Governor Perdue Announces Appointment to Board of Regents

Governor Perdue Announces Appointment to Board of Regents

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Willis J. Potts, Jr. to the Board of Regents of The University System of Georgia. Potts replaces former Governor Joe Frank Harris of Cartersville, whose term expired on January 1, 2006.  

“Our entire state owes Governor Harris a debt of gratitude for his service to the University System of Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “His devotion to the improvement of Georgia 's higher education system is reflective of his strong commitment to education both as a Governor and as a Regent.  His positive impact on Georgia 's higher education system is immeasurable.”

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Willis J. Potts, Jr., 59, Rome , GA , Eleventh Congressional District Representative – Potts recently retired as a vice president and general manager of Temple-Inland Inc., which produces corrugated packaging and wood products. Before working at Temple-Inland he was the senior vice president and general manager of Union Camp Corporation in Savannah . Potts is currently the chairman of the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry and the mentoring program Communities in Schools. He is also a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Rome. Potts earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Glenda, have three grown children and five grandchildren.

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