The Board of Directors for Atlanta BeltLine Inc. recently appointed Clyde Higgs as president and Chief Executive Officer, according to a press release. Following an extensive national search, Higgs, who had been serving as interim CEO for the last six months, was named to the position.

“Clyde Higgs’ leadership has served as a valuable asset during a critical time of transition for the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “I look forward to continuing our work together in advancing the goals of this transformative project.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to continue serving the people of Atlanta through a project that is fundamentally about providing access to opportunity,” said Higgs. “The Atlanta BeltLine is leveraging world-class infrastructure to advance mobility, economic development, and housing in a manner that helps pave the way for the city’s future and supports the Mayor’s vision of One Atlanta.”

Higgs joined ABI September 2015 as Chief Operating Officer. As interim CEO, he has ushered through several design and construction projects, such as the Southside Trail, Enota Park, and the Eastside Trail’s southern extension. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of an old railroad line from Antioch Baptist Church North, a stretch of corridor connecting the “Kudzu Line” with Northside Drive, and the ongoing procurement of a developer for Murphy Crossing job creation.

Additionally, he has overseen the ninth season of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine, the production of 121 additional affordable housing units, community engagement for Subarea Master Plan updates, the launch of the IoT ATL Ag Tech pilot program, and the introduction of BeltLine University.

Higgs is also on the Boards of Trees Atlanta and the City of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Commission.