Nonprofit honors 60 seniors making a difference

If you love Atlanta, thank a senior citizen.

Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, a local nonprofit providing services to the region’s older population, has compiled a list of 60 Atlantans over age 60 who have made a significant difference in life here.

“Atlanta is built on the leadership of men and women, many over 60 years of age, who have made amazing contributions, turning this city into an international powerhouse,” said Jeffrey Smythe, executive director for Senior Citizens Services.

The group plans to make the list an annual event honoring individuals over age 60 who have accomplished notable achievements in business, government and civic leadership. This year’s list includes seven categories. We asked each category representative what they like most about being over 60. Our photo gallery represents those individuals in an abbreviated format. The remaining honorees are listed below along with their primary accomplishments.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Shirley Franklin, 63, mayor of Atlanta

Accomplishments: Two-term mayor of Atlanta; rebuilding the city’s deteriorated sewer system; improved relations between city government and regional leaders; named by Time magazine as one of the best mayors in America.

What I like most about being over 60: “I am happy to be getting older and to have witnessed life during such a critical time in America’s history. Inspirational events and influential people in the 60’s such as Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and John Lewis and the Freedom Riders helped shape my view of the world today. Their fearless, optimistic and moral leadership caused me to examine my life and how I could contribute to fulfilling the promise of a great country and I am better for it.”

More local government honorees:

Benjamin R. DeCosta, aviation general manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Charles “Chick” Krautler, Atlanta Regional Commission director

Sam Massell, former mayor of Atlanta; executive director of the Buckhead Coalition

Amisha Norman, quality assurance and nutrition services coordinator, Atlanta Regional Commission

Sonny Perdue, governor of Georgia

Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO of Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Cheryl Schramm, former director of Area Agencies on Aging; Atlanta Regional Commission

Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta; president of GoodWorks International

U.S. GOVERNMENT

Sen. Johnny Isakson, 63, U.S. senator from Georgia

Accomplishments: 20 years as president of Northside Realty; 17 years in the Georgia General Assembly; three years as Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education; three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives; U.S. Senator from Georgia since 2004.

Quote: “When you reach my age, you realize that every day is a gift. Priorities become very clear and I try to take advantage of every moment I have by spending it wisely. Whether it is helping Georgians through my job as a senator or spending time with my family, I try not to let one moment go to waste.”

More U.S. government honorees:

Griffin Bell, former U.S. Attorney General, senior partner King & Spalding

Jimmy Carter, former president of the United States

Rosalynn Carter, former first lady

Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Senator from Georgia

Nuby J. Fowler, Region IV Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

John Lewis, U.S. House of Representatives

SPORTS

William Porter “Billy” Payne, 61, chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, former CEO of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games

Accomplishments: Convinced city and state leaders to place Atlanta in competition to be the location for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Led the bid team and won the approval of the International Olympic Committee. Helmed the operations that prepared Atlanta and Georgia to host the Games.

Quote: “After all my health issues as a very young man, 60 years sounds pretty good to me. It’s second only to my 40 years with Martha. We are now shooting for 70 and 50.”

More sports honorees:

Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves senior vice president; former holder of lifetime home run world record

Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves manager

William “Bill” Curry, head coach Georgia State University football; former head coach Georgia Tech football

John Schuerholz, president Atlanta Braves

MEDIA

Neal Boortz, 63, syndicated radio talk-show host

Accomplishments: almost 4 million listeners nationwide; author of “The Terrible Truth About Liberals.”

Quote: “No matter what it is, your parents won’t care. Being 60 is not as bad as you thought it was at 30.”

More media honorees:

Anne Cox Chambers, chairman, Atlanta newspapers; Board of Directors, Cox Enterprises Inc.

Jim Kennedy, chairman and CEO, Cox Enterprises Inc.

Monica Pearson, evening news anchor, WSB-TV

Jim Wooten, editorial page associate editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PHILANTHROPY

Bill Bolling, 60, founder and executive director, Atlanta Community Food Bank

Accomplishments: charter member of Second Harvest - America’s Food Bank Network; founder of Atlanta Housing Forum; moderator of the Regional Housing Forum; past chair of the Regional Leadership Forum Board; past chair of the State of Georgia Housing Trust Fund Commission; 1990 Kellogg National Fellowship.

Quote: “I’m most grateful for my impatience. Without it, I never would have tried half the things I did. With the belief that 60 is the new 40, I’m very excited about the future. With hard earned experience & success, great friends, and a clear idea of what is important in my life, I feel more prepared and excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

More philanthropy honorees:

Arthur Blank, co-founder The Home Depot, owner and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia Force

Enrique Dorta, interim president of The Atlanta Cuban Club; Latin American Association fundraiser

Jane Fonda, actress; founder and chair of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

Mrs. J.B. “Dottie” Fuqua, Atlanta Botanical Garden benefactor

Elton John, rock star; founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot; chairman of the Marcus Foundation, Inc.

Billi Marcus, co-founder the Marcus Autism Center for Development and Learning

Charles “Pete” McTier, former president of the Woodruff Foundation

Helene Mills, founder of the Helene Mills Senior Center

Vivian Minor, former executive director of the Senior Citizens Service

James S. Stokes, president of the Georgia Conservancy

Ted Turner, founder of Turner Broadcasting; founder and chairman of The Turner Foundation

BUSINESS

Truett Cathy, 87, founder and chairman, Chick-Fil-A Inc.

Accomplishments: Pioneered the concept of restaurants in malls and expanded his company to a corporation with more than $2 billion in sales annually. Established the WinShape Foundation in 1984 supporting a programs including long-term foster care, summer camps for 1,800 children and a scholarship in conjunction with Berry College. Winner of numerous humanitarian awards, author of four books and co-author of one book.

Quote: “At 87 years of age, any day I can get up and put my shoes on is a good and blessed day!”

More business honorees:

Ray Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface, Inc.

Douglas Billian, founder and CEO of Billian Publishing, Inc.

A.D. “Pete” Corell, chairman of Atlanta Equity, chairman emeritus of Georgia-Pacific Corporation

Neville Isdell, board chairman and former CEO of the Coca-Cola Company

Pano Karatassos, founder and CEO of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group

Dennis P. Lockhart, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Gay Love, chairman of Printpack Inc.; founder of the Gay and Erskine Love Foundation

Herman J. Russell, founder and chairman, H.J. Russell & Company

Dan Vargas, president and CEO of Vargas & Amigos

James M. Wells III, chairman, president and CEO of SunTrust Banks

John Wieland, founder, chairman and chief creative officer of John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods

Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

EDUCATION

Daniel S. Papp,61, president of Kennesaw State University

Accomplishments: Senior vice chancellor for the University System of Georgia 2000-2006.; interim president of Southern Polytechnic State University 1997-1998; founding director of Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs; director of the Georgia Tech School of Social Sciences from 1980-1990.

Quote: “My kids think I am a lot smarter than I used to be … But seriously, I have a much greater depth of experience and, hopefully, wisdom, to draw on today than I did 20 or 30 years ago. In 39 years, I’ll be able to shoot my age in golf.”

More education honorees:

Walter D. Broadnax, former president of Clark Atlanta University

Bishop L. Bevel Jones III, bishop in residence and special assistant for development, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

John E. Maupin Jr., president of Morehouse School of Medicine

Elena Mola, Atlanta Public Schools retiree; education advocate