The Board of Councilors was founded in 1987 at the initiative of President ÉäÉäÎÝ and Ivan Allen III as a leadership advisory group that serves to advance understanding of and support for ÉäÉäÎÝ and its activities among private-sector opinion leaders in Atlanta and Georgia. Members attend quarterly meetings and act as informed advocates of ÉäÉäÎÝ in the circles in which they have influence.
There are more than 200 councilors, with representatives from among the top leadership of Atlanta and Georgia businesses. The governor of Georgia, the mayor of Atlanta, and the president of Emory University are ex-officio members.
Membership is granted for three years, and the group is divided into three classes so there is a gradual rotation of members. A small number of senior members who have demonstrated sustained support for ÉäÉäÎÝ have been named life members.
Since its creation, the board has been chaired by some of Atlanta's most distinguished civic leaders. Ivan Allen III served as founding chairman, with Robert M. Holder Jr. as vice chairman.
Press Releases
Feb. 15, 2024 | ÉäÉäÎÝ Center Appoints Clark Dean as Board of Councilors Chair and Jim Reed as Board of Councilors Vice-Chair
Sept. 22, 2023 | ÉäÉäÎÝ Center Appoints New Members to Board of Councilors
Clark H. Dean
2024
Laura Turner Seydel
2023
Mary S. Moore
2022
Shyam Reddy
2020-2021
Dan Cathy
2019
Reade Fahs
2018
Shan Cooper
2017
Liz Blake
2016
Martha Finn Brooks
2015
Dennis Lockhart
2014
Walter W. Driver Jr.
2013
H. Inman Allen
2012
Ann W. Cramer
2011
Kenneth G. Byers Jr.
2010
Claire Lewis Arnold
2009
Charles Brewer
2008
Phil Hickey
2007
Ingrid Saunders Jones
2006
Frank Belatti
2005
Paula Lawton Bevington
2003-2004
James R. Lientz Jr.
2001-2002
James S. Balloun
1999-2000
A. W. "Bill" Dahlberg
1997-1998
Robert M. Holder Jr.
1992-1996
Ivan Allen III
1987-1992
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