Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Foundation elected four new trustees during its annual meeting in St. Simons: Allison Ausband, James “Jim” Whidden Childs, Frank Foley III and Larry D. Thompson.
Two advisory trustees, Betsy Camp and John Reid Parker Jr., were also chosen to assist the foundation’s committees in defining and achieving their strategic goals.
“We are thrilled to welcome four new trustees who have such a diverse range of expertise,” said Kenneth G. “Ken” Jackson, chairman of the foundation. “Their different perspectives and talents will be immensely valuable to the foundation as we pursue our primary objective: a sustained upward trajectory for the University of Georgia and its academic mission.
“Although from varied backgrounds, the thing that unites our new trustees is a deep love for our university,” Jackson said. “I feel privileged for the opportunity to welcome them to the board.”
The meeting concluded with the accordance of emeritus status to four trustees: Darren DeVore, Keith Mason, Mary Lou Swift and Brenda Thompson, whose terms draw to a conclusion on July 1.
“Words cannot fully express how thankful we are for our outgoing trustees’ generosity, service and dedication,” said Jackson. “The actions they have taken as trustees to better the University of Georgia Foundation and, in turn, secure our university’s future will resonate for years to come.”
Elected trustees:
Allison Ausband is senior vice president of in-flight service at Delta Air Lines where she leads a team of more than 20,000 employees from around the globe. She serves on the University of Georgia Board of Visitors and has supported a broad range of organizations and institutions, including the UGA in Washington program. Ausband also serves as vice chair for the Delta Community Credit Union and as trustee of the William R. and Sara Babb Smith Foundation. Graduating from UGA’s Grady College, she earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications arts in 1983.
Jim Childs is the founder and CEO of CHILDS Advisory Partners, a leading middle market Mergers and Acquisitions advisory firm with over 30 professionals and practices in Business Services, Technology and Healthcare. Prior to founding CHILDS, Childs was the founder and CEO of Impact Innovations, an IT services firm which grew to over $100 million in revenue prior to its sale in 2004. His previous work experience includes stints at Robinson-Humphrey and Arthur Andersen. Childs graduated from UGA’s Terry College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990. He played varsity tennis and was a member of the 1987 NCAA champions team and the 1987, 1988 and 1989 SEC championship teams. Childs went on to earn his MBA at Harvard University in 1993.
Frank Foley III is CEO of The Foley Company. An American-owned company operating in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, The Foley Company provides construction services to numerous agencies and municipalities throughout the Southeast. Foley graduated from UGA’s Terry College of Business in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in general business. UGA’s baseball field, Foley Field, is named in honor of his grandfather, Frank D. Foley, who was the pitcher on the 1908 championship baseball team.
Larry D. Thompson was a partner in the Atlanta law firm of King & Spalding and served as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia from 1982 to 1986 and deputy attorney general of the U.S. under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. He then led PepsiCo’s worldwide legal function, as well as its global government affairs and public policy group as executive vice president until 2014. Presently, Thompson holds the John A. Sibley Chair of Corporate and Business Law in UGA’s School of Law and is a member of the Faculty Division of the Dean Rusk International Law Center Council. Most recently, he joined the Atlanta-based law firm of Finch McCranie LLP to provide counsel to attorneys and clients on selected matters. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton College in 1967, a master’s from Michigan State University in 1969 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan in 1974.
Advisory trustees
Betsy Camp is president and chief executive officer of DF Management, Inc., a private investment and commercial real estate management company. Previously, she was president and CEO of Camp Oil Company until 2000. In 2006, she formed The Gender Gap Foundation, which provides funding for the advancement of educational facilities and opportunities for women. Camp graduated from UGA’s Terry College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1974. She received her Juris Doctor from UGA’s School of Law in 1977.
John Reid Parker Jr. is senior vice president and general counsel for strategic initiatives at Coca-Cola Enterprises. He graduated magna cum laude from UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1973. He then earned a master’s from the University of Virginia in 1974 and his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina in 1985. Reid’s father, J. Reid Parker, was an associate professor and undergraduate student adviser for UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and retired as associate professor in 1986. He also shared responsibilities with Coach Vince Dooley as the UGA Athletic Director of Administration from 1978-1980.
Ex-officio trustees
Janet Frick is the incoming chair of the university council executive committee succeeding David Shipley.
Houston Gaines is the University of Georgia student body president succeeding Johnelle Simpson.