Dayton L. Sherrouse, FAICP, was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners at the National Planning Conference of the American Planning Association in New Orleans April 22.

Fellowship is one of the highest honors that the professional planning organization bestows and is granted to AICP members who have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service, and leadership. Sherrouse is a charter member of the institute, a designation he attained in 1976 after passing a rigorous exam and other professional and educational milestones. Fellows are  selected by the national organization after achieving a significant body of work in their professional planning career.

Sherrouse is executive director of the Augusta Canal Authority, a position he has held since 1998. In addition to his role leading the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, he has served as county administrator for Richmond County (GA) board of commissioners, executive director for the Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission, executive vice president of Augusta Tomorrow, Inc., president of Planning, Research and Management, chairman of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and chairman of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, among other leadership roles.

During his tenure with the Augusta Canal Authority and Augusta Tomorrow, Sherrouse has overseen development and implementation of the 1993 Augusta Canal Master Plan. Over the past 25 years the plan led to Augusta Canal’s designation by the US Congress as a National Heritage Area, to the rehabilitation of the city’s former textile mills, the build-out of a multi-purpose recreational trail and park system and creation of the Augusta Canal Discovery Center and Petersburg Tour Boats- now leading tourist attractions for the region. This master plan continues to guide the Authority’s work in historic preservation, education and interpretation, recreation, and economic development.

Sherrouse’s community service includes secretary/treasurer roles with the Augusta Foundation for the Arts since 1989, and as a founder and chairman of the Augusta Southern Nationals boat race series.

Sherrouse holds a BS (’66) and MS (’70) in economics from Florida State University. He is a member of the 1988 class of Leadership Georgia.