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Sharp Tapped for Athens Economic Development Foundation Board

By Natalie Rittle  | 

Acc

Plexus president and founder Stephanie Sharp was inducted to the Board of Directors for the Athens Economic Development Foundation.

Established in 2002 as a non profit organization and classified as 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation was created and supported by a partnership formed between:

  • Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
  • The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
  • The Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Authority
  • The University of Georgia

The Foundation's sole purpose is to attract and establish new businesses that will create additional jobs and import capital investment to Clarke County, Georgia. As this is a complex and competitive task, the organization is devoted to new business development along with sharing and promoting the numerous economic assets of the area. The Foundation is managed by a full time staff and governed by a prominent board of directors representing government, business and education.

Sharp, who will serve as Secretary on the board will join 11 distinguished members who include:

  • CHAIR, Tom Hollingsworth, Region Manager (Retired), Georgia Power Company
  • VICE-CHAIR, Flora W. Tydings, President Athens Technical College
  • SECRETARY, Tal DuVall, Chair, Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Authority
  • TREASURER, Peter Hodgson, President, SunTrust Bank
  • Pat Allen, Director of Community Relations, the University of Georgia
  • Paul Cramer, Director, The Classic Center
  • Hon. Heidi Davison, Mayor, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
  • Griff Doyle, Associate VP, the University of Georgia
  • Jeff Wilson, Publisher, Athens Banner Herald
  • Doc Eldridge, President, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Jared Bailey. President, AthFest

The Foundation also maintains relationships with the many related organizations that play a significant role in the creation and development of new business opportunities. Those relationships include, but are not limited to, Athens Technical College, Georgia Tech, UGA Small Business Center, SBA, Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Georgia Power, Georgia EMCs, Atlanta Gas Light, CSX Railroad, area business leadership and others.