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ATLANTA, GA (January 25, 2017) -- Georgia Bio has announced that Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle has been selected as the 2017 Lawmaker of the Year for his support of the life sciences industry and university research in Georgia during the 2016 General Assembly.

Mr. Cagle is being recognized for his leadership in economic growth, innovation, education and workforce development. Mr. Cagle continues to champion legislation to support growth of innovative companies in biosciences and other sectors via programs like Invest Georgia, and he has collaborated with the Georgia BioEd Institute on STEM education and workforce development programs.

“Lieutenant Governor Cagle recognizes the importance of medical technology and life sciences to the future of our state. He is a leading advocate for improving education and positioning Georgia as one of the strongest states in the nation for innovation jobs,” said Russell Allen, president and CEO of Georgia Bio.

Lieutenant Governor Cagle will be honored at the Georgia Bio Annual Awards Dinner, January 26, 6 pm to 9 pm, at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North. Other leading companies, executives, researchers and dedicated individuals will receive Georgia Bio Awards. Learn more and register at www.gabio.org/awards.

Biography of Awardee

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle 

A successful entrepreneur and respected former State Senator, Casey Cagle made history in 2006 by becoming the first Republican elected to Georgia’s second highest office.  In November of 2010 and 2014, in recognition of his outstanding efforts on behalf of the state his family has called home for seven generations, Georgia voters overwhelmingly re-elected Lieutenant Governor Cagle.

After a leg injury ended his dreams of playing college football, Casey returned to Gainesville in 1986 and became the proprietor of his first small business, a tuxedo rental company. At just twenty years old, Casey began realizing the American dream as his business expanded throughout North Georgia. After founding Southern Heritage Bank in 1999 and earning his reputation as a community and business leader in Gainesville, Casey focused his efforts on serving the citizens of Georgia.

In 1994, he was elected the youngest state Senator at just 28 years old, and was overwhelmingly reelected five times. In the Senate, Casey rapidly established himself as a capable and effective lawmaker. He was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of Science and Technology, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee and Natural Resources Committee. Casey’s ability to build consensus made him a successful leader in lowering taxes, protecting private property rights, and standing up for Georgia’s families.

In 2006, Casey Cagle became Georgia’s 11th Lieutenant Governor. As the first ever Republican in Georgia to serve in that office, Casey focused his conservative principles to help make Georgia a place where businesses could grow and families could prosper. Championing the Charter Systems Act, Casey improved education in our state while providing a path to career technical education for Georgia’s high school students.

Additionally, he launched the Georgia College and Career Academy Network, a partnership between local community leaders, school systems, and Georgia’s technical colleges.  The college and career academies provide a relevant and rigorous curriculum aimed at preparing students for a highly skilled, 21st-Century economy upon graduation.  Thanks to Casey’s leadership, Georgia has 37 College and Career Academies today with additional academies planned each year.

An avid triathlete, Casey leads Healthy Kids Georgia, an effort to encourage local partnerships that introduce children to healthy lifestyle options.  Under the slogan of “Be Fit.  Be Healthy. Be You.” the initiative helps acquaint children with ways to improve their health and wellness.  Working together, local communities are beginning to stem the tide of childhood obesity in ways that are proven to increase academic achievement and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Notwithstanding his many accomplishments in private and public life, Casey is most proud to be a husband, father and grandfather.  He has been married to Nita, his high school sweetheart, for 30 years and they are the proud parents of three sons – Jared and his wife Kaylan, Grant and his way Meghan, and Carter – and grandparents of a beautiful granddaughter – Everette Grace.  They live in Flowery Branch and are active members of Blackshear Place Baptist Church.

For a list of past Georgia Bio award recipients, click here.

Georgia Bio (www.gabio.org) is the state’s life science industry association whose members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.