Atlanta, GA., January 6, 2016 – Robert S. Jepson, Jr., GHS Board of Curators Chairman, and Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society, have again been named by Georgia Trend Magazine as two of the 100 most influential Georgians. This is the fifth year for Dr. Groce and fourth for Mr. Jepson to make the annual listing of the state’s most powerful and influential citizens who affect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians.
Robert S. Jepson, Jr. is Chairman and CEO of Jepson and Associates and the Chairman of the Georgia Historical Society Board of Curators. Mr. Jepson is a businessman, philanthropist and former Chairman and CEO of the Jepson Corporation, a Fortune 500 diversified manufacturing conglomerate, which he founded in 1983. He is past chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority, founder of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond and was named the 2013 Most Respected Business Leader in Georgia by Georgia Trend.
Dr. Groce, the 43rd President of the Georgia Historical Society, has overseen unprecedented growth for GHS and was honored by the Georgia Historical Society in May of 2015 when he celebrated his 20th anniversary at the helm of the organization. Under his leadership the institution’s operating budget has increased 1000%, with an $8 million dollar endowment, and membership has tripled from 2,000 to 6,000, including nearly 200 local affiliate organizations in 80 counties.
“We are proud to have Mr. Jepson and Dr. Groce recognized by Georgia Trend,” said Laura Garcia-Culler, Executive Vice President and COO of the Georgia Historical Society. “Because of their dedicated leadership GHS has continued to expand its reach across the state of Georgia and beyond, impacting researchers, students, residents and visitors alike through the GHS Research Center, the annual Georgia History Festival, the Trustees Gala and other programs throughout the year.”
The annual selections of the 100 Most Influential Georgians are made through a year-round process by the editorial staff at Georgia Trend and are announced each January. Profiles for Mr. Jepson and Dr. Groce can be found in the January 2016 issue of Georgia Trend.
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