By DEBORAH BAYLISS
The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation is getting a new President and CEO. Paul C. White, the previous executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, was chosen to replace Valerie Hepburn in the position.
“The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation has been exceedingly fortunate to have had Dr. Hepburn at the helm for the last few years,” White said. “I am honored and delighted to have been selected to replace her upon her retirement at the end of this year. Not only does this opportunity allow me to return to the profession about which I am most passionate, but it also gets me back to my home state of Georgia where I look forward to helping the Foundation execute its stated mission of strengthening our communities through engaged philanthropy.”
With more than $16 million in assets, the Coastal Georgia Foundation was incorporated in 2005, as a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of Glynn, McIntosh and Camden counties and hosts more than 60 distinct funds.
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $9 million in grants to community organizations in the three-county region and beyond.
White, who was selected following a national search to fill the role, has two decades of successful private sector marketing and investment management experience in Oklahoma.
As the founding executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, and as a senior consultant with a national firm providing training and development services for community foundations across the country, White will start in the position beginning in November.
Raised in Atlanta, White graduated from The Westminster Schools and The University of Georgia and also attended Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Early in his career, White worked on the legislative staff of Georgia’s former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. White currently serves as the Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church and as a board member and former chair of the Tulsa Authority for Recovery of Energy. He and his wife, Monica, have two adult children.
Art Lucas, who led the Foundation’s search committee, praised White’s experience. “Paul White brings good knowledge of entrepreneurship and private sector management to blend with his great experience starting and running a successful regional Community Foundation,” Lucas said. “He grew up in Georgia and knows what it takes to promote impactful philanthropy in our communities. We are delighted to welcome Paul to Coastal Georgia and the Community Foundation.”
Hepburn, who has served as President and CEO of the Foundation since 2014, announced her retirement in June and will leave in early December. She will help with White’s transition and will continue to support and advise the organization on a voluntary basis.
Hepburn said during her time at the College of Coastal Georgia, she had the opportunity to experience tremendous community need and the incredible generosity across the region. “Following my retirement from the university system, working with the Community Foundation provided a venue to match that generosity with a host of worthy projects and programs to help those in need,” Hepburn stated.
Hepburn describes the board of directors as warm and wonderful. “Now, however, I am ready to work a little less full-time and have the chance to focus more on family and my avocations,” Hepburn said. “I plan to stay involved locally and consult with colleagues on public health and policy issues.”