Atlanta, Ga., January 9, 2019 - The Georgia Historical Society announced today that Lawrence L. Gellerstedt III has been named the newest member of the GHS Board of Curators.
 
“Larry Gellerstedt is one of the most accomplished and talented leaders in this state,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “His abilities and vision are second-to-none. He will bring to our institution the same transformational leadership that he has demonstrated throughout his career.”
 
In January 2019, Mr. Gellerstedt became Executive Chairman of Cousins Properties, after serving as Chairman of the Board and CEO since 2017. From June 2009 to July 2017, Mr. Gellerstedt served as the company's President and CEO and prior to this period held the position of President and COO. He joined Cousins in 2005 following the acquisition of his firm, The Gellerstedt Group. During his tenure at Cousins, Mr. Gellerstedt led Cousins from an equity market cap of $665 million to over $3.8 billion.
 
Mr. Gellerstedt began his career at Beers Construction Company (Beers) in 1978 as an estimator and project manager. Eight years later, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beers and led the company to annual revenues in excess of $1.2 billion and the company’s eventual sale to Skanska AB. He has also held positions as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Integral Group and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Business Products.
 
Spanning a career of more than 35 years, Mr. Gellerstedt has received numerous accolades including Atlanta American Jewish Committee National Human Relations of the Year Award, Atlanta Business Chronicle Most Admired CEO, Georgia Trend magazine’s Georgia’s Most Admired CEO and 100 Most Influential Georgians.
 
Mr. Gellerstedt currently serves as Director, Georgia Power Company; Chairman, Atlanta Committee for Progress, Georgia Research Alliance and Jesse Parker Williams Foundation; and Vice Chairman, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. He served as Past Chair, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The Commerce Club, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Metro Atlanta YMCA, Midtown Alliance, and Woodruff Arts Center.
 
The Georgia Historical Society Board of Curators is chaired by Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso (Atlanta/Albany), Chairman and a director of Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. and Atlantic Capital Bank. Other officers of the Board of Curators are Thomas M. Holder, Vice-Chairman (Atlanta); H. Jerome Russell, Jr., Treasurer (Atlanta) ; and Douglas J. Hertz, Secretary (Atlanta).
 
Mr. Gellerstedt joins Board members James H. Blanchard (Columbus), Ellen B. Bolch (Savannah), W. Paul Bowers (Atlanta), Dolly Chisholm (Savannah), A.D. “Pete” Correll (Atlanta), Erroll B. Davis, Jr. (Atlanta), Reed Dulany III (Savannah), John F. McMullan, ex-officio (Atlanta), Sam Nunn, Honorary (Atlanta), Former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears (Atlanta), Mark V. Smith (Savannah), Kessell D. Stelling, Jr. (Columbus/Atlanta), Clyde C. Tuggle (Atlanta), Don L. Waters (Savannah), and Philip Wilheit, Sr (Gainesville).
 
For more information on the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical Society please contact Patricia Meagher at 404.382.5410 or by email at pmeagher@GeorgiaHistory.com

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ABOUT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.