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For more than 80 years, the Vinson Institute has worked with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people's lives. From Georgia's early days as a largely agrarian state with a modest population to its modern-day status as a national and international force in business, industry, and politics with a population of almost 10 million, the Institute has helped government leaders navigate change and forge strong directions for a better Georgia.
Press Releases > Meadows Joins the Vinson Institute as Director of Training

Meadows Joins the Vinson Institute as Director of Training: May 29, 2009

Contact: Courtney Yarbrough, cryarb@uga.edu; 706.542.6221

[High Resolution Photo] Athens, Ga. – The Carl Vinson Institute of Government welcomed Laura Meadows as the new director of its Governmental Training, Education, and Development Division (GTED) beginning June 1. GTED meets the educational and career development needs of elected and appointed officials from all levels of state and local government in Georgia.

As director, Meadows will be responsible for the multitude of training and development programs conducted by the Institute. More than 20,000 individuals attend these programs each year.

Meadows comes to the Vinson Institute after having served as associate vice president for economic development at the University of Georgia since 2007. In that capacity, she matched the university’s teaching, research, and public service resources with public and private efforts to promote economic development in Georgia.

Prior to that, Meadows served as assistant secretary of state beginning in 2003. She was responsible for the employees and programmatic functions of all divisions of the Georgia Office of the Secretary of State.

Meadows has also held positions at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, OneGeorgia Authority, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, and the UGA Cooperative Extension Service.

She earned her Master of Public Administration degree from Brenau University and her B.S. in agriculture from the University of Georgia.

“Laura’s experience serving as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, assistant secretary of state, and as the first executive director of the OneGeorgia Authority gives her a thorough understanding of how state government works and first-hand knowledge of the skills, abilities, and information local and state officials need to do their jobs,” Institute director Steve Wrigley said. “She will provide outstanding leadership for the Institute of Government’s very important training program.”

Meadows will replace Jim Stephens, who is retiring, as director of GTED.

Writer: Courtney Yarbrough

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