Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence
The Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence recognizes a GEDA member with at least 10 years of economic development experience for professionalism, honor, integrity, leadership, hard work, and contributions to the profession. Current officers, directors, and committee chairs are not eligible for this award. Potential recipients are nominated by previous recipients, or by current officers, directors, and chairs. The selection of no more than one Rip Wiley Award recipient annually is made by the current Officers.
From the files of GEDA... H. W. "Rip" Wiley worked for the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism as Director of the Industry Division when he passed in October 1978. Rip's primary objective was to locate industry in the rural communities of Georgia. He also strived to help local communities initiate development efforts in their particular community which would enable the recruitment and retention of industry. He worked long and hard to ensure that his projects were not being "let go". An example of his commitment was once while in intensive care, he "ordered" his briefcase be brought to him so that he could work. He genuinely stood for the people of Georgia, politics and egos aside. In striving to serve Georgia, he represented the state as a shining example of honor, leadership, integrity, dedication, professionalism and hard work which impacted numerous persons in the industrial development field in Georgia. This award was established upon his death in 1978 to be presented to the person in economic development who best represents his spirit of excellence."
Rip Wiley Awards Recipients
| Jim Ewing | 2007 |
| Timothy L. Martin, CEcD, EDFP | 2006 |
| Annie Hunt Burriss | 2005 |
| Willie M. Paulk | 2004 |
| Daniel M. McRae | 2003 |
| Charles R. Gatlin | 2002 |
| Deborah Lohnes | 2001 |
| Sherman Dudley | 2000 |
| Michael H. Lott | 1999 |
| George Rogers | 1998 |
| Jane Fryer | 1997 |
| David C. Garrett III | 1996 |
| Randy Cardoza | 1995 |
| Kevin Shea | 1994 |
| Roy B. Cooper | 1993 |
| James L. Martin, Jr. | 1992 |
| Parks Burton | 1991 |
| Ron Robinson | 1990 |
| Jim Steed | 1989 |
| Lamar Clifton | 1988 |
| Cliff McDuffie | 1987 |
| Glenn Cornell | 1986 |
| Jack Talley | 1985 |
| Bob Cassell | 1984 |
| Penn Worden | 1983 |
| Andy Andrews | 1982 |
| David Morgan | 1981 |
| Bob Evans | 1980 |