The first Harry West Visionary Leadership Award will be presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding community service, commitment and inspired leadership to the Atlanta region. The award is intended to inspire vision and innovative approaches to the challenges and opportunities facing our region.

The award has been established in the name of Harry West, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s longest serving executive director, who exemplified visionary leadership that resulted in lasting benefits to the Atlanta region. Mr. West additionally served as a Professor of Practice in the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at Georgia Tech from 2006 to 2014.

Mr. West convened regional leaders to craft bold initiatives in a range of key areas, from water supply and quality to livable communities. The recipient will be recognized at ARC’s annual State of the Region breakfast on November 7, 2014. Nominations must be submitted by October 17, 2014. E-mail to Julie Ralston @ jralston@atlantaregional.com or mail to Julie Ralston, Atlanta Regional Commission, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.

To be considered for the Harry West Visionary Leadership Award, nominees must:

1) Demonstrate leadership in addressing important regional issues or opportunities

2) Exhibit vision in communicating how change can occur in the Atlanta region

3) Work collaboratively with others in addressing regional challenges

4) Inspire actions that will create long-term benefits for the region and its citizens.

Individuals must live in City of Atlanta, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry or Rockdale counties. Individual nominees may work in any sector – from public, private or non-profit.

Please click here to view the nomination form.

Read more on the ARC's webiste.

Award text and description written by Dan Rueter, ACIP, Manager of Community Development at the Atlanta Regional Commision.