the Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 2 - The College of Coastal Georgia

today. I continued to work in banking after enrolling at UGA.”Hodges worked for several banks, and in all aspectsin banking, but he considers the pinnacle of his careerachievement to be returning to coastal Georgia to helpfound the First Bank of Brunswick, now Ameris Bank. “Itwas an entrepreneurial leap – for myself, as a banker, butalso for helping other local businesses and entrepreneurs inour community get started and succeed.” Since 1989, he hasserved as president andCEO and continues todayas market president forAmeris Bank.The list of his serviceactivities and civic involvementis lengthy, spanningLeadership Glynn andLeadership Georgia, UnitedWay, the American RedCross, and both the local and state Chamber of Commerce. Inaddition to the College Foundation, he is also heavily involvedin the Southeast Georgia Health System and the Jekyll IslandAuthority. In 2011, Hodges was the recipient of the Brunswick-GoldenIsles Chamber of Commerce Shepherd CenterAward for development of the community and promotion ofthe area and its worthy causes.His role as chairman of the Brunswick-Golden IslesChamber of Commerce during 2004-2005 crystallizedhis understanding of the need for a baccalaureate degreegrantinginstitution in southeast Georgia. In 2007, he beganco-chairing the Education Subcommittee of the Chamberwith a key goal of securing state college status for the College.“There are certain institutions any community musthave to be successful: business, education, and a goodhealth system,” he explains. “The College is a big part of thecommunity. I’m investing my heart at home.”When he began his service as a College Foundationtrustee during 2005-2006, he recognized unmet needsas well as the College’s importance to the community. Hecurrently serves as vice chair of the College Foundation, butviews his work as chair of the Foundation’s Investment andReal Estate Committee as his most important to date. He ismost pleased with the planning and financing of the firston-campus student residential housing, which opened inAugust 2011.Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue appointedHodges to serve on the Jekyll Island Park Authority in“There are certain institutions any communitymust have to be successful: business,education, and a good health system. TheCollege is a big part of the community. I’minvesting my heart at home.”2005. He was reappointed by Governor Nathan Deal andserves as secretary of the JIA as well as chair of the FinanceCommittee. Through a unique partnership with the JekyllIsland Authority, full-time Coastal Georgia studentsreceive special passes as a benefit of their student activityfee. The decals provide unlimited access to the islandfor one year.“There is nothing that can affect development of the regionmore than proper redevelopmentof Jekyll Island –which is owned by 9 millionGeorgians who should enjoyit,” he says. “And what othercollege in Georgia can offera student pass to somewherelike Jekyll Island?”Since 2004 Hodges hasserved on the Glynn-BrunswickMemorial Hospital Authority, which governs SoutheastGeorgia Health System. The Hospital Authority and theHealth System provides significant support to the College,including establishment of the College’s first named deanship:the Southeast Georgia Health System DistinguishedDean of Nursing and Health Sciences.The serendipitous relationships between the institutionshe serves are no accident. “Gary [Colberg, President andCEO of the Southeast Georgia Health System] says ‘workingtogether works’ – and it does!” Hodges laughs. “I lookforward to the day when a nursing student stepping outfrom home can turn one way to walk a couple of blocks toclass or turn the other way to walk to work at the hospital.”In making the award presentation, Rev. Dr. Glenn ThomasCarson, President of the Alumni Association, noted, “Hehas served as a tireless advocate, fundraiser, supporter,and wise counsel on behalf of the College’s administrationand Foundation.”“Mike Hodges is an accomplished businessman, activecivic leader, respected public servant, and a dedicatedalumnus of the College,” College President Valerie Hepburnconcluded. “He represents the finest values and attributes towhich the College of Coastal Georgia and its students aspire– educational access, scholarship, community service, civicengagement, and principled leadership.”Hodges’ vision is simple. He wants and works for theCollege of Coastal Georgia to reach full potential - to be all itcan possibly be for his community. uCollege of Coastal Georgia – the Magazine 27