John Sillay Appointed as President of the Young Harris College Alumni Board of Directors
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — John Sillay, Class of 1975, has been appointed as President of the Alumni Board of Directors at Young Harris College. A longtime member of the College community, Sillay began his service as president on April 1 and will serve for two years.
After graduating from Young Harris College in 1975, Sillay earned a degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University. As a middle school teacher in Fulton County, he spent several years investing in the education of underprivileged children in the Atlanta area. During this time, he met his wife Sandy and they married shortly thereafter.
In 1981, Sillay accepted a position as a Corporate Recruiter with the John Harland Company in Atlanta and recruited salespersons to market check services to banks at a national level. In 1983, he joined Bank South as an Employment Manager, where he built out an investment division recruiting salespersons and traders, eventually recruiting himself into a sales position. Sillay quickly realized that he was destined for this career, rising in the sales ranks at three different banks before joining Morgan Keegan and Company in 1993.
During his time at Morgan Keegan and Company, Sillay developed a platform to service banks’ investment portfolio needs. The business grew rapidly, and by 2000, he was named Managing Director in the Fixed Income Capital Markets Division, where he led efforts in Atlanta for years. Morgan Keegan and Company was acquired by Regions Bank in 2001, and by Raymond James and Associates in 2012.
Today, Sillay marks 28 years at Raymond James. Although he has stepped away from management responsibilities, he continues to advise community banks on interest rate risks and portfolio management.
Sillay and his wife, Sandy, live in Blue Ridge, Ga., and regularly entertain their six grandchildren. Not far from the Enchanted Valley, he continues to engage with the campus community.
“I am very excited to have John as the Alumni Association President and an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees,” said College President, Dr. Drew Van Horn. “John possesses great insights and a deep love for YHC.”
John Sillay succeeds Jane Roberts, Class of 1970, as President of the Alumni Board of Directors.
Young Harris College is pleased to have a long legacy of devoted alumni who represent the community fostered by education. John Sillay’s nomination and appointment as President of the Alumni Board demonstrates his commitment to the education, inspiration, and empowerment of students.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science and Technology; and Professional Studies. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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