New Invest Atlanta chief named

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on Thursday named the former head of the Louisville, Ky., chamber of commerce to lead Atlanta’s economic development agency.

Craig J. Richard, the former CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., will succeed Brian McGowan, who left to join the Metro Atlanta Chamber as its No. 2 officer earlier this year. A start date for Richard was not announced.

Richard’s past experience includes stints with economic development agencies in the greater Houston area and metro Dallas. He was one of three finalists named last month.

“Craig J. Richard is uniquely qualified to lead Invest Atlanta as we continue to grow our economy, create jobs and retain the businesses who already call Atlanta home,” Reed said in a news release.

The other finalists were Gregory M. Buckley, former COO of Gibson Guitar, and Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta’s managing director of business development.

“This was a competitive process, so I am honored to have been selected out of a group of extremely qualified candidates. I look forward to working with Mayor Kasim Reed and the Board to bring jobs and investment to Atlanta,” Richard said in the release.

About the Author

Home Depot cuts outlook amid housing slump and consumer uncertainty

Home Depot said its net income dipped to $3.6 billion during the third quarter, down 1.3% from the same period last year.

Global software firm announces Atlanta expansion with 250 new jobs

Sales software company Salesforce announced Tuesday it will invest $15 million to expand its Georgia operations, adding 250 new jobs to Fulton County by the end of 2028.

Downtown Atlanta’s Hotel Phoenix takes flight, sets opening date

The opening comes as Centennial Yards and its parent, CIM Group, push ahead on several key projects across the 50-acre site, the largest project the city has seen in decades.

The Latest

Credit: Special

Beyond the odometer: What matters most in a used car

Why your car’s safety tech needs maintenance, too

OPINION

Saying goodbye to the Porsche 718 Cayman — for now

Featured

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.