New University of georgia Extension Service director named

ATHENS —Laura Perry Johnson, currently the University of Georgia Extension Service director for Southwest Georgia, will become the new director of the UGA Extension Service on New Year’s Day.

J. Scott Angle, dean and director of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, made the announcement late Monday.

“We are confident Laura will take UGA Extension in new and exciting directions,” Angle said. “Her wealth of experience and deep understanding of the state and the needs of those we serve will be invaluable.”

Perry Johnson’s official title will be associate dean of extension.

“When I (started at) the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as a student in 1983, I had no idea where that would lead me,” she said. “But it’s my belief in this organization and the work we do that has kept me here.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help continue to move the organization forward and enhance our reputation as one of the premier Extension organizations in the nation.”

As district extension director for southwest Georgia, she currently manages faculty, staff and UGA Extension programs for 41 counties. She has been with the college for 25 years, serving as a graduate teaching and research assistant, laboratory technician, youth livestock specialist and district 4-H program development coordinator before becoming district director in 2012.

Perry Johnson has bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in animal and dairy science from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She currently holds the rank of senior public service associate within the UGA public service faculty system.

UGA Extension is a statewide network of agriculture and natural resources, 4-H and youth development and family and consumer sciences experts, with offices in 157 of Georgia’s 159 counties. The organization’s mission is to deliver the knowledge and discoveries from the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Family and Consumer Sciences to the people of Georgia.