Leadership Georgia, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber and one of the nation’s most distinguished young leaders’ programs, has announced the recipients of its 2014 awards.  Three Georgians have been chosen for their outstanding contributions to Leadership Georgia, their communities and the state. 

Over 400 people are expected to attend to honor the awardees, reconnect with friends, and continue the strong legacy of Leadership Georgia at the Annual Gala in November.

“This year’s award winners exemplify the principles Leadership Georgia stands for in making our communities and state a better place.  On behalf of Leadership Georgia, I am honored to recognize and celebrate these individuals for their work and achievements,” said Alex Wayne, chair of Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees and partner at Wayne Trading Company.

The 2014 Leadership Georgia award winners are:

J.W. Fanning Award - Robert Scott Jepson, Jr.

Robert Jepson is Chairman and CEO of Jepson Associates, Inc., a private investment firm Mr. Jepson founded in 1989.  Formerly, Mr. Jepson was Chairman and CEO of Jepson Corporation, a Fortune 500 diversified manufacturing conglomerate, listed on the NYSE, which Mr. Jepson sold in 1989.  Mr. Jepson currently serves on the Boards of Dominion Resources, Inc. as Chair of Dominion Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee and Lead Director of the Board.  He is also Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Ports Authority, Vice Chairman of the Georgia Historical Society, and Vice Chairman of the Savannah College of Art and Design Board of Visitors.  Active philanthropists, Mr. Jepson and his wife founded the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies in 1992.  In May 2013, Georgia Trend named Mr. Jepson their 2013 Most Respected Business Leader.

Frederick B. Kerr Service Award - Ben J. Tarbutton III

Ben Tarbutton III is the Assistant Vice President of the Sandersville Railroad Company.  He is active in his community and at the state level serving as a Board of Director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Oconee Fall Line Technical College and was recently reappointed by Governor Nathan Deal to a second term on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.  In the past, Mr. Tarbutton has served as Chairman of University System of Georgia Board of Regents, Leadership Georgia, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Georgia Railroad Association and Sandersville Rotary Club.  Additionally, Mr. Tarbutton has been recognized as a 100 Most Influential and Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend for several years.

E. Dale Threadgill Community Service Award - James Paul Ferguson (Paul)

Paul Ferguson is the retired President and CEO of Harbin Clinic.  He has spent his professional career serving our community in many ways including his time in the military, as both Treasurer and President of the Neurosurgical Society of America as well as the Georgia Neurosurgical Society, and his involvement on various committees in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.  Dr. Ferguson currently helps our community by serving as a Trustee Emeritus for Berry College, a Board of Director for Georgia Northwestern Technical College, his involvement with the Future Industries Initiative Committee and Rome Rotary Club past Chairman and President, as well as countless other activities.  Dr. Ferguson has received many awards including the Heart of the Community Award, the Distinguished Citizen Award for his involvement in Boy Scouts of America, and Community Advocate of the Year for the Medical College of Georgia.

This year’s award winners will be honored at Leadership Georgia’s 2014 Gala and Alumni Awards ceremony, taking place Friday, November 21, 2014 at the Headquarters of Zac Brown’s Southern Ground in Peachtree City, GA.  For more information and online registration, please visit www.leadershipgeorgia.com.