Conner Poe has been at the helm of the Outdoor Association of Georgia (OAAG) for nearly a decade, and now he’s found his next challenge. Poe has accepted the position of Resident Vice President of Government Affairs with Norfolk Southern Railway. Poe became President and CEO of OAAG in September 2007.
He says he’s proud of his time spent at OAAG because several pro active measures were passed in that time. Those measures focused on transit advertising, relocation of signs, and a huge overhaul of the highway vegetation program in 2011. Poe says he thinks his biggest accomplishment was changing the image of the outdoor advertising industry in the state of Georgia. “Outdoor advertisers in our state are now seen as a community partner,” Poe said. “We answer the call when law enforcement, GDOT, and emergency management needs us. Our assists are a vital tool for these folks if and when a community emergency occurs.” Poe is referring to a public/private partnership that allows digital billboards to broadcast information in real time. The high tech system was most recently used to alert motorists to weather warnings when snow and ice threatened Atlanta and areas to the north last week.
Poe says he passed on several other opportunities during his time with OAAG, but the timing for this one just felt right. “I cherished my time with OAAG and the life long friends I will take from it. I would never have had the opportunity that I am moving into now without the support and backing of those in the Outdoor Advertising Industry.
This is Poe’s last week with the OAAG. Congratulations on your new position and best wishes with Norfolk Southern!