CALLAWAY GARDENS – More than a dozen shareholders participated in a question-and-answer session with Southern Co. CEO Tom Fanning during the annual meeting that lasted two hours.
And most of the questions centered around the company’s efforts to adopt more renewable energy, vocally support the Paris Climate Accord and to become a more vocal industry leader addressing global warming and climate change.
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on April 7, 2017
When Southern Co. turned 100 years old in 2011, the Atlanta-based energy giant commissioned a company history entitled “Big Bets: Decisions and Leaders that Shaped Southern Co.”
The printed synopsis on the book jacket puts it this way: “Big bets are pivotal decisions leaders make when the stakes are high — decisions that forge a successful path or retrieve a lost cause at a critical crossroads. Big bets can determine a company’s destiny or reshape its future.”
A controversial coal ash dump proposed near Jesup won’t be built, according to a statement released Wednesday by the company that intended to build the landfill.
The bankruptcy papers Westinghouse filed today in regards to Plant Vogtle names the nuclear plant in Georgia as one of two reasons the company faces a dire financial situation. The other reason is a nuclear power plant in South Carolina.
While it’s anyone’s guess who will be the next mayor of Atlanta, one thing is certain. The Atlanta Committee for Progress is already putting the pieces in place to ready to help make sure the next mayor is successful.
ACP, as it’s known in powerful circles, is composed of many of the top CEOs and civic leaders in Atlanta.
By Guest Columnist DINK NESMITH, a Jesup native who is president and co-owner of Athens-based Community Newspapers, Inc., publishers of newspapers in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina
If fictional detective Sherlock Holmes were roaming the halls of the Georgia General Assembly, he could give an “elementary” clue why the proposed strengthening of coal-ash handling died before 2017’s Crossover Day. “My dear Watson,” the pipe-smoking sleuth would say, “follow the money.”
As computer hacking becomes a seemingly everyday occurrence, metro Atlanta is at the center of discussions because of its ranking as one of the nation’s major data center and home to one of the world’s largest data centers.
An effort to increase public notice about coal ash issues, and management of coal ash dumps, has stalled in the state Legislature. The proposals are dead for the year, unless advocates can attach them to legislation that is still under consideration.
It’s an odd little world, where a Japanese company many of us still associate with the stereo equipment of our youth is brought to its knees because it can’t get concrete poured fast enough in Georgia and South Carolina.
By Maria Saporta and Amy Wenk
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Feb. 10, 2017
The pressure is on — not only on the Atlanta Falcons to make a return trip to the Super Bowl — next time bringing home a win.
The pressure also is on Atlanta — to deliver a successful 2019 Super Bowl — one at least as good as the one that Houston hosted the first weekend in February.
HOUSTON – Atlantans are hungry for a Super Bowl win.
That was pretty much the consensus among dozens of folks who made the trip from Atlanta to Houston to be in the city hosting Super Bowl 51.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who arrived Saturday night, went to a party put on by the NFL and Ebony Magazine. He said he was feeling good about Atlanta’s chances.
The coming of a new year heightens our sensitivity to the changes in our life and our city.
This year marked the last Peach Drop as we know it. Sadly, the rain and the cold dampened the final event held at Underground Atlanta before it is sold to WRS Realty in the near future.
The good news is that the historic structures in and around Underground will be preserved as new buildings are constructed as part of the new development.
But there are so many other landmarks in danger of being demolished during 2017 with Atlanta having a spotty record of preserving its most precious landmarks.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber invited current and former board and staff members to say good-bye to its headquarters building as well as its roof-top pavilion.
The Atlanta Chamber has sold its building to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which plans to demolish the building across Marietta Street in order to expand Centennial Olympic Park.
By Maria Saporta
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Sept. 23, 2016
The family of the late Herman J. Russell will convene in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24 for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The opening of the museum will be of special significance to the Russell family because their firm — H.J. Russell & Co. — was the lead contractor on the project.
By Maria Saporta
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on July 29, 2016
For the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the 2015-2016 campaign was a strong year with several encouraging signs. For starters, the campaign exceeded its $77.7 million goal by $100,000 — raising $77.8 million, according to David Mangum, president and COO of Atlanta’s Global Payments Inc. and chairman of the 2015-2016 campaign.
A first-of-its-kind gantry at the state port in Savannah has won a 2016 Clean Air Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
By Maria Saporta
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on June 17, 2016
Egbert Perry couldn’t be more proud of the three new people who have been elected to Fannie Mae’s board — describing them as part of the organization’s new leadership.
Perry, who is board chairman of Fannie Mae and also CEO of Atlanta-based commercial real estate developer Integral Group, described the three leaders as “seasoned executives.”
By Maria Saporta As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on June 10, 2016 The sixth annual Clinton Global Initiative America will be held in Atlanta June 12 to 14, bringing together national leaders in business, philanthropy, government and nonprofits. A highlight of this year’s meeting will be a special one-on-one conversation between two former […]
By Maria Saporta
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on May 13, 2016
Zoo Atlanta has accomplished a feat that many in town wondered if it could be done. It has been able to match – and even exceed — a $20 million challenge grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation made in November 2014.
“We can declare victory,” said Raymond King, Zoo Atlanta’s president and CEO. “Who would have thought we would get 12 gifts of $1 million or more.”
In all, the zoo has raised $41 million for its “Grand New View” campaign, significantly exceeding its original $38.1 million goal. The gift that put them over the top was a $2 million gift from Chris Carlos, son of the late Thalia and Michael Carlos. In return, the new ballroom will be named after his parents.
By Maria Saporta
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on April 1, 2016
Even before the 2016 Georgia legislative session began, the business community at the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s annual meeting in December let it be known it would fight any religious liberty bill that could possibly cause discrimination.
And as various versions of a religious liberty bill were introduced, amended and ultimately passed both houses, the objections from business leaders, industries, organizations and major conventions grew even louder — with some saying they would boycott Georgia if the bill became law.
