Newspaper Page Text
BUSINESS
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17-23, 2019 • Page 13
Taylor leaves DeKalb Chamber, looks forward to new challenges
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
After seven years with
the Dekalb Chamber of
Commerce, President and
CEO Katerina Taylor has
announced that she has
resigned to accept a position
with the city of Atlanta,
where she will be involved
with economic development
and workforce development.
Oct. 16 was her last day
with the chamber.
Taylor said that although
her position changes, she
still will be working to
support the area’s growth.
“Atlanta is a robust hub
for businesses. I have had
the opportunity to learn
from great business leaders,
watch them from a distance,
and spend a moment with
them to receive great advice
and counsel on the matters
of people and business,
and ultimately how we
move them both forward
together,” she said.
“I have lived in Atlanta
for 16 years and have
worked at SunTrust Bank
and the DeKalb Chamber.
I have enjoyed every
minute,” Taylor continued.
“I’ve learned a lot and have
been exposed to a lot. My
capacity and expertise have
grown, and I wanted the
opportunity to expand my
leadership impacts. Finally,
[accepting the position with
the city of Atlanta is] just a
good business decision for
me.”
Taylor said she has
had an interest in business
since she was a child. “My
father was a grocery store
owner and he said there
were two reasons he chose
to go into this business:
to feed and employ the
community. There are many
impediments to employment
especially for many under
resourced communities. I
want to help families across
Atlanta get the proper access
to job training, livable
wages and sustainable
workforce opportunities. I
also want to support the city
and Invest Atlanta in our
recruitment efforts of major
organizations to the city,”
she said.
“The future workforce
Katerina Taylor said she is proud of her
accomplishments as president and CEO
of DeKalb Chamber.
will be employed by small
businesses,” according
to Taylor, who added, “I
want to ensure that we are
offering small businesses
capacity and capital building
opportunities. I also wanted
to see that land swap
between DeKalb County
and Blackhall Studios get
executed. Ryan Millsap’s
plans for DeKalb will
be great for job growth,
entertainment industry
workforce opportunities,
and tourism.”
Taylor said she is proud
of her accomplishments at
the DeKalb Chamber, noting
that even businesses that
never joined the chamber
benefit from its work.
“Through our advocacy, all
businesses in DeKalb have
been impacted by the work
we do. Things I’m proud to
have accomplished include
rebranding the chamber,
breaking consecutive
records for attendance
and budget on our annual
programs, delivering my
first State of Women in
Business speech, advocating
with Congresswoman
[Lucy] McBath to increase
appropriations around
funding for CDFIs and
ultimately creating more
access to capital for small
businesses, hiring a dynamic
staff, and, getting the
chamber through some of its
most turbulent times.”
Looking back at her
years with the chamber,
Taylor commented, “Most
things are never as you
expect it, and in this
industry, there are surprises
every day. I’m extremely
grateful for all of it. It
kept me up at night with
my wheels turning, and
sometimes I felt defeated but
that was fleeting as I always
remembered why I was here.
“I enjoyed meeting the
people. They have shared
their goals and challenges
with me. I was able to laugh
with them and create great
memories. It’s been great to
see our members mix fun
with business and participate
in the ugly sweater contest
at our holiday business-
after-hours; they have all
been a part of our legacy
of leadership. I especially
remember all the little girls
I have met throughout the
years who have told me
that they want to be like me
when they grow up. I still
keep a box of thank you
cards and congratulatory
notes that I received over the
last five years.”
The DeKalb business
community is moving in the
right direction, according
to Taylor, who observed,
“DeKalb has heart, vision
and guts. We’ve faced some
challenges, but we continue
to build business and people
and help them thrive here.
Passing SPLOSTin2017
helped create and fund a
roadmap for DeKalb. We’ll
continue to see the impact
of SPLOST for years to
come and by addressing
the infrastructure and
transportation challenges,
it’ll make DeKalb a more
attractive and competitive
county.”
The ideal candidate
to succeed her should have
an economic development
background, according to
Taylor, who added “and
a background in fund
development helps. I’d
like to think I have the
personality and demeanor
for this kind of work, and
I think that’s important,
but most important he/she
should have the heart for
people and business.”
Taylor said she would
like her successor to know
“DeKalb is as unique as
its people, politics, assets,
and resources and said
whoever fills her shoes
should “appreciate all of it.
Learn from it and partner
with as many people as
you can,” she advised. “All
parts of DeKalb are stronger
together. By the way, DCTV
is one of the best resources
in DeKalb. Farewells are
never easy, but this will be
my most satisfying yet, as I
am very proud of what has
been accomplished thus far.”
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN FY2020 BUDGET REVIEW,
PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND ADOPTION
The proposed FY 2020 City of Brookhaven Budget will be presented to Mayor and
Council by the City Manager on October 22, 2019 at the regularly scheduled Council
Meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. The City of Brookhaven will hold a public hearing on
the proposed FY 2020 Budget at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday,
November 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Another public hearing will be held during the City
Council meeting on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Following the public
hearing on November 26, 2019, the City Council will vote to adopt the FY 2020 Budget.
The FY 2020 Budget will be available for public inspection at City Hall, 4362 Peachtree
Road, and on the website www.brookhavenga.gov October 22, 2020.
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