John Hulsey, a faculty member at the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, has been honored with a 2023 Walter Barnard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach. Hulsey was recognized at the 32nd annual Public Service and Outreach Meeting and Awards Luncheon during UGA Honors Week.

The Hill Award recognizes faculty and service professionals for their outstanding contributions to the improvement of the quality of life in Georgia. Hulsey, a public service associate at the Institute of Government, provides financial management training for state and local government officials and personnel and is known for his ability to relate complicated financial practices in an accessible way. The trainings Hulsey leads equip Georgia’s leaders with both the technical and leadership skills needed to be successful in public finance.

Photo: (L-R) Jennifer L. Frum, Vice President for University of Georgia Public Service and Outreach; Jere W. Morehead, President for University of Georgia; John Hulsey, Faculty for University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Rob Gordon, Director for University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government; S. Jack Hu, Senior Vice President for University of Georgia Academic Affairs and Provost  (Photo by Shannah Montgomery)

(L-R) Jennifer L. Frum, Vice President for University of Georgia Public Service and Outreach; Jere W. Morehead, President for University of Georgia; John Hulsey, Faculty for University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Rob Gordon, Director for University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government; S. Jack Hu, Senior Vice President for University of Georgia Academic Affairs and Provost  (Photo by Shannah Montgomery)

Before joining the Institute of Government, Hulsey had a 17-year career with the Jackson County Board of Commissioners where he became the county’s first finance director. He credits this experience in public finance for his success now as a trainer.

“I’m passionate about public finance, government accounting and financial reporting,” Hulsey explained. “But seeing my students graduate from our certificate programs is the most rewarding experience. You know then that you are truly improving the lives of all the people who live in those communities.”

Hulsey notes that he has been a student in the Institute of Government’s Local Financial Certificate program and understands the student experience. Students laud Hulsey’s ability to train and connect with people regardless of experience or skill level.

“John’s work, imparting of financial knowledge to county commissioners, and the corresponding judgment by commissioners to make sound financial policy decisions is crucial to the success of each respective county,” said Dave Willis, executive director of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. “Undoubtedly, some commissioners have other life experiences that equipped them to make wise financial decisions, but through my experience as a commissioner and as a staff member of ACCG, I know that many commissioners are not as fortunate. For them, John is literally a godsend.”

Since joining the Institute of Government, Hulsey has provided financial management training to more than 3,000 newly-elected officials.

“I pride myself on being able to get every student where they need to be, regardless of who they are or their background,” Hulsey said. “I can explain concepts and real-life application of those concepts to my students because I’ve been in their shoes.”

He regularly trains professional government staff and considers the creation of the Public Finance Leadership Academy (PFLA) in collaboration with the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association his crowning achievement at the Institute of Government.

“It is the first cohort-based program that we have in the financial management training program,” Hulsey said. “And the curriculum was specifically designed to meet the needs of people in leadership positions in finance departments of local governments. Governmental accounting is extremely complex and continues to change, so offering a training that incorporates both the technical and soft skills needed to lead a local finance department is crucial for the state.”

Hulsey said he feels both honored and humbled to have received the Hill Award, but insisted there is no reward more fulfilling than seeing his students grasp difficult concepts and help their communities.

“The Hill award is really a testament to the institute’s core values: excellence, innovation, and public service,” he said. “And I am extremely honored to be recognized by my colleagues for the work I have done and continue to do to further our mission of public service and outreach.”

The Hill Award is named in honor of Chancellor Walter Barnard Hill, who led UGA from 1899 until his death in 1905 and first articulated the university’s modern public service and outreach mission. Hill Award winners receive a medallion and a framed certificate and become eligible for the Walter Barnard Hill Fellow Award, UGA’s highest award in public service and outreach.

View more information about PSO’s amazing award winners and their unique work.