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 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.
