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Thursday, June 12, 2008
National Museum of Patriotism to move from Midtown to downtown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A unique Atlanta attraction — the National Museum of Patriotism — is moving from its Midtown location on Spring Street to a prime downtown location.
The museum has reached an agreement with Legacy Partners and Richard Bowers & Co. to occupy space at the 275 Baker St. N.W. building near several other key attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, the new World of Coca-Cola and CNN Center.
The museum will occupy part of the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn right in the middle of Atlanta’s emerging tourism district. The museum is expected to open later this fall.
The founder and president of the museum Nick Snider, a retired senior vice president of UPS and a former commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. The museum has been trying to relocate downtown for years to increase tourism traffic to its attraction.
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AGL’s Somerhalder enthusiastic about campaign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Somerhalder, CEO of AGL Resources, is jumping on Atlanta’s United Way leadership train by agreeing to run the time-consuming campaign in 2009.
“I have been a supporter of United Way, starting in Houston with El Paso Corp., for a number of years,” Somerhalder wrote to me in an email confirming that he had agreed on the leadership role. “The Atlanta United Way is very well run as well in my opinion. I think it is one of the most important things we can do each year, individually and importantly as a company and a group of employees.”
AGL leaders have a tradition of supporting United Way. The former CEO, Paula Rosput Reynolds, chaired the campaign in 2002 and served as board chair from mid-2005 to mid-2006. Reynolds moved to Seattle during her tenure as board chair to become CEO of Safeco insurance company.
Somerhalder, who was named AGL’s CEO in March 2006, said AGL Resources’ employees have shown their “Generosity of Spirit” during previous United Way campaigns.
Somerhalder said his willingness to serve as campaign chair in 2009 is a logical next step “to continue our commitment to United Way and to our communities. The needs are certainly not decreasing each year.”
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United Way president praises Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s United Way marked its annual meeting Wednesday with reflection and anticipation.
President Milton Little reflected on his first year (the actual anniversary will be July 12) as head of the organization. He also talked about how United Way across the nation is launching a new brand: Live United.
Among the other changes: Tim Bentsen, KPMG’s Southeast managing partner, is taking over as chairman of the United Way board, succeeding IBM’s senior executive in Georgia, Lee Torrence.
Then there’s Atlanta’s United Way campaign —- the largest annual community fund-raising effort in metro Atlanta.
The leadership for the campaign is now set for the next two years.
Ed Heys, a partner with Deloitte, will chair the campaign for 2008, when he will try to meet and exceed the 2007 campaign led by Georgia Power’s Mike Garrett, which raised $81.2 million.
Heys said the campaign cabinet is just getting started but the response so far has been positive. Heys already has gone on a few CEO calls, and he has been encouraged by those visits.
Following Heys as campaign chair will be John Somerhalder, CEO of AGL Resources, who accepted that job in March 2006 and moved to Atlanta.
Moving to Atlanta is an experience he can share with Little.
Little said he feels “extraordinarily lucky” to have come to Atlanta from Boston. (Little did graduate from Morehouse College, so he was familiar with Atlanta.)
“Atlanta is a United Way town,” Little said. “Leaders challenge the organization to be better and better and have a greater impact.”
Little said he knew Atlanta’s United Way had a great reputation with a strong tradition of effectiveness. But he also recognized the challenges. Metro Atlanta has attracted job seekers, but those who are not successful may end up homeless.
“People recognize that in tough times, the situation is difficult and dire for those most at risk,” said Little, who has been pleased that the community is responding to those needs. “I see firsthand the generosity and care of this community and its support of United Way.”
During his talk, Little reflected on the 40th anniversaries of the assassinations of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. So many people were inspired by their messages of serving the community.
“Atlanta is recognized as a vibrant laboratory for philanthropic opportunities and volunteerism,” Little said.
United Way’s new “Live United” theme also has a good local fit. “It is the concept that we are all interconnected,” Little said. “What good we do for one is good that is done for all.”
Theological fund fits Atlanta well
Ten years ago, a national nonprofit organization moved to Atlanta that heralds the city’s unique role of combining religion and social justice.
The Fund for Theological Education, housed at Emory University, has awarded $16 million in fellowships to 1,500 students in the past decade. It will celebrate its 10 years in Atlanta on Friday at a “Next Generation Leaders” event.
“Since it has come to Atlanta, it has really taken off,” said Jim Laney, a former president of Emory University who has been involved with the fund. He said the fund helps encourage and enable promising young people to enter the ministry and serve their community.
“It’s extraordinarily worthwhile,” Laney said, adding that Atlanta has several role models, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, among others. One of the founding trustees in the 1950s was Benjamin E. Mays, a former president of Morehouse College.
Among FTE’s alumni with Atlanta ties: Morehouse President Robert Franklin, Roberto Goizueta III (son of the late Coca-Cola chief) and Michael Battle, president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.
The national fund also has two Atlanta trustees: home builder John Wieland and community leader Florida Ellis.
Musician active in policy-making
Could we have a rock ‘n’ roller in the governor’s mansion?
Chuck Leavell, a Georgia tree farmer, also plays keyboard for the Rolling Stones.
So when he was in Atlanta last week to introduce the Stones’ film “Shine the Light” at the Fox Theatre, I asked Leavell if he’s given the idea more serious thought.
“I still enjoy engaging in policy-making,” said Leavell, who is working with Gov. Sonny Perdue on conservation efforts
“I’m still a musician and still making records. But who knows what the Stones will do in the next couple of years? If I had to make a decision between going on a Stones tour or running for governor, it would be a tough choice. One of those pays a lot better than the other.”
Leavell, a registered Democrat, said he has been able to work with leaders from both parties. “I tend to vote more for the person than the party,” said Leavell, who said if he decides to enter politics, he would focus on environmental and educational issues.
Friendly warning to Charlotte
Former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, who is now president of the Buckhead Coalition, was invited to Charlotte this week to talk to its chamber of commerce on how to make its SouthPark mall as well known as Lenox Square.
Both properties are owned by the Simon Property Group.
Despite Charlotte often being viewed as a competitor to Atlanta, Massell extended an invitation to create a “Sister Communities Program” between SouthPark and Buckhead so they could exchange ideas.
But Massell warned: “I’m competitive and protective, and I’ll never let you catch us.”
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