Newton County Superior Court Judge Horace Johnson was recently elected vice president of the 2008 Board of Trustees of Leadership Georgia.

Johnson was elected to a three-year term on the board. After serving as vice president this year, in 2009 he will serve as president and as chair in 2010.

Leadership Georgia is an organization designed to foster communication and collaboration for Georgia leaders by bringing them into contact with diverse communities located throughout the state. It is an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Johnson first became involved with Leadership Georgia in 2002 when he and his wife, Michelle, took part in the program. After graduating from the program, Johnson served as programs chair in 2003 and on Leadership Georgia's Board of Trustees from 2004-2006.

Johnson described Leadership Georgia as an organization where members exchanged ideas that could be brought back to their respective communities for implementation.

"It's a great organization," Johnson said. "We've met some wonderful people. I was honored to come back and serve in these particular roles."

Eva Duvall, director of operations for Leadership Georgia, said Johnson was nominated by the board of trustees to serve as vice president because of his devotion to the organization throughout the years.

"Not only has he proven his leadership skills in the organization but also within his community," Duvall said. "He's a great leader."

 Through his time with Leadership Georgia Johnson said he has traveled all across the state and seen both small rural towns and large metropolitan cities.

Each year Leadership Georgia holds five weekend programs. Johnson said he is helping to plan the programs for 2009. As vice president he will be responsible for selecting the program sites for the next year.

Johnson said the participants are put to work during the weekend programs. Johnson recalled one program in 2002 when he and his wife were set to work digging latrines for a Habitat for Humanity House. This year Johnson said one of the programs will bring participants to a farming community in Cordele where they will get a chance to work with farm machinery.

"They aren't all social," Johnson said of Leadership Georgia's programs. "They're meaty. You come back tired. It's a hands-on program. You're not necessarily sitting in a hotel or seminar room."

Johnson is a graduate of Leadership Newton County and Leadership DeKalb County. He is a past vice-chair of The Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of The Arts Association in Newton County. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the Community Foundation of Newton County and the Washington Street Community Center. He is a member of the Board of Counselors of Oxford College of Emory University where he is an alumnus.