Walter C. Sprouse, Jr., CEcD, HLM, FM, Executive Director of the Augusta Economic Development Authority in Augusta, has been named to the prestigious 2017 edition of Georgia Trend magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians”.  The announcement was made today at Georgia Trend’s headquarters in Atlanta.  This is the second time Sprouse has been named to the list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians, and was previously named to the list of Notable Georgians five times.        

Sprouse has been Executive Director of Augusta’s economic development organization since 2003.  During that time, the Augusta Economic Development Authority has recruited more than $1,200,000,000 in new investment for Augusta, along with more than 19,000 new jobs. 

According to the just-released January 2017 edition of Georgia Trend, “We not only have a list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians, but a representation of the strength of leadership in our state.  Each of the 100 people you’ll find on the list has an enormous impact on the daily lives of Georgians.” 

Sprouse is a native of Monroe, North Carolina, a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Journalism, and the University of Georgia Institute for Organizational Management.  Sprouse served on the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council for twelve years.  He was recognized by IEDC as a Fellow Member in 2008 and as an Honorary Life Member in 2011.  He is an active member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the University of South Carolina Alumni Academy and is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina Alumni Association.  He is a Fellow of the Industrial Asset Management Council, and Past President of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association.  He is a former State Director for the Southern Economic Development Council, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta.

Other key leaders on the Georgia Trend 2017 list of “100 Most Influential Georgians” include Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Augusta University President Brooks Keel, Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Attorney General Chris Carr, University of Georgia President Jere Morehead,  US Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta Braves CEO Terry McGuirk, Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harris Hines, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, Aflac CEO Dan Amos and UPS CEO David Abney.

Sprouse is married to Cookie Clyburn Sprouse.  They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.