1998-2001 as associate director of UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

Doyle, who holds a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in history from UGA, was a senior adviser to the late Georgia Gov. George Busbee and served as executive assistant to the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Doyle was president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation for three years and worked for three years as the regional public affairs director for the Fort Howard Paper Co. He began his career as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Regarding Wrigley’s appointment as executive vice chancellor for administration for the University System of Georgia, Adams said, “For years, Steve Wrigley has been at the forefront of this state’s leadership, making a real difference for all Georgians. As chief of staff for Gov. [Zell] Miller, director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and in leading the university’s external affairs, government relations and public service efforts, he has skillfully impacted this state and this university for the good. We at UGA are most grateful for his service here, and look forward to working with Steve in his new role, for which he is most qualified and deserving.”