Cobb Commission Chairman Olens wins national honor

Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens is the recipient of the 2008 Tom Bradley Leadership Award from the National Association of Regional Councils.

The association honored Olens with the award, which recognizes regional leadership excellence, on Sunday at the opening session of its national conference in Washington, D.C.

Olens is chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission and has built a reputation as a consensus builder on metro Atlanta issues and concerns. In a press release, ARC director Charles Krautler said Olens “is truly a national example for encouraging regional cooperation.”

Under Olens’ leadership the ARC adopted a $51 billion transportation plan and formed the Transit Planning Board to create a cohesive regional transit system.

Georgia Trend magazine named Olens one of its 100 Most Influential Georgians each of the past five years.

He was unopposed for re-election in November.