Every Story Has a Beginning: Here’s Mine
Chapter One of my memoirs: family, faith, a Greenville shoe shop and an early start in radio.
Chancellor Emeritus, East Carolina University
Dr. Cecil P. Staton
Board Director and Advisor in Higher Education, Associations and Public Policy. More than 30 years leading complex organizations as a university chancellor, association CEO, Georgia State Senator and founding CEO of publishing and media companies. I help boards and leadership teams navigate strategy, finances, government relations and change.
- 11th Chancellor, East Carolina University
- Georgia State Senator, 10 years
- President & CEO, AAHOA
- D.Phil., University of Oxford
About Dr. Staton
Dr. Cecil P. Staton is a board director and advisor with more than 30 years of experience leading universities, associations, public bodies and private companies. He served as the 11th Chancellor of East Carolina University from 2016 to 2019, leading a public research university of 29,000 students with an annual budget of approximately $1 billion, and was elected Chancellor Emeritus by its Board of Trustees. From 2019 to 2021 he was President and CEO of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association, guiding its members through the pandemic. He later returned as President and CEO of Smyth & Helwys Publishing, the company he founded in 1990. During nearly a decade in the Georgia State Senate (2005 to 2014), he served two terms as Majority Whip and chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. His board service includes the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission, the American Athletic Conference and U.S. Travel. He holds a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford.
- Higher education11th Chancellor, East Carolina University; Interim President, Valdosta State University; Vice Chancellor, University System of Georgia
- AssociationsPresident & CEO, AAHOA, 2019–2021
- Public serviceGeorgia State Senator, District 18; Majority Whip, two terms
- EntrepreneurshipFounder, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Stroud & Hall Publishers and Georgia Eagle Media
- EducationD.Phil., University of Oxford
Board Service
I have sat on both sides of the boardroom table: as a chief executive reporting to boards of trustees and directors, and as a director on public, nonprofit, association and corporate boards. I am open to new board roles where that experience adds value.
Public finance & oversight
Nearly a decade in the Georgia State Senate (2005–2014), including two terms as Majority Whip. Chaired the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, which oversees Georgia's $2 billion annual investment in public and private higher education, and helped shape a state budget of more than $20 billion a year.
Executive leadership at scale
As Chancellor of East Carolina University I led a 29,000-student research university with a budget of about $1 billion. I launched a $500 million capital campaign, the largest in ECU's history, and the Rural Prosperity Initiative.
Associations & crisis leadership
As President & CEO of AAHOA, the world's largest hotel owners association, I led strategic planning with the Board of Directors and guided members through the COVID-19 pandemic through budget realignment, federal advocacy and a pivot to virtual education.
Entrepreneurship & private companies
I was founding President of Smyth & Helwys Publishing (1990–2013) and served on its board from 1990 to 2024. I also founded Stroud & Hall Publishers and Georgia Eagle Media, which grew to 16 radio stations, a newspaper and a television station.
Selected boards and commissions
- Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission (Georgia Public Broadcasting), appointed by Governor Brian Kemp 2022–2024
- Georgia Trauma Foundation, Board of Directors 2022–2025
- Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., Board of Directors 1990–2024
- U.S. Travel Association, Board of Directors 2019–2021
- California Hotel & Lodging Association, Board of Directors 2019–2021
- Center for Hospitality Research Advisory Board, Cornell University 2019–2021
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Board of Directors 2018–2019
- VECU Medical Group, Inc., Board of Directors (merger of ECU Brody School of Medicine and Vidant Medical Group practice plans) 2016–2019
- American Athletic Conference, Board of Directors & Executive Committee 2016–2019
- ECU Foundation, ECU Health Sciences Foundation & ECU Educational Foundation, Boards of Directors 2016–2019
- Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors 2016–2019
- Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors 2015–2016
- University of Georgia, Board of Visitors 2013–2016
- Museum of Arts and Sciences, Macon, Board of Directors & Executive Committee 2001–2008
- Macon Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors & Endowment Campaign Steering Committee 2000–2005
- Georgia Writers, Board of Directors 2000–2002
Georgia State Senate leadership and committee roles
- Majority Whip, two terms
- Vice-Chair of the Caucus
- Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education
- Chair, Science and Technology Committee
- Vice-Chair, Transportation Committee
- Vice-Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health
- Member, Committee on Assignments, which appoints committee chairs and members
- Member, Appropriations, Rules, Higher Education, Banking, Regulated Industries, Reapportionment, and Veterans and Military Affairs committees
Consulting & Interim Leadership
I advise universities, associations, companies and public bodies, and I am available for interim executive roles.
Interim presidency or chancellorship
I have done this before. As Interim President of Valdosta State University I balanced the budget with $4.4 million in reductions, raised more than $17 million for the capital campaign, and launched a branding campaign after which applications rose 60 percent.
