Georgia Research Alliance celebrates 35 years at the Governor’s Mansion

For the first time in its 35-year history, the Georgia Research Alliance held its quarterly board meeting at the Governor’s Mansion on Sept. 18. Appropriately, the location meant the meeting was filled with reverence and symbolism.

The meeting was unlike most GRA board meetings because it focused less on its operations and more on its significant history, which was full of milestones.

Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty posed with the presidents of four universities and Sonny Perdue, a former governor who is now chancellor of the University System of Georgia.

“We’re big fans of GRA,” Kemp said at the beginning of the lunch meeting. “It goes back to when I was in the legislature under Gov. Sonny Perdue.”

Kemp spoke of how the GRA has helped Georgia fulfill its goal of having “a technology-based economy” with a big return on investment. Kemp said GRA also helps with the state’s efforts to graduate more students every year. 

“Our research institutions make sure we are giving them economic opportunity,” Kemp said. “I want to thank you for what you’re doing.”
Lizanne Thomas, who chairs GRA’s board, kicked off the meeting by recognizing two leaders who helped launch and grow the Alliance.

The first person to be recognized was Tom Cousins, one of the founding GRA board members, who died in July. “He was an ardent supporter, and he was our second board chair,” said Thomas, who credited Cousins for being a “champion” of Georgia’s universities.

Lillian Cousins Giornelli accepted a gift in her father’s honor, saying: “Of his many accomplishments, this was always at the top.”

The other person who was recognized was Charles “Pete” McTier, former president of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which has been instrumental in GRA’s success. Under McTier’s leadership, the Woodruff Foundation made an early $5 million grant, which gave the Alliance credibility in philanthropic and business circles. When he retired in 2006, McTier joined GRA’s board. 

“Today is Pete’s last meeting of GRA,” Thomas told the board members. 

“Supporting GRA is a no-brainer,” McTier chimed in. 

Tim Denning, GRA’s president and CEO, said that over the past 35 years, the Alliance has received just under $700 million from the State of Georgia. That has turned into $16 billion in economic impact — a rate of return of $22 to every $1 invested.

In looking to the future, Denning said the future of research funding is uncertain, which will impact GRA and its member institutions.

“We always have the opportunity to evolve and improve,” Denning said. “GRA can play an important role.”