2007 Year in Review

Leadership DeKalb Celebrated Many Successes in 2007!

From September 2006 through August 2007, David Campbell ’03, a regulatory affairs representative at Georgia Power, served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Leadership DeKalb. David proved to be a valuable advisor to Leadership DeKalb and a strong leader to our membership. David represented the Board of Directors at Leadership DeKalb functions and also made a concerted effort to attend Youth Leadership DeKalb programs where his presence was a strong motivator to our young members. Throughout the years, Leadership DeKalb has recognized the importance of sustainability and understanding the organization’s impact upon the environment. In mid-2007, Leadership DeKalb formally adopted the theme “The Triple Bottom Line” and committed to steering the organization towards becoming a sustainable business: economically, socially and environmentally. Strategies include minimizing waste from program days and events, utilizing alternative types of transportation and educating members on ways they can impact the “Triple Bottom Line” and reduce their ecological footprint. This is a work in progress and Leadership DeKalb’s Board and staff are committed to continuing this effort for many years to come. The following are some highlights of Leadership DeKalb alumni events and opportunities for community service and connecting.

JANUARY

During the MLK Jr. Holiday weekend of January 13-15, many Leadership DeKalb members joined Decatur Rotary members and other community organizations and schools to complete service projects which assisted Decatur seniors. The project was initiated by the Decatur Preservation Alliance under the leadership of Robert Soens ’07. LeeAnn Harvey ’05 coordinated over 700 volunteers who worked on 12 homes during the three-day weekend. About 30 volunteers were Leadership DeKalb members and many of those were also Decatur Rotary members. Special thanks also to Mark Burnette ’94 for helping lead this annual event.

FEBRUARY

Leadership DeKalb held its first Open House for Prospective Members on February 7 at the exciting new Women’s Center at DeKalb Medical. Several graduates joined their nominees at the event which featured a networking reception hosted by the hospital and a distinguished panel of speakers. Former State Senator Steen Miles ’02 moderated the panel comprised of Judge Greg Adams ’90; Charlene Fang ’04, Chair of the Leadership DeKalb Selection Committee and VP of Touchstone Bank; John Hewitt ’05, COO of ACE III Communications; Gwen Keyes Fleming ’99, DeKalb District Attorney; and Richard Stogner, Executive Assistant of DeKalb County Government.

Board of Directors Chair David Campbell ’03 and Open House host Eric Norwood ’04, CEO of DeKalb Medical, welcomed the impressive group of prospective members and shared the benefits of Leadership DeKalb’s excellent community leadership training program. The Open House greatly contributed to an increase in applications received resulting in the largest class ever being accepted.

MARCH

Over 100 guests attended our Eggs & Issues Breakfast to hear Dr. Crawford Lewis ‘94, Superintendent of the DeKalb County School System, and Dr. Phyllis Edwards, Superintendent of the City of Decatur School System, discuss the important financial issues facing our school systems.

Both emphasized that the special election to renew the educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) would be pivotal to addressing critical capital improvements. Voters agreed on March 20th and the one-penny sales tax will be collected for another five years. It is expected that as much as $645 million will be raised to benefit DeKalb County schools, City Schools of Decatur and the City of Atlanta Schools that lie within DeKalb County.

APRIL

Leadership DeKalb hosted a Rush Hour Happy Hour at newly-opened Ted’s Montana Grill in Decatur. Members braved a wet evening to join us for great food, refreshing drinks and excellent company.

MAY

“Golf With A Purpose”was the theme of Leadership DeKalb’s Golf Classic at East Lake Golf Club. Participants experienced golf on the home course of golfing legend Bobby Jones and the site of the Tour Championship. Proceeds benefited Youth Leadership DeKalb (YLD). Legacy Communities, our tournament sponsor for the third year, became the largest single sponsor of YLD. We thank Legacy for their continued support and all the other corporate sponsors of this fun event!

Jason Conn ’01, Alan Dishman ’05, Mark Treese ’08 and Steve German earned first place net at the 2007 Leadership DeKalb Golf Tournament. Eric Greenwood ’06, Wes Ward, Abdus Rafoof and William Fuller representing AGL Resources won the prize for first place gross. In addition to the winning teams, Morris Williams ’02 won the Closest to the Hole contest on hole 6 and Chuck Johnson II won the Longest Drive contest on the 14th hole.