Board & executive advising
Strategic planning and visioning with boards, executive searches, budget realignment, and leadership coaching for presidents, chancellors and CEOs.
Government relations & advocacy
State and federal strategy drawn from nearly a decade as a legislator and appropriations chair, and from leading national advocacy on the CARES Act and PPP for the hotel industry.
Advancement & capital campaigns
Campaign planning and major-gift strategy. At ECU, more than $230 million was committed during the first two and a half years of the quiet phase.
Branding, enrollment & growth
Marketing and enrollment strategy, internationalization, honors and online-learning expansion, and partnerships with K–12 and industry.
Healthcare workforce & rural prosperity
Policy and partnership experience from sponsoring Georgia's trauma-care legislation, securing more than $200 million for medical education, and launching ECU's Rural Prosperity Initiative with SAS.
Speaking
I speak to higher education administrators, faculty, boards, associations and business audiences. Recent topics include:
Leading higher education through disruption
Demographics, constrained finances, technology, fading public confidence, and why the mission still matters.
Freedom of expression & academic freedom
Protecting open inquiry and civil discourse on campus.
Internationalization
Lessons from serving as Chief International Officer of the University System of Georgia and on the NAFSA board.
Branding & marketing universities
From the Valdosta State and ECU campaigns that raised visibility and applications.
Career Highlights
- 2021 – 2024President & CEO, Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc.
Returned to guide the company through its transition to new ownership. - 2019 – 2021President & CEO, AAHOA
Led the world's largest hotel owners association, based in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., through the pandemic. Online education reached more than 70,000 people. - 2016 – 201911th Chancellor, East Carolina University
Launched ECU's largest-ever capital campaign and the Rural Prosperity Initiative, and led major capital projects including a new $122 million student union. Elected Chancellor Emeritus by the Board of Trustees. - 2015 – 2016Interim President, Valdosta State University
- 2014 – 2016Vice Chancellor for Extended Education, University System of Georgia
Chief International Officer for 26 institutions. Led creation of the Georgia Film Academy. - 2005 – 2014Georgia State Senator, District 18
Majority Whip for two terms and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. - 1990 – 2013Founder & CEO, publishing and media companies
Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Stroud & Hall Publishers (two New York Times bestsellers by Zell Miller), and Georgia Eagle Media. - 1991 – 2003Associate Provost, Associate Professor & University Publisher, Mercer University
Education
D.Phil., University of Oxford (1988)
Th.M. (1985) and M.Div. with Languages (1982), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
B.A., Furman University (1980)
Honorary Doctor of Humanities, Mercer University (2014)
Certificate, AASCU New Presidents Academy (2015)
Selected honors
Miller-Deal Award, Georgia Independent College Association (2014)
Georgia Hospital Association Legislator of the Year (2011)
Emory University Center for Injury Control Award (2013)
Inaugural Richard B. Furman Award, Furman University (2000)
What Others Say
“Cecil Staton served ECU with distinction, dedication and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. His and Catherine's departure was a tremendous loss for our great University. In recognition of his impactful leadership, ECU's Board of Trustees elected Dr. Staton Chancellor Emeritus at our last meeting together, and we reflected upon the lost opportunity of his departure.”
“During his tenure as Interim President at Valdosta State University, Cecil Staton did a remarkable job of quickly assessing the university’s budget challenges and took informed and decisive action that streamlined operations and resulted in immediate improvement of the university’s fiscal health. In addition, Cecil was able to forge meaningful relationships with key donors and alumni and played a significant role in closing several six-figure and multiple seven-figure gifts as part of the capital campaign.”
In the Media
Interviews and appearances from my work in the Georgia State Senate and as President & CEO of AAHOA.
“Senator Cecil Staton on Higher Education in Georgia” · Cecil Staton (YouTube) · October 2011 · Watch on YouTube
“AAHOA President & CEO Cecil P. Staton on Fox Business Network, Cavuto Coast to Coast” · AAHOA · March 2020 · Watch on YouTube
“Teague Talks...with Cecil P. Staton, President & CEO of AAHOA” · Teague Talks · May 2020 · Watch on YouTube
“AAHOA' Cecil Staton and I discuss what to do next” · No Vacancy News · March 2020 · Watch on YouTube
“41NBC/WMGT - Senator Cecil Staton Interview - 1.7.14” · 41NBC · January 2014 · Watch on YouTube
Writing
I'm writing a memoir about a journey from a Greenville, South Carolina shoe shop to Oxford and beyond. I also write commentary on higher education and leadership.
From the Shoe Shop to the Hallowed Halls of Oxford: Accomplishing the Unexpected
Chapter Two: the Furman and Southeastern Seminary years and the road to Oxford.
Contact Dr. Staton
For board opportunities, consulting, interim leadership or speaking invitations, please get in touch.