The head of a high-profile organization created to revitalize Atlanta’s westside resigned on Friday, just six months on the job.
Quince Brinkley, who began as the Westside Future Fund’s first executive director last July, cited “personal and family” reasons for his departure, according to a press release Friday.
Brinkley could not be reached immediately for comment, but said in the written statement: “The Westside Future Fund is a great organization with an engaged and active board, and I wish them well as they undertake the important work of resuscitating Atlanta’s historic, west side communities.”
The Westside Future Fund was created in 2014 by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta Committee for Progress, a group of local CEOs, academics and philanthropists. In recent years, the mayor and ACP — which includes members of billionaire Arthur Blank’s companies — have turned their sights toward the neighborhoods surrounding the $1.4 billion Mercedes-Benz stadium.
The organization aims to unify philanthropic, corporate and community efforts to alleviate deep seated poverty in English Avenue, Vine City and Castleberry Hill. Specifically, the group works in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency. Each dedicated $15 million to be spent on westside projects.
The staffing change is the second major shake-up in westside-related organizations this week, and could have jarring effects on community improvement efforts now underway. CEO Craig Richard abruptly resigned from his Invest Atlanta position this week, just days after the agency terminated its newly hired chief financial officer.
Westside Future Fund board chairman Richard Dugas, CEO of PulteGroup, thanked Brinkley for his brief service. Brinkley previously worked as the vice president of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Georgia Housing Finance Authority.
“Under Quince’s leadership, the Westside Future Fund has made tremendous gains in a short period of time and we will work to build on the strong foundation he helped establish,” Dugas wrote.
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