Members of the Board

C. Dean Alford, P. E.

Mr. Alford is President and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Energy Services and is currently responsible for over $5 billion of energy projects in Central and North America. He has served as consultant to the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment on energy policy issues. Mr. Alford earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He is a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, a member of the Georgia Tech Foundation, an inductee of the Academy of Distinguish Engineers and was awarded the Dean Griffin Award for Community Service. In 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Mr. Alford to the State Board of Education for the State of Georgia where he served until 2006. In January 2007, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed him to the Technical College System of Georgia board of directors and served as its Chairman from 2009 to 2011. Governor Nathan Deal appointed him to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in January 2012. Mr. Alford of a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. From l983 until l993, He was a five-term member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Of all his activities and accomplishments, Mr. Alford’s most enjoyable and important role is that of husband and father. He and his wife Debbie have five children and two grandchildren.

Kenneth R. Bernard, Jr.

Kenneth R. Bernard, Jr., represents the 13th Congressional District on the Board of Regents, the governing body for the University System of Georgia. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2007 for a seven-year term as a regent. Bernard is the former chairman of the regents’ Organization and Law Committee, which oversees the legal affairs of the 35 public universities and colleges in Georgia. He was recently elected chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc., which, among other activities, raises private funds for student scholarships and faculty recognition awards. Bernard is a partner with Sherrod & Bernard and serves as the county attorney for Douglas County. His litigation experience includes handling matters from trial through appeal before the Supreme Court of Georgia. Bernard has represented individuals in a variety of wrongful death, serious injuries, employment, and product liability cases, including, automobile, truck and motorcycle accidents. He formerly served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), and served on the Governor’s Development Council (GDC). Bernard, a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law. After completing Officer Candidate School (OCS), The Basic School (TBS), and Naval Justice School, he distinguished himself as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate General (JAG). Bernard’s military and life experience served him well as he transitioned to his current trial and general counsel practice. Bernard is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association and National Association of College and University Attorneys. He has served in a variety of state and local civic, charitable, and social organizations, where he has received recognition for his efforts on behalf of the community, region and state. Bernard enjoys an active life as a father, husband and youth baseball coach with two Georgia Pony Baseball State titles (Mustang 2008 and Bronco 2009) and a USSSA Georgia Travel Baseball 12U (AA) State Championship (2010).

Larry R. Ellis

Regent Larry Ellis is the chief executive officer of ESSE. He joined the Board of Directors of Point Blank Solutions in 2004 and served as president and chief executive officer through April 2009. He serves as a director on the boards of SRA International, the Armed Forces Benefit Association and the National Security Studies. Regent Ellis served in the United States Army for more than 35 years before retiring as a Four-Star General. He commanded units at every echelon of the Army, including the First Armored Division while deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the U.S. Army’s Chief Operations Officer, he oversaw multi-year, multi-billion dollar budget programs supporting national strategic objectives. His military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. Appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Regent Ellis holds a bachelors degree from Morgan State University and a master’s degree from Indiana University. His honors include an Honorary Doctor of Laws, Honorary Master of Strategic Studies, the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the NAACP National Service Award and the ROCK of the year award.

Rutledge A. (Rusty) Griffin Jr.

Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in January 2011, Rutledge A. Griffin, Jr., is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin L.L.C. of Valdosta, GA., a manufacturer of crop protection & specialty chemicals founded in 1935. After the death of his father, Griffin became President and CEO (at age 26) of the family owned business. Griffin Corporation partnered in joint venture with Dupont in 1998 eventually selling its interest in the joint venture to Dupont in 2003. Griffin serves as a co-chair on the capital campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta and has served on the Georgia Ports Authority, Emeritus Trustee of the University of Georgia, and is past chairman of the South Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletics. Born and raised in Valdosta, Griffin attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, and received a B.S. degree from the University of Georgia with a major in Agriculture and a minor in Business in 1966. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children and eight grandchildren.

