{"679339":{"#nid":"679339","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yellow Jackets Named Among Most Influential Georgians ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEleven Yellow Jackets are among \u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Trend\u003C\/em\u003E\u2019s 100 Most Influential Georgians for 2025 for their efforts to create positive change throughout the state. Among the honorees, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was chosen as the \u201cGeorgian of the Year.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrian Blake, EE 1994 \u2013 President, Georgia State University\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia State is set to embark on a transformational period under Blake\u2019s leadership. An $80 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation \u2014 the largest award in the university\u2019s 111-year history \u2014 will fund nine projects designed to \u201creinvigorate and reimagine\u201d the campus experience by creating a college town environment in downtown Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u00c1ngel Cabrera, M.S. PSY 1993, Ph.D. PSY 1995 \u2013 President, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder Cabrera\u2019s leadership, the Institute welcomed the largest incoming class in its history in the fall, with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.em.gatech.edu\/2024\/08\/21\/georgia-tech-welcomes-new-students\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E5,300 students\u003C\/a\u003E, and is considered the nation\u2019s fastest-growing public university. Georgia Tech contributed a record \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/08\/15\/georgia-techs-economic-impact-reaches-record-53-billion-fiscal-year-2023\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E$5.3 billion\u003C\/a\u003E to the state economy in the last fiscal year \u2014 the most of any institution in the University System of Georgia. Along with the College of Lifetime Learning\u2019s 2024 launch, Cabrera announced a refresh of the Institute\u2019s strategic plan, focusing on four \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/06\/big-bets-refresh-georgia-tech-strategic-plan\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBig Bets\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d to expand its impact in the coming decade. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELisa Cupid, ME 2000 \u2013 Chair, Cobb County Board of Supervisors\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEntering her second term as chair of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Cupid tells \u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Trend\u003C\/em\u003E that she hopes to broaden procurement opportunities for businesses owned by underrepresented groups, women, and service-disabled veterans in Cobb County. As the county continues to grow, her priorities are improving housing, public safety, and sustainability. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndre Dickens, ChE 1998 \u2013 Mayor, City of Atlanta \u2013 2025 Georgian of the Year\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe mayor credits his time as a Yellow Jacket for preparing him for his career in public service. \u201cIt was rigorous, and I didn\u2019t give up. There is never a day, even sitting in the mayor\u2019s seat, that I\u2019m like, \u2018This is bigger than we can manage; the problem is too hard to solve.\u2019\u201d Income inequality and housing continue to top the first-term mayor\u2019s priority list, along with improving public transportation. In 2024, Dickens won the Maynard H. Jackson Community Impact Award from 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERoderick McLean, M.S. EE 1993 \u2013 Vice President and General Manager, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, Lockheed Martin\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the vice president of Lockheed Martin\u2019s Air Mobility and Maritime Missions division, McLean oversees 6,000 employees at three of the company\u2019s primary aircraft production facilities. In 2024, his team delivered the 2,700th C-130 Hercules tactical airliner, which has been made in Marietta for 70 years. He serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJannine Miller, MBA 2013 \u2013 Executive Director, SRTA, GRTA, and Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESelected to lead the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, and the State Road and Tollway Authority in 2023, Miller has overseen the early stages of a $4 billion project to construct and operate 16 miles of express lanes on GA 400. Construction is slated to begin in the second half of 2025 and be completed in 2031.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EValerie Montgomery Rice, Chem 1983 \u2013 President and Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERice has led the Morehouse School of Medicine for the past decade and recently\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Esecured the largest gift in the school\u2019s history \u2014 a $175 million donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Rice is committed to the creation and advancement of health equity, and during her tenure, the number of Morehouse\u0027s M.D. candidates has doubled.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHonorary Degrees:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEd Bastian, HON Ph.D. 2024 \u2013 CEO, Delta Airlines\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the same year that the Delta CEO delivered the Commencement address to Georgia Tech undergraduates and was awarded an honorary degree from the Institute, Bastian won the Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics from the Bernstein Center for Leadership \u2014 exemplifying the highest standards of professional conduct and ethical decision-making. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERaphael Bostic, HON Ph.D. 2022 \u2013 President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeading the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Bostic is responsible for its monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, and payment services. He serves on the Federal Open Market Committee, the monetary policymaking body of the Federal Reserve System.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames Quincey, HON Ph.D. 2020 \u2013 Chair and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor his efforts to transform Coca-Cola into \u201ca total beverage company\u201d and continued work in the community, Quincey was awarded the 2024 Yale Legend in Leadership Award.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChris Womack, HON Ph.D. 2023 \u2013 President, CEO, and Chair, Southern