Deisha Barnett, the senior branding executive with the Metro Atlanta Chamber for nearly five years, will be leaving May 21 to join UPS as its vice president of strategic communications.
Author Archives: Maria Saporta
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two young adult children. She launched SaportaReport in February 2009.
Posted inColumns
Pro-transit Biden administration gives metro Atlanta a chance to pivot to rail
At long last, we have a president who understands the value of rail – both for passengers and freight.
Posted inLatest News
The Coca-Cola Foundation names Saadia Madsbjerg as president
In what is one of the most important corporate civic roles in Atlanta, Saadia Madsbjerg has been named as the new president of the Coca-Cola Foundation, beginning June 1.
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Ryan Millsap sells Blackhall Studios, plans new ventures
Ryan Millsap, founder of Atlanta-based Blackhall Studios, announced Wednesday morning he has sold controlling interest in the company to a Los Angeles-based private equity firm – Commonwealth Group.
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Centennial Yards begins its $5 billion redevelopment journey with “The Lofts”
The first step in the massive redevelopment of Atlanta’s railroad gulch began Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Lofts at Centennial Yards.
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Atlanta LINK trip headed to Chicago in October
The Chicago LINK trip is back on.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta and Fulton County must work together – for the taxpayers’ benefit
The tug-of-war over the future of the Atlanta City Detention Center spotlights the flaw in the state of governance between the City of Atlanta and Fulton County.
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Georgia Tech’s Kendeda Building certified as a ‘Living Building’
By Maria Saporta It’s official. The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design is one of the greenest buildings in the world. Georgia Tech announced on Earth Day that the Kendeda Building on its campus has earned the “Living Building Challenge” certification version 3.1) for being “net positive” with its use of energy and water. In […]
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Coca-Cola’s James Quincey: Voting is ‘a foundational right’
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey reiterated his company’s support to protect voting rights in Georgia at the company’s virtual annual meeting Tuesday morning.
Posted inColumns
As region becomes more diverse, Atlanta Regional Commission trying to catch up
The in-person gathering of former chairs of the Atlanta Regional Commission drove home the point.
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Atlanta is better because of Leon Eplan (1928-2021)
Leon Eplan – one of Atlanta’s most visionary leaders – died Thursday morning.
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ARC’s Doug Hooker announces plans to retire in March 2022
Doug Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission since November 2011, told his board late Wednesday afternoon that he plans to retire at the end of next March.
Posted inMaria's Metro
Georgia benefits from the presence of enlightened Atlanta-based companies
Last fall, Gov. Brian Kemp boasted about Georgia’s consecutive No. 1 rankings as the top state for business. And yet in the past couple of weeks, that same governor is lambasting two of Georgia’s highest profile companies – Delta Air Lines and the Coca-Cola Co. – for openly criticizing the state’s new voting legislation.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta’s ‘sacred’ Sunset Avenue encompasses our past and our future
As the sun was setting on Easter Sunday, Vine City community members gathered on Sunset Avenue to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
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Atlanta’s interim airport general manager will be Balram Bheodari
Balram “B” Bheodari has been named interim general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – again.
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Atlanta Committee for Progress to help fight crime in the city
Facing a growing crime problem in an election year, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Thursday morning the Atlanta Committee for Progress will support her three-pronged initiative to improve public safety in the city.
Posted inColumns
Saying good-bye to yet another Atlanta airport general manager
With the imminent departure of John Selden, the revolving door at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport continues to turn.
Posted inColumns
Fort Mac’s inside deal with T.D. Jakes’ firm bypasses the community
Here we go again. The board of the Fort McPherson Local Redevelopment Authority is entering into exclusive negotiations with Bishop T.D. Jakes’s Dallas-based real estate firm to sell much of its remaining 132 acres.
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Emory’s Dr. Carlos del Rio: ‘We failed in our pandemic response’
One of Georgia’s leading scientists – Dr. Carlos del Rio – declared the nation had failed in how it responded to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci: ‘Stick with the truth, maintain your integrity’
Dr. Anthony Fauci was awarded Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen Jr. Prize in Social Courage Monday for all the contributions he’s made throughout his career, but especially during the past year as the country faced the COVID-19 pandemic.
