2025 SMDO PROGRAM
Honorees
Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
Dr. Anthony Smith, Clayton County Public Schools
John Wieland, John Wieland Homes
Kathryn Powers, MARTA Board
Bill Edwards, Community Advocate
Mercedes Miller, ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Irvin T. Clark, Southern Crescent Technical College
Opening Session
Cheryl Preheim, 11 Alive WXIA
Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commission
Terreta Rodgers, Amazon Atlanta Region
Trailblazer Award presented to Kathryn Powers, MARTA Board
Real Estate Development Award presented to John Wieland, Founder of Wieland Homes
Session I: Navigating Economic Growth: Finance & Business Strategies for Development in South Metro
Moderated by Sharon Subadan, City of South Fulton
Panelists: Leonte Benton, T. Dallas Smith & Co | Ben Young, Georgia Trend | Roger C. Tutterow, Ph.D., Kennesaw State University
Excellence in Education & Global Workforce Development Award presented to Irvin T. Clark, President, Southern Crescent Technical College | Joy Roadfox, CEO & President, Rohadfox Construction Control Services Corporation
Excellence in Education & Global Workforce Development Award presented to Irvin T. Clark, President,
Southern Crescent Technical College
Session II: Driving the Future: EV, AI, and Technology Innovations Shaping South Metro’s Tomorrow
Panelists: Riley Blount, AT&T | Debra Lam, Partnership for Inclusive Innovation | Gerald McDowell, ATL Airport CIDs
Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality Award presented to Mercedes Miller, ATL Airport District
Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Session III: Economic Connectivity: The Future of Transportation in the South Metro
Panelists: Jan Lennon, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport | Meg Pirkle, Georgia Department of Transportation | Collie Greenwood, MARTA
Public Service Award presented to Bill Edwards
Session IV: Atlanta Regional Commission Session
Anna Roach, Atlanta Regional Commission
Visionary Leadership in Education Award presented to Dr. Anthony Smith, Superintendent, Clayton County Public Schools
Concurrent Session I: South Metro Economic Development Highlights
Moderated by Evie Hightower, META
Panelists: Sarah-Elizabeth Langford, Development Authority of Fulton County | Breezy Straton, Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership | Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta | Niki Vanderslice, Fayette Development Authority | Sarah Jacobs, Coweta County Development Authority
Concurrent Session II: ARC Flint River Gateway Trails Project
Moderator: Shannon James, Aerotropolis Atlanta
Panelists: Mike Alexander, Atlanta Regional Commission | Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, City of East Point | Landry Merkison, Clayton County Board of Commissioners | Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, City of College Park | Mayor Alan Hallman, City of Hapeville
Lunch Session
Mayor Ed Johnson, City of Fayetteville
South Metro Development Outlook Award presented to Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
Moderated by Melissa Mullinax, HNTB
Panelists: Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell, Henry County | Chairwoman Lorraine Cochran- Johnson, Dekalb County | Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson, Clayton County | Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Cobb County | Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Gwinnett County
Small Business Summit
Arnee’ Harrison, The Collaborative Firm
Montina Young-Fraiser, CIA Media Group
Cassius Butts, Capital Fortitude Business Advisors
Earl Camp, NOW Corp
Ray Pennie, ACE (Access Capital for Entrepreneurs)
Don Hunter, Bank of America
Melvin Coleman, Atlanta Black Chambers
Oz Nesbitt, Speak Up Communications
Roz Lewis, Greater Women’s Business Council
Rob Haralson, Amazon
Dean-Paul Hart, Compac Industries
Adria Marshall, Ecoslay
Jasmine Aimes, Access Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)
Lisa Guadalupe Clarke, ATL Search Group Latinas Rise
Walter Vinson, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Viktor Opara-Amaechi, Georgia Department of Transportation
Tamisha McKenzie, Clayton County Water Authority