Johnathon Barrett, current vice president of statewide operations at Junior Achievement of Georgia, recently announced to JA’s leadership and board of directors he has been selected to serve as the new executive director of the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

On May 1, 2018, Barrett will begin his new position based in Athens, Ga., at the University of Georgia and will assume the helm of Georgia 4-H Foundation, the state’s largest youth leadership organization with operations in all 159 counties across Georgia.

“Over the years, Johnathon has led Junior Achievement to become one of the most impactful and successful nonprofits in our area of Georgia; the annual Savannah Business Hall of Fame alone draws an audience of more than 500 area business and civic leaders,” said Don Waters, a regent for the University System of Georgia and longtime supporter of JA. “Under his leadership, more than 100,000 students have been reached with JA programs this past decade. While we will miss him here in Savannah, I am thrilled that he is taking his talents and experience to UGA to become the executive director of the Georgia 4-H Foundation.”

Barrett joined JA of Georgia in 2004. Under his leadership, he ushered in a new era of programming, which now serves more than 15,000 students a year in the coastal region in schools across Bulloch, Effingham, Chatham, Wayne, Liberty, and McIntosh counties. The coastal region is consistently recognized as one of the most successful JA chapters in its market size across the U.S. and considered one of the area’s strongest and most impactful nonprofits, partnering with more than 200 area businesses and 400 local volunteers with area schools.

“Johnathon’s skillful and dedicated leadership has made the Savannah chapter of Junior Achievement one of the most effective in the country,” said Shawn Kachmar, a partner at HunterMaclean and member of JA of Georgia - Coastal Region board of directors. “During his tenure, JA has made a difference in the lives of thousands of students in the coastal region and throughout Georgia. His leadership, dedication, and vision will be missed.”

While based in Savannah, Barrett also served as the manager/leader for all JA of Georgia operations outside of metro-Atlanta, with offices, programs, and boards in Savannah, Dalton, Gainesville, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, and Cumming. A former CPA, Barrett kept those under his oversight financially sound even through the last economic downturn. In addition, the organization’s signature event, the Savannah Business Hall of Fame, remains the area’s largest and most recognized business event each year with more than 500 people in attendance.

“It has truly been an honor to serve our community in such a meaningful way over these last 14 years,” said Barrett. “I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of those who offered their support and guidance over the years. This is an amazing and generous community and I will cherish my days at JA for a lifetime.”