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George Penick, RGSPI Director

George Penick became the first director of the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute in March, 2006. He previously served as president of the Foundation for the Mid South since its creation in 1990. The Foundation for the Mid South – based in Jackson, Miss. – supports education, economic development, and children’s programs in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Earlier, Penick was the executive director of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in Jacksonville, Fla. He previously was the associate director of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Penick has served in a variety of leadership roles in the professional world of nonprofits and foundations, including his current position on the boards of the Foundation Center, the Carpathian Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and the Hope Community Credit Union.

Previously, Penick served on the board of directors of the Council on Foundations, the Southeastern Council of Foundations, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Episcopal Relief and Development, Women and Philanthropy, Davidson College, and other leadership organizations.

Penick graduated from Davidson College. He received a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in education administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.