JULY

A merry band of 11 people from Leadership DeKalb and Decatur Rotary participated in the 2007 Costa Rica Service Trip, July 28-August 3! Participating from Leadership DeKalb were Sara Fountain ’92, Susan Hood ‘07, Uche Egemonye ’07, Betty Willis ’97, Beth Vann ’03, and Mark Burnette ’94.

The group assisted in school improvement projects at three schools as well as reading and other activities with the school children. H.G. “Pat” Patillo provided free lodging and breakfast at his beautiful resort Hacienda Pinilla. In their free time, the group enjoyed the beach, a canopy tour and an authentic rodeo with participants in native dress.

AUGUST

Emory University hosted the Annual Meeting and Class of 2008 Orientation on August 30 at the Miller-Ward Alumni House. Members celebrated the year’s successes with outgoing Board Chair David Campbell ’03 and welcomed incoming Chair Eric Norwood ’04,CEO of DeKalb Medical. Members approved the following officers: Ken Jones ’00, Chair Elect; Walt Bryde ’97, Treasurer; Caroline Moise’01, Secretary. New directors named were Julie Ralston ’91, Arnie Silverman ’07 and Charles Yorke ’07. The Board presented plaques to outgoing Directors, Alicia Franck ’03; Jonathan Shils ’02; and Steen Miles ’02.

Judge Gregory A. Adams ’90 received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his leadership in transforming the DeKalb County Juvenile Court system with a focus on rehabilitation. Roberta Morris ’07, Director of DeKalb’s Workforce Development Office, received the Sue Ellen Owens Leadership Awardin recognition of her efforts to launch the new “School is My First Job” program aimed at keeping students in school and building a greater DeKalb workforce.

SEPTEMBER

The Class of 2008, the largest ever with 53 members, began their program at Amicalola Falls at the Opening Retreat with distinguished speakers including Bob and Lyn Turknett of the Turknett Leadership Group, John Horton of Collier Brown, Polly Sattler of Sustainable Business Partners and Judge Nelly Withers.

OCTOBER

Over 60 members and community representatives attended Community Leadership through Board Service: A Board Best Practices Workshop on October 23 at the DeKalb Medical Women’s Center. Nationally-known nonprofit consultant Terri Theisen highlighted how nonprofit board members can be most effective. The workshop was sponsored in part by DeKalb County Community Development to build social capital. Because of the success of this workshop, Leadership DeKalb will host three other workshops on board service in 2008.

Also in October, Leadership DeKalb, DeKalb County Juvenile Court, the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, the DeKalb Bar Association and the DeKalb County Department of Family and Children Services hosted a ceremony to present college scholarships to three former foster children who once stood before Judge Robin S. Nash ’95 in juvenile court. The scholarships were established to honor the memory of the former chief presiding judge of DeKalb County Juvenile Court who died in January 2007. After his death, the scholarship was created in his name to help foster care children transition into adulthood by assisting them with college expenses.

NOVEMBER

Leadership DeKalb hosted its 2007 Annual Reunion at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in late November. Members enjoyed the Callanwolde Poinsettia specialty drink as they listened to the musical stylings of “Crosstown Jazz.” Some competition ensued at the Silent Auction for a three-night stay in a mountain cabin (donated by Julie Ralston ’91) and a wine dinner for six at Murphy’s in Virginia Highland. Anil Lewis ’04 received a National Community Leadership Awardfor his work with the National Federation for the Blind. The class liaisons did a fantastic job collecting Member Milestones and it was interesting reading about our alumni and their achievements and activities in the Reunion program.

DECEMBER

As we brought 2007 to a close, we were reminded of the importance of our members and sponsors to our mission. We give special thanks to all of you for helping us make the connections to create a positive influence in our community. Please see the names of the volunteers and sponsors in this Directory. If we have inadvertently omitted any names, please notify us.

Leadership DeKalb would like to extend our continued appreciation to photographer extraordinaire Arthur Ratliff ’99 for contributing so many photos to this Directory and to the events of the year. We also thank Beth Jansa ’01 and Sara Fountain ’92 for their photos and those donated by other members.

We encourage all of you to join us to make 2008 even more successful for all of us!