Georgia Southern University’s Interim President, Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN, has announced the appointment of Trip Addison as Vice President for External Affairs. The Division of External Affairs includes University protocol, government relations and community engagement as well as the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Addison comes to Georgia Southern after serving in the role of assistant director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Prior to that, he held the position of deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, and previously was the Congressional and State Legislator Liaison and Policy Advisor for Deal for Governor, Inc. He also served as policy advisor to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in the areas of natural resources, tax and labor. He also chaired the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council and served as a member of the Georgia Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits.

Addison is also a “Double Eagle” graduate of Georgia Southern University, earning both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in construction management from the College of Business Administration. He was recently named into the Georgia Southern 40 Under 40 class of 2014.

“I am very pleased that Trip has accepted the position of Vice President for External Affairs,” said Interim President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN, “His experience with the state of Georgia, serving the governor and also being a Georgia Southern alumnus will serve our University and our community well.

Addison will begin his new role on Sept. 1.