The History of Georgia FBLA
Information obtained from National and State FBLA Websites.

The beginning of Future Business Leaders of America in Georgia started in Hapeville High School in Fulton County, Georgia on December 3, 1947. The chapter, organized under the direction of Mrs. Catharine Merrill, was chartered by the National Organization as Chapter No. 83.

Georgia, the fourth State Chapter to be chartered, received its State Charter in 1949. Mrs. Zeb Vance of Mercer University, Macon, served as Georgia's first state adviser. Georgia has had twelve state advisers: Mrs. Zeb Vance, Miss Mary Ellen Smith, Miss Sarah Head, Dr. Zenobia Liles, Dr. Jerry Kicklighter, Mrs. Helen Cofer McClain, Mr. Terry Smith, Mrs. Mandy Allen, Mr. Jeff Chandler, Mrs. Sylvia Logan, and Ms. Brenda Woodruff.  The current state adviser is Mr. Monty Rhodes.

Dr. Russell Mercer was the first Georgia State President. While serving as president, he was a student at Georgia Teachers' College, now Georgia Southern University, in Statesboro. Dr. Mercer is the retired State Supervisor of Business and Office Education.

The Business and Office Education Service of the Georgia Department of Education assumed the responsibility of Georgia FBLA in July, 1960. Georgia FBLA is organized on three levels:

  1. Local--consisting of the local chapter and its members

  2. Region--a grouping of chapters within a limited geographic territory

  3. State--all local chapters and regions

The governing body of Georgia FBLA is the Board of Directors. The Georgia Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. operates as a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization governed by a board of directors consisting of twelve members. The members will be composed of two business representatives (appointed), five elected advisers representing eleven regions, and five elected at-large advisers.

Georgia FBLA will have an elected executive council. The council consists of the state chapter president, eleven regional vice-presidents, secretary-treasurer, reporter, and parliamentarian, along with their advisers, the State adviser, Mr. Monty Rhodes, and the state director of Business and Computer Science, Ms. Sarah Heath.

Georgia is currently the largest state chapter in the nation with over 20,000 members.

Georgia FBLA's Goals

  • Promote competent, assertive business leadership
  • Strengthen confidence of students in themselves and their work
  • Create interest in and understanding of individual projects to improve home, business and community
  • Facilitate the transition from school to work
  • Assist students in the establishment of career goals
  • Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty
  • Encourage and practice sound financial management
  • Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism