Noah Covington, vice chairman of the Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC), was named the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Economic Developers Association on Monday at its annual awards banquet.
Selected by GEDA’s Board of Directors, after being nominated by the DABC, Covington has been a key leader in economic develop-ment for the last nine years in Bryan County, according to an announcement from GEDA.
“In that time, he has played a vital role in virtually every industrial project in Bryan County, having been involved in projects totaling nearly $300 million of investment and the creation or retention of over 1,000 jobs in the community,” the announcement said.
“Some of the projects in which Covington has played a significant role include Daniel Defense, a firearms manufacturer; Spreetail, an e-commerce fulfillment center; AGCO’s Massey Ferguson tractor assembly plant; the expansion of heavy-foundation equipment manufacturer CZM’s local assembly plant and relocation of the company’s world headquarters to the county; the location of Swiss-headquartered electrical interconnector components manufacturer Preci-Dip’s first U.S. production facility; and the location of a transload facility for Medline Industries, a medical supplies manufacturer and distributor, according to GEDA.
In addition to his service on the DABC Board of Directors, Covington also serves on the Bryan County Board of Commissioners.
“Whether he is working to help educate fellow elected officials and community leaders on the positive impacts of the work done by the DABC or taking time away from his work and family to meet with a prospect, Covington is always willing to lend a helping hand,” the release said.
“I have served with Noah on the DABC board for many years,” DABC Chairman Sean Register said. “Noah is a team player and a great asset to this authority. He has certainly earned this award and I would like to sincerely congratulate him for this well-deserved recognition.”
Covington was present at GEDA’s November Annual Awards luncheon in Atlanta, along with his wife, friends and community supporters, to receive the Volunteer of the Year award. Bert Brantley, deputy chief of staff for governmental affairs at the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp, presented the award to Covington. Also, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan addressed event attendees and congratulated all the winners.
Nearly 100 economic developers from around the state attended the ceremony in-person and another 30 attended virtually.