Robert “Bob” F. Hatcher

Bob Hatcher is President and CEO of MidCountry Financial Corporation. He was the President and CEO of First Liberty Bank from 1988 until its merger with BB&T in 2000. Prior to First Liberty, he was with Trust Company Bank (SunTrust) for 27 years. Regent Hatcher is Co-Chairman of the Commission for a New Georgia. He serves on the boards of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and NewTown Macon. In 2007, Regent Hatcher was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation. He received the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Regent Hatcher is an honorary Lifetime Member of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, which named him its 2005 Citizen of the Year. Appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to as an at large member of the Board of Regents, Regent Hatcher resides in Macon.

C. Thomas Hopkins, Jr., MD

Dr. Hopkins is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and orthpaedic sports medicine, engaged in private practice in Griffin. He served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon and orthopaedic surgeon. He is past president of the Griffin Rotary Club, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, medical staff of Spalding Regional Hospital and serves on the board of United Bank. He has served on the Georgia Health Strategies Council, Governor’s Physician Partnership, and is a member of the Gridiron Secret Society. Hopkins earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University, attended the University of Georgia, and completed his medical degree and residency at Emory University. He and his wife, Sara, have two children.

W. Mansfield Jennings, Jr.

W. Mansfield Jennings, Jr., a native of Hawkinsville, was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to represent the Eighth Congressional District on the Board of Regents. He is Chairman of ComSouth Corporation, a full-service telecommunications company. Regent Jennings served as ComSouth’s CEO for several decades until 2003. Regent Jennings also is Chairman of SunMark Community Bank and SunMark Bankshares, Inc., a bank holding company. In addition, he is the former Chairman of Taylor Regional Hospital, a past President and Director of the Georgia Telephone Association and a former member of the United States Telephone Association. Regent Jennings also is a long-time member of the Board of Trustees of the Middle Georgia College Foundation and is very active in his community, having served as President and Charter Director of the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Hawkinsville Rotary Club and District Governor of Rotary International. Regent Jennings earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from Emory University. He resides in Hawkinsville with his wife, Genelle.

James R. Jolly

Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in November 2003, to represent Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District, Jim Jolly is Chairman of the Board of J&J Industries, Inc., a carpet-manufacturing firm he joined in 1967 and retired from in 2007. Regent Jolly, a native of Dalton, is extensively involved in the community, serving as a charter member of the board of directors of the Dalton-Whitfield Boys and Girls Club and of Leadership Dalton. Jolly is a past Chairman of the local Governmental Study Task Force Committee, the local United Way campaign, the Dalton Junior College Foundation and the Carpet and Rug Institute. He is a former member of the executive board of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Tech Alumni Trustees, the Northwest Georgia Regional Advisory council, the Georgia Cities Foundation Board, and the Hamilton Medical Center Board. Regent Jolly currently chairs the Covenant College Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Dalton State College Foundation Executive Committee. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in textiles from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Regent Jolly resides in Dalton with his wife, Judy. They are active members of Grace Presbyterian Church.

Donald M. Leebern, Jr.

Don Leebern, Jr. is Chairman of Georgia Crown, Alabama Crown, and Tennessee Crown Distributing Companies. Regent Leebern spends most of his time at the Atlanta office. Georgia Crown Distributing Company, Inc., is a wholesaler, bottler and importer of liquor, wine, beer, and water products. Regent Leebern was Chair of the Board of Directors of MCG Health Inc. He also is a member of numerous industry and social organizations. First appointed to the Board of Regents in 1991 and re-appointed in 1998 by Governor Zell Miller and again in 2005 by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Regent Leebern serves as a member At-Large. Regent Leebern served as Board Chair from 1994 to 1995. He studied Business Administration at the University of Georgia and played varsity football in 1957, 1958, and 1959. He was honored with the Georgia Athletic Association’s 2002 “Circle of Distinction Award.”

