Annie Hunt Burriss to Join Oglethorpe University

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Annie Hunt Burriss has accepted a position at Oglethorpe University as an associate provost and the University president's deputy for community relations.  Burriss has served as the executive director of the Governor's Commission for a New Georgia since January 2004.  Her resignation is effective June 30, 2005.

“It is with equal parts of pride and regret that I announce the departure of Annie Hunt Burriss from the Commission for a New Georgia.  The commission has been Annie's ‘idea factory' for the last 18 months,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “I congratulate Annie on a job well done and wish her a great future in higher education.”

“Annie's leadership has allowed the commission to make bold recommendations for the improvement of government services,” said Commission Co-Chair Bob Hatcher. “Oglethorpe University will surely benefit from her can-do attitude.”

“We will sorely miss Annie's energy and enthusiasm,” said Commission Co-Chair Joe Rogers. 
  Under her leadership, the commission had the following accomplishments:

• Eighteen task forces have been launched and more than 300 citizen-experts and pro bono consultants have been enlisted in Commission task forces.  These groups have focused on facts, followed well-crafted guiding principles and created practical recommendations. 
• Commission recommendations have led to three Executive Orders, administrative actions and a 1.000 batting average for legislation sponsored.
• The state has identified for the first time in decades the number of automobiles it owns and has reduced the size of that fleet – through auction and agency reductions in assignments – by nearly 10% or over 1,500 vehicles to date.
• Commission actions are having a major impact on cost savings, smarter management of our capital assets, and jobs for Georgians, based on the new realities of a global economy.
• State agencies are now working in teams instead of silos and a culture of continuous improvement will begin to be institutionalized this summer in the Governor's Leadership Development Institute, where high-potential state employees will be prepared for succession and service at the top levels of state government.
  

More information about the Commission for a New Georgia can be found at www.newgeorgia.org .