George Ervin Perdue III has served as a member on our Board since January 2024. Dr. Perdue has served as the 14th chancellor of the University System of Georgia since February 2022, overseeing all public colleges and universities . Prior to this, Dr. Perdue was the 31st Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from April 2017 to January 2021. He also served two terms as the governor of Georgia, from 2003 to 2011, and was a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1991 to 2001, where he chaired the Senate Higher Education Committee and eventually became Senate President Pro Tempore. Dr. Perdue earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia. He is also a veteran, serving three years in the U.S. Air Force. During this period of public service, he also founded several successful agricultural businesses.