Dr. David P. Mills will serve as director of the University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership beginning July 1, 2001. Mills succeeds retired director Melba G. Cooper, who led the Fanning Institute for ten years.

Mills currently heads the University’s Office of Economic Development Assistance, a cooperative division of Business Outreach Services/Small Business Development Center, Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Fanning Institute. Prior to his seven-year association with the Small Business Development Center, Mills worked for 15 years in various roles with Cooperative Extension Service.

Holding a doctorate in Adult Education, Mills is active in many University committees and professional associations, such as the Georgia Inter-University Rural Research Consortium, Georgia Economic Developers Association, American Economic Development Council, Georgia Rural Development Council, Georgia Community Developers Forum and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. Mills is a graduate from Leadership Georgia and Leadership Perry.

Vice President for Public Service and Outreach and Associate Provost Art Dunning says, "Dr. Mills brings to this position a unique combination of experience in community and leadership development along with a thorough knowledge of the state. He is well regarded and has a tremendous dedication to helping Georgia."

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