SR 967: Arnold, Claire Lewis "Yum"; honor

Senate Resolution 967

By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Kemp of the 38th, McLaurin of the 14th and Howard of the 35th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring Claire Lewis "Yum" Arnold for her visionary leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, and distinguished contributions to business, philanthropy, and civic life; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Claire Lewis "Yum" Arnold is the co-founder and CEO of Leapfrog, established in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Yum Arnold brings extensive experience in high-growth business development and long-range strategic planning, and demonstrates a deep commitment to enabling organizations to securely and effectively fulfill their missions through highly serviced technology; and

WHEREAS, prior to founding Leapfrog, Yum Arnold acquired a local consumer goods distributor through a leveraged buyout and, over the course of 15 years, built the company into one of Georgia's five largest privately held companies, expanding it from a single-warehouse distributor into a diversified corporation with nine operating divisions; and

WHEREAS, as CEO, Yum Arnold provided industry leadership by serving on the board of her trade association and as its President and Chair, advancing innovation, professionalism, and growth within the sector; and

WHEREAS, Yum Arnold has demonstrated exceptional civic and philanthropic leadership through extensive board service, including as Chair of Achieve Atlanta, Trustee of Spelman College and the EARTH University Foundation, member of the Governing Board of The Woodruff Arts Center, member of the Emory Brain Health Center Advisory Council, and the Atlanta Committee for Progress; and

WHEREAS, Yum Arnold served for two years as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, following six years of board service, reflecting the high level of trust placed in her judgment, expertise, and leadership; and

WHEREAS, her board leadership further includes service as Chair of the Board of The Georgia Conservancy, Chair of The Carter Center Board of Councilors, past President and past Chair of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and Trustee and former Chair of Mary Baldwin College; and

WHEREAS, Yum Arnold has served on the boards of numerous organizations and institutions, including NYSE-listed companies, Venture Atlanta, Leadership Atlanta, The Tull Foundation, The Westminster Schools, The Shepherd Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, and the Board of Visitors of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business; and

WHEREAS, earlier in her career, Yum Arnold spent nearly a decade with Coca-Cola USA, holding leadership roles in marketing, sales, sales management, and long-range planning, including serving as marketing manager for the company's first plastic beverage containers; and

WHEREAS, Yum Arnold earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Mary Baldwin College and has continued her executive education through advanced studies at Harvard Business School programs for CEOs and YPO members.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body honor and commend Claire Lewis "Yum" Arnold for her visionary leadership, entrepreneurial impact, and sustained contributions to business, education, philanthropy, and civic life.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Claire Lewis "Yum" Arnold.