Venessa Harrison has been named new state president for AT&T in Georgia.
 
With over three decades of experience with AT&T and its predecessor companies, Harrison comes to Georgia after serving as AT&T-North Carolina’s state president since 2013. She succeeds William Leahy, who recently announced his retirement after a nearly-four decade career with AT&T.
 
“Venessa will do a tremendous job as president of AT&T Georgia,” said Dave Nichols, AT&T President-Southern Region. "Not only does she bring an impressive history of leadership and public policy expertise, she has a very strong passion for community service and engagement, which will serve our customers, employees and stakeholders across the Peach State very well.”
 
As president of AT&T Georgia, Harrison will work closely with community and business leaders, elected officials, and others at AT&T to continue bringing the most advanced communications and entertainment technologies and services to the state.
 
"As the new state president of AT&T in Georgia, I look forward to helping build on AT&T’s long history in the state – 139 years and counting – of investment, job creation, and innovation in urban and rural communities across our great state, creating a brighter today and more promising tomorrow for all," said Harrison.

A Raleigh native, Harrison began her telecommunications career in 1979 as a telephone operator - having applied for the job almost on an impulse. She subsequently pursued a career-development opportunity in the network organization where she worked her way into a management capacity. Harrison advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in the network, business, and regulatory and external affairs departments.

In addition to her AT&T responsibilities, Harrison has also been very involved in community, charitable, and education activities. She currently serves as the First Vice Chair of the North Carolina Chamber, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina A&T State University, and the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Carolinas. She is also a member of the Governor’s NC Business Council and the NC reading initiative of the national Business Roundtable.

Harrison holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. She is married with two children.