Steve Wrigley, a top official within the University System of Georgia, will become its chancellor in 2017.

Wrigley was scheduled to become interim chancellor on Jan. 1, but the system’s governing Board of Regents voted Wednesday to name Wrigley to the top job. Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced in August that he planned to retire at the end of the year.

Wrigley has worked for the system since 2011 after holding a variety of positions in higher education and Georgia state government since 1988. He now holds the position of executive vice chancellor for administration.

Philip Wilheit Sr., a Gainesville businessman who has served on the university system Board of Regents since 2011, previously called Wrigley a smart choice for the interim chancellor role.

“Steve has been there from the beginning with Hank,” Wilheit said in August when Huckaby announced his retirement. “He’s up to speed. It’ll be a totally seamless transition.”