Don Leebern III and Emily Parker Myers, Co-chairs of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority, announced the appointment of Jim McLendon as the Executive Director of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. McLendon assumes the executive role on March 20.

McLendon was appointed by unanimous vote of the GSHF Authority members. In addition to Myers and Leebern, Authority members include Jeff Van Note of Roswell, Wilson Gosier of Decatur, Terry Harvin of Macon, Loran Smith of Athens, and Earl Wright of Augusta.

“Jim McLendon has served in various leadership roles at the Hall for the past four years,” said Leebern. “He brings not only strong business leadership experience but also a heartfelt commitment to the museum and its future.”

Myers added, “We have placed the administrative role of this important museum in good hands.”

McLendon has been the Interim Director of the GSHF for the past year. He also has served as Operations Director and Development Director. He joined the GSHF as the Auction Coordinator, assisting with the ticket and sponsorship sales for the 2013 and 2014 Halluva Auction.

“It is an honor and a privileged to preserve this important history of Georgia sports and to ensure that Georgians, as well as visitors, have the opportunity to learn of these extraordinary individuals,” said McLendon.

Prior his work with the GSHF, McLendon had a distinguished 40-year career in the business arena. From 1998-2011, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Cox Media. He was responsible for all operations involving sales, production, the business office, and human resources for the advertising division.

The native Georgian began his career in Middle Georgia in 1972 as a Sales Associate of WMAZ/WAYS Radio, steadily progressing through the ranks of the company, including Local Sales Manager of 99 WAYS, General Sales Manager of WMAZ/WAYS, and Vice President and General Manager. From 1995 to 1997, he served as the Managing Partner of the radio stations.