ATLANTA – The Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) announced Feb. 23 that Frank Poe, a 38-year convention center veteran from Dallas, was appointed GWCCA executive director.

Poe will assume the reins April 1 at one of the world’s largest convention, sports and entertainment complexes, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.

Poe will take over the executive director position held by Dan Graveline for 33 years. Graveline announced his retirement in late July and retired at the end of 2009.

Prior to accepting the position, Poe was director of the Dallas Convention Center, where he started his career in 1972 as a part-time laborer. He was general manager of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando in 1979 to 1980 and found his way back to Dallas for the next 17 years, holding several leadership positions in the center’s Event Services and Cultural Affairs departments.

The convention center veteran was appointed to the position of executive director of Alabama’s Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in 1997, which he held for seven years until moving back to Dallas in 2004 to assume the director position for the next six years.

“We are extremely pleased to have someone with the credentials, leadership and experience that Frank brings to the Georgia World Congress Authority,” said Bob Prather, GWCCA board chairman. “He is a welcome addition to our strong leadership team,” Prather added.