AUGUSTA MAYOR BOB YOUNG NAMED HUD ATLANTA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

ATLANTA - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced that Augusta Mayor Bob Young has been named the Atlanta Regional Director for HUD's Region IV.

In this position, Mr. Young will serve as HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders and customers in Region IV which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He will oversee the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities, and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. Mr. Young is one of ten regional directors in the U.S.

"Bob's years of public service, leadership skills and private-sector business experience will be a great asset to us
at HUD. He is truly the best person to help us increase homeownership in America's communities, create more affordable housing opportunities and promote economic and community development. We are extremely fortunate
to have Bob joining our team," said Jackson.

Since 1999, Young has held the position as Mayor of the consolidated government of Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2000 and 2004 and also served as a
Presidential Elector for then-governor George W. Bush. One of Mr. Young's many notable accomplishments was his leadership of a campaign that raised more than $1 million for the victims of terrorism in 2001. In 1999 and 2003, Georgia Trend Magazine chose Mayor Young as one of The Most Influential Georgians. President George W. Bush appointed Mayor Young to represent the nation's mayors on the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, where
he chairs the Preservation Initiatives Committee.

Before becoming mayor, Young was news anchor and assistant news director for WJBF-TV in Augusta, Georgia. He joined WJBF in 1985 after 13 years as news director and reporter for WBBQ Radio in Augusta. He served four years
in the U. S. Air Force, also serving in the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam where he was twice awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Young, a native of Thomson, Georgia, attended Wofford College and Augusta State University. He is married to
Gwen Fulcher Young.

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