Abit Massey, president emeritus of the Gainesville-based Georgia Poultry Federation, has been named to a University of Georgia committee searching for a new vice president for government relations.

Tom Landrum, senior vice president for external affairs, will head the committee, which comprises faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni.

The committee will conduct the national search to find a successor to Steve Wrigley, who left the university to serve as executive vice chancellor for administration for the University System of Georgia.

Griff Doyle is serving as interim vice president for government relations.

The position has become "increasingly critical" as UGA's "relationships with our local, state and federal legislative delegations have been important to the successes we have enjoyed," said UGA President Michael F. Adams.