The Board of Directors of United Community Banks, Inc. appointed Cathy Cox, the former Secretary of the State of Georgia and the current President of Young Harris College, to serve as a director of the company.

Cox has been president of Young Harris College since 2007. Prior to becoming Young Harris College President, Cox served as the Secretary of State of Georgia from 1999 – 2007. She also has served in the Georgia House of Representatives and was the state’s Assistant Secretary of State. During 2007, Cox also served as the Carl E. Sanders Political Leadership Chair at the University of Georgia School of Law.

As an attorney, Cox was a partner in the firm of Lambert, Floyd & Conger from 1988 – 1996 and was an associate at the firm of Hansell & Post from 1986 – 1988. She also worked as a journalist in the early 1980s.

Cox holds an honorary Doctor of Laws and a Juris Doctorate from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism.

“We are quite honored to have such an esteemed and accomplished individual as Cathy Cox as a member of United’s Board of Directors,” stated Board Chairman Robert Head, Jr. “Cathy brings a breadth of legal experience, business acumen and community involvement to this Board and we are confident that she will make an immediate, positive impact.”

Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private United Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in Young Harris, Georgia.