PRESS RELEASE DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond to Deliver His Final State of the County Address

Media Contact:
Alyssa Eubanks
770-813-3388

 

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Monday, April 29, 2024

DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond to Deliver His Final State of the County Address
Over 650 Expected at Assembly Studios for Annual Address and Lunch on May 2

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The Council for Quality Growth, in partnership with DeKalb County Government and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2024 State of DeKalb County Address on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 11:30 AM at the brand new Assembly Studios in Atlanta. This year’s lunch and program is presented by Amazon, Decide DeKalb Development Authority, and the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority and will feature remarks from CEO of DeKalb County, Michael L. Thurmond. More than 650 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of DeKalb County are expected at the cutting-edge production facility and movie studio to hear the CEO’s final address.

The Council’s State of DeKalb County annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies, as well as with other local leaders from across the region. CEO Michael Thurmond will address the businesses in his community to present achievements and projects from the last year, as well as an overview of his term as CEO. This will be CEO Thurmond’s 7th and final State of the County address to DeKalb’s businesses and community partners.

The Council for Quality Growth works with DeKalb County and its local municipalities year-round to advocate for our members doing business in those areas. “DeKalb County continues to be a thriving place for businesses and residents alike,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “We’re excited to showcase the newest economic engine here in DeKalb for CEO Thurmond’s outgoing address. The Council commends the leadership of Michael Thurmond during his tenure as CEO and looks forward to celebrating his successes alongside the promising future in DeKalb.”

The State of DeKalb will also feature remarks from Frankie Atwater, President & CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, Presiding Officer of DeKalb County Commissioners, Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Evans, City of Doraville, and Danny Johnson, Manager of the ARC’s Metro North Georgia Water Planning District. The Council’s President & CEO Michael E. Paris and Chair Sally Riker, in addition to DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jeff Taylor, will deliver remarks and introduce sponsors. Terreta Rodgers from Amazon will give presenting sponsor remarks, and presenting sponsor videos will be played for Decide-DeKalb Development Authority and Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority. CEO Thurmond’s daughter, journalist Mikaya Thurmond, will introduce him to the stage. A full list of speakers in this year’s program is below.

Press are invited to attend with prior registration. Please RSVP to Alyssa Eubanks at ae@councilforqualitygrowth.org.

2024 State of DeKalb County

  • Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
  • Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: Assembly Studios Atlanta
  • Featured Speakers:
    • Frankie Atwater, President and CEO, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
    • Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, Presiding Officer, DeKalb County Commission
    • Dorian DeBarr, President, Decide-DeKalb Development Authority
    • Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Evans, City of Doraville
    • Hilton Howell, CEO, Gray Television
    • Danny Johnson, Manager, Metro North Georgia Water Planning District
    • Michael Paris, President and CEO, Council for Quality Growth
    • Sally Riker, Chair, Council for Quality Growth
    • Terreta Rodgers, Head of Community Affairs, Atlanta Region, Amazon
    • Jeff Taylor, Chairman, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
    • CEO Michael L. Thurmond, DeKalb County
    • Mikaya Thurmond, PR Strategist, Strategic Communications Agency

More details for the 2024 State of DeKalb County can be found here: https://councilforqualitygrowth.memberzone.com/events/details/closed-state-of-dekalb-county-address-2024-5733

About the State of the County/Agency Series
The Council for Quality Growth hosts 10 ‘State of’ events across the region, including 8 counties and 2 agencies. We work in close collaboration with the office of the County Chairs in Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale, as well as with leadership at MARTA and the Atlanta BeltLine, to provide a platform for our counties and agency partners deliver an annual update on achievements, projects, and the future that is specifically geared toward the business community and the Council’s membership. A full calendar of the Council’s 2024 Signature Events, including the State of the County/Agency series, can be viewed and downloaded here: 2024 Programs Calendar

About the Council for Quality Growth
The Council for Quality Growth is a trade organization that works to ensure continued growth and economic success for generations to come by providing advocacy, information, and education to its members. In its 39th year, the Council is committed to the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth and is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to the growth and development industry. The Council addresses, head-on, strategic economic planning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. For more information, please visit http://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.

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