The Rowen Foundation announced today the addition of  Georgia Gwinnett College President Dr. Jann L. Joseph, University of Georgia Provost Dr. S. Jack  Hu, and Georgia Institute of Technology Vice President of Institute Relations Bert Reeves to its  board of directors, and shared details for the first “State of Rowen” event, which will provide an  opportunity for discussion and an update on the status of the 2,000-acre innovation community. 

“A key to Rowen’s success in serving the future of Georgia is through deep partnerships with our  institutions of higher learning,” said Sachin Shailendra, chair of the Rowen Foundation. “Jann,  Jack and Bert are three of our state’s most respected academic leaders, and they will bring  immense value and insight to Rowen as site development begins and we activate the  partnerships and programs that will bring a unique mix of tenants to our property.”

Dr. Joseph has served as president of Georgia Gwinnett College since 2919. She came to GGC from the University of Indiana – South Bend where she served as executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, Division of Student Engagement and Success and then as interim chancellor. She currently serves as chair of the University System of Georgia Council on General Education and currently serves on the boards of the Atlanta  Regional Council for Higher Education, Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Hispanic Chamber, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, Rainbow Village and The Water Tower at Gwinnett.  

Reeves served for seven years in the Georgia General Assembly. He provides leadership for the Institute’s strategic external relations, including government and community relations, economic development, and other external facing areas. An attorney by trade, Reeves earned his bachelor of science degree in management at Georgia Tech and a law degree from Stetson University. Joseph, Hu and Reeves join founding board members Shailendra and Sam Hinton on the board. 

Foundation leaders also announced plans to host the “State of Rowen” on Jan. 27 at Georgia  Gwinnett College from 9-11 a.m. Currently, in person attendance is by invitation only, but the  event will be livestreamed. See rowenlife.com/news for livestream details. 

“The State of Rowen is an opportunity for us to shape the future of the project as we share our  progress with the community,” said Rowen Foundation President and CEO Mason Ailstock. “We  are bringing together a diverse set of experts in agriculture, medicine, and the environment and  creating opportunities for them to interact with each other and local leaders who have invested  in Rowen. We can’t wait to see what kind of energy and ideas emerge.” 

Speakers expected to attend include Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson,  State USDA Director Arthur Tripp, leadership from PCOM, Ramp Marketing, Georgia FirstGen,  BoehringerIngelheim, The Jones Center at Ichauway, and AGCO. This inaugural event will share  Rowen’s accomplishments over the last year, highlight work on the horizon and cast a vision for  the future.