Hank Huckaby, a political insider who has worked for several state colleges, will become the next chancellor of the University System of Georgia July 1.
The state Board of Regents formally hired Huckaby Friday. He will earn $497,000 a year, which includes a base salary of $425,000 and a housing allowance of $72,000.
He will succeed the current chancellor, Erroll Davis, who will retire when his contract expires at the end of June. Davis received the same base salary and housing allowance.
Huckaby's selection was of little surprise. His name was tossed around for weeks before the regents revealed April 22 that he was the sole finalist. State law required the board to wait at least 14 days before voting on the hire.
During those two weeks, Huckaby, R-Watkinsville, resigned his House of Representatives seat. A special election is scheduled for June 21.
Huckaby has more than 40 years in public service. The first-term lawmaker was one of Gov. Nathan Deal's floor leaders. He was former Gov. Sonny Perdue's chief financial officer and ran the state Office of Planning and Budget for former Gov. Zell Miller. He has worked at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and Gordon College.
After the regents vote, Huckaby said he still finds it hard to believe that he will be the next chancellor.
"For me, this is the culmination of a lifetime of work for this University System and for the state of Georgia," he said. "I love them both for all they have provided to me."
While Huckaby’s new job won’t start for weeks, he plans to attend Tuesday’s regents meeting. He is expected to have a temporary office at the University System so he can meet with people and participate in discussions on various issues. Over the next few weeks the system staff will be reviewing the budgets sent in by each campus.
"I don’t want there to be much of a learning curve for him," regents Chairman Willis Potts said before the vote. "We have a lot to do and we need to move ahead."
Huckaby said one of his first priorities will be to hire a new chief academic officer, as Susan Herbst is leaving to be the president of the University of Connecticut.
He's also expected to rebuild the damaged relationship between the General Assembly and the regents. While there long has been tension between the two, it worsened during the recession because there was less money to go around.
Deal and members of the Legislature have said the regents made a good hire. Huckaby was confident the groups will have a good relationship.
"It's not rocket science," he said, explaining the key is meeting with people and keeping them informed. "I will start that process immediately."
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