Willis Potts Will Speak at GHC Graduation
Regent Willis J. Potts will address Georgia Highlands College graduates at commencement exercises on May 10, 10 a.m., at the Forum in Rome. His topic, “The Fourth R,” will emphasize lessons learned outside the classroom that serve as a winning accompaniment to a solid education.
Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed Potts of Rome in 2006 to represent the 11th congressional district on the Board of Regents. Potts had retired in June 2004 as the vice president and general manager of Rome-based Temple-Inland Corporation following a 35-year career in the international pulp and paper industry. He began his career as an engineer at Union Camp Corporation's Savannah pulp and paper mill in 1969 where he held a series of operational and management positions, including resident manager of Union Camp's mill in Prattville, Ala. He was named general manager and senior vice president of the company in 1992.
In 1999, following a 30-year career with Union Camp, Potts moved to the position he retired from at Temple-Inland. Potts served as President of the Paper Industry Management Association in 1995, and in 1999, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry recognized his outstanding service to the industry by naming him a fellow. In 2002 the Pulp and Paper Safety Association presented him with the Executive Eagle Award, conferred on outstanding paper industry executives who have made major contributions to the cause of accident prevention in his/her company and beyond. Potts also is active with the United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs and Chamber of Commerce. He is chairman of the mentoring program Communities in Schools. Potts earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and completed the University of Virginia's Executive Program.
Georgia Highlands College is a two-year unit of the University System of Georgia, serving more than 4,000 students at six sites in Rome, Cartersville, Acworth, Marietta and Carrollton.