William “Dink” H. NeSmith, Jr. (Vice chair)

Dink NeSmith, 62, is co-owner and president of Athens-based Community Newspapers, Inc., publisher of more than 30 newspapers in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. He admits to having printer’s ink running through his veins and has been involved in the newspaper business since the age of 10. In his mid-20’s, NeSmith purchased a one-third ownership of his first newspaper, the Wayne County Press and joined Community Newspapers, Inc. four years later with the purchase and consolidation of the Press and the Jesup Sentinel. NeSmith, a 1970 graduate of The University of Georgia, is past president of the Georgia Press Association, Leadership Georgia and UGA’s Alumni Association. He has also served as chairman of Grady College’s advisory board, president of the alumni association, and chairman of the board of directors of the Fanning Leadership Institute. He is currently chairman of the Richard B. Russell Foundation, an emeritus member of UGA’s Athletic Association’s board of directors, as well as emeritus trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation. In 2008, Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed NeSmith to represent the 10th Congressional District on the Board of Regents where he serves as vice-chair. He also serves as vice-chair of the University System of Georgia Foundation and vice-chair of MCG Health Systems, Inc. He also serves on the board of directors of Athens First Bank and Trust Company, Southern Mutual Insurance Company, Pattillo Construction Company and the Georgia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He and his wife Pam have three children and five grandsons.

Doreen Stiles Poitevint

Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in January 2004, Doreen Poitevint is a partner in Stiles Apartments and A.B. Stiles Enterprises in Athens, Ga. She currently serves on the Board of the Decatur County Library Foundation and is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Bainbridge College Foundation and the executive boards of the Decatur County Library and the Southwest Georgia Regional Library. A former teacher in DeKalb County and Decatur County, Regent Poitevint previously served as Public Education Chairman for the American Cancer Society, President of the Bainbridge Book Club and President of the Decatur County Friends of the Library. She also is a past Director and member of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Library USA and served as a member of the Department of Technical and Adult Education Commissioner’s External Advisory Committee for Statewide Public Libraries. Regent Poitevint earned her undergraduate degree, a master’s degree in education and an education specialist degree from the University of Georgia. Regent Poitevint resides in Bainbridge, where she is a member of First Presbyterian Church. She represents the Second Congressional District on the Board of Regents.

Willis J. Potts, Jr.

Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Willis J. Potts of Rome to represent the Eleventh Congressional District on the Board of Regents. Potts retired in June 2004 as the Vice President and General Manager of Temple-Inland Corporation, based in Rome, following a 35-year career in the international pulp and paper industry. He began his career as an engineer at the Union Camp Corporation’s Savannah pulp and paper mill in 1969. He held a series of operational and management positions, including Resident Manager of Union Camp’s mill in Prattville, Ala., before being named General Manager and Senior Vice President of Union Camp in 1992. In 1999, following a 30-year career with Union Camp, Potts moved to the position he retired from at Temple-Inland. Potts served as President of the Paper Industry Management Association in 1995, and in 1999, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) recognized his outstanding service to the industry by naming him a Fellow. In 2002, the Pulp and Paper Safety Association presented him with the Executive Eagle Award, conferred on outstanding paper industry executives who have made major contributions to the cause of accident prevention in his/her company and beyond. In 2010, TAPPI chose Potts to receive the Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award which recognizes an individual for voluntary leadership and service that has significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of the organization. Potts also is active with the United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs and Chamber of Commerce. He is Chairman of the mentoring program “Communities in Schools.” Potts earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed the University of Virginia’s Executive Program.

Neil L. Pruitt, Jr.

Neil L. Pruitt, Jr. is Chairman and Chief Executive officer of UHS-Pruitt Corporation, an integrated health care company offering independent and assisted living, skilled nursing services, rehabilitation services, home health and hospice care as well as pharmacy services, community-based services, medical supplies and care management. Regent Pruitt also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the American Health Care Association. He is a recognized leader in the health care profession and is a member of The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, a board member of the United Hospice Foundation and past Chairman of the Georgia Health Care Association.

Regent Pruitt graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of the South. He was awarded a Master’s of Business Administration and a Master’s of Health Administration from Georgia State University in 2000. He and his wife, Mebane, have three children.

Kessel Stelling, Jr.

Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in February 2008 to represent Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, Kessel D. Stelling, Jr. is the President and CEO of Synovus Financial Corp., a financial services company with $31 billion in assets based in Columbus, Georgia. Synovus Financial Corp.’s bank divisions provide commercial and retail banking, investment and mortgage services to customers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Stelling, a Georgia native, is an accomplished business and community leader whose leadership abilities and dedication to service have benefited many civic organizations. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Chairman in 2008. He is also a member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, where he served as the Interim President from 1994-1995 and Chairman in 1998 and 2006. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business and a Trustee of Kennesaw State University. Regent Stelling earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Banking and Finance from the University of Georgia and attended the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Carol, have two sons.

Benjamin “Ben” J. Tarbutton III (Chair)

Ben Tarbutton is Assistant Vice President of the Sandersville Railroad Company, where he oversees daily operations, including maintaining the infrastructure, train transportation and customer service. He serves on the boards of directors for Sandersville Technical College, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Georgia. Regent Tarbutton is a past chairman of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Sandersville Rotary Club and a past member of the Georgia Rural Development Council. He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Georgia and a graduate of Leadership Washington County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue as the Twelfth Congressional District representative to the Board of Regents, Regent Tarbutton resides in Sandersville, where he and his family are active members of the Sandersville United Methodist Church.

Richard L. Tucker

Richard L. Tucker was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to represent the 7th District on the Board of Regents. He is the principal and managing partner of Arlington Capital LLC, a mezzanine lending fund. He is also principal in other business ventures involving investments, real estate development, and retail. Regent Tucker served as President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce from 1996-2003 and as its Chairman in 2005. He currently serves as Chairman of the Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation and President of The 1818 Club. He is also a charter member of the Georgia Gwinnett College Board of Trustees. In addition, Regent Tucker serves on the Board of Directors of the Brand Banking Company, Medical College of Georgia Health, Inc., Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Regent Tucker has been recognized four times by Georgia Trend magazine as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Leaders and was selected as one of Gwinnett’s most influential leaders by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. In 2003, Tucker was honored by the Council for Quality Growth as its “Button Gwinnett Award” winner, Gwinnett’s most prestigious award. Regent Tucker is a former member of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and the Governors Development Council. He received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. His principal residence is in Suwanee.

Larry Walker

Walker is an attorney with Walker, Hulbert, Gray & Byrd. He served in the Georgia General Assembly for more than 30 years, where he served as Administration Floor Leader for Governor Joe Frank Harris and as Majority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1986-2002. Walker also served as Chairman of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation for four years and was named one of “The 100 Most Powerful and Influential People in Georgia” by Georgia Trend for twelve straight years. Most recently, he served on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board, representing the Eighth Congressional District. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Janice, have four children and eight grandchildren.

Philip A. Wilheit, Sr.

Appointed by Governor Nathan Deal in January 2011, Philip A. Wilheit, Sr., is the president of Wilheit Packaging and Marketing Images. Regent Wilheit serves on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Commission and the Commission for a New Georgia. He is a member of Georgia. Chamber Transportation Commission and the Georgia Chamber Advisory Committee on School Board Governance. In addition to his service on the State Board of Education from 1996-1999, Wilheit served for more than 40 years on the board of the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce with one year as chairman and more than 20 years on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce with one year as chairman. He also served as treasurer for Congressman Nathan Deal for 28 years and served as the Statewide Chairman of the Deal for Governor campaign. Regent Wilheit received a B.A. in English from the University of the South-“Sewanee” in 1966. He and his wife Mary Hart have two adult children and three grandchildren.