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(Oct. 3, 2017)--Kay Keller is the new director of economic development and community engagement at the University of North Georgia (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ), effective Sept. 25.

Keller comes to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ from the Oconee Chamber of Commerce, where she served as president since 2013. In addition to managing the chamber’s operations and supporting the organization’s members, Keller was active in new businesses development and regional economic development projects. Keller serves on the Oconee Industrial Development Authority, Georgia’s Innovation Corridor Joint Development Authority, the Watkinsville Trade and Tourism Association, and the Oconee Advisory Board for United Way. Under Keller's stewardship, chamber membership grew from 450 to 590 members.

“¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ is a significant economic engine that generates an annual economic impact of more than $625 million on the communities it serves,” Kate Maine, chief of staff at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ, said. “Further, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ supports economic development through educational attainment, workforce development, and community collaborations that leverage the university’s talent and resources in northeast Georgia, the region and beyond. We are pleased to have someone with Kay’s experience and knowledge of the region to lead initiatives focused on economic and community engagement.”

In her new role, Keller will provide leadership to ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Regional Education and Economic Development (REED) initiative, an ongoing effort to collaborate with leaders in business, government, community, and education from across northeast Georgia to increase educational attainment and advance economic development.

"I'm proud and excited to be part of a university that is an active partner in the economic success of northeast Georgia," Keller said. "¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's growing influence will help develop a workforce that will enhance the quality of life for everyone in the region."

Keller is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she earned her bachelor of business administration in marketing. She and her family reside in Watkinsville, Georgia.

The University of North Georgia has more than 19,000 students and five campuses – in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County. As one of the nation’s six senior military colleges, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ is designated as a State Leadership Institution and as The Military College of Georgia®.