Newton County’s head industrial recruiter Roger Harrison received the 2013 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award from Georgia College.

Harrison graduated from Georgia College, formerly Georgia College and State University, in 2009 with a master’s degree in public administration.

Harrison just announced he was leaving Covington/Newton County Office of Economic Development, where he has served as senior vice president of economic development since late 2010.

In his 2.5 years with the county, Harrison’s office has helped create more than 2,000 private sector jobs and more than $1.3 billion in capital investment, much of that related to Baxter International’s planned plant; however, Harrison helped land multiple new industries and promote expansions among existing industries.

He has served as the chairman of the Georgia Governor’s Honors Alumni Association and as a foundation trustee for Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

He has also served as a board member for the Georgia 4-H Advisory Board.

Harrison received his bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College; he has completed two years of coursework toward his doctorate degree in public administration at Valdosta State University.

The ninth generation Georgian is a native of Monticello.

The Outstanding Recent Alumni Award is presented annually to an alumnus who has graduated within the past 10 years and has established notable recognition in a professional or business career with promise for continued success.

A banquet on April 19 in the Student Activities Center on Georgia College’s Milledgeville campus will recognize the honorees.