HUD Addresses Community Development Opportunities with 2018 Leadership Atlanta Class

From left to right: Vaughn Irons '16, CEO APD Solutions; Frankie Atwater Sr., Director, Dept Housing and Community Development, Fulton County, Michael German '91, GA Field Office Director, HUD and Che Watkins '09, President & CEO, The Center for Working Families.

Recently, Leadership Atlanta hosted the Class of 2018 Economic and Community Development Day in the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Business where HUD Georgia Field Office Director, Michael German '91, participated in the Community Development Panel with Frankie Atwater Sr. Director, Department of Housing and Community Development, Fulton County and Che Watkins, President, and CEO, The Center for Working Families with nearly 100 other Leadership Atlanta senior business and community leaders in attendance.

Leadership Atlanta (www.leadershipatlanta.org/LeadershipAtlanta) is a nine-month, executive-level informational exchange series which selects approximately 80 established leaders each year to represent a broad cross-section of metro Atlanta. Through retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, discussion groups and community tours, members explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders and build relationships of trust and mutual understanding.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to provide insight about HUD's programs and efforts regarding community development as part of Leadership Atlanta's prestigious leadership development experience for executive business and community leaders," said German.

Kicking off the day was the welcome provided by Eloisa Klementich '17, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta (www.investatlanta.com/) and Wendall Dallas '10, Vice President, Operations - Atlanta Gas Light, Southern Company. Following the welcome and Jennifer Zeller, Manager, Strategic Solutions Team, Georgia Power Community and Economic Development addressed Growing Georgia Together followed by the Economic Development Panel.

Later in the day targeted discussions were held concerning Atlanta's Airport City, Midtown's Growth - challenges and opportunities and development along Westside Beltline to name a few. The day concluded with a presentation and discussion by Egbert Perry '87, Chairman and CEO, The Integral Group on the Atlanta Community of Tomorrow with closing remarks by Ken Ashley '14.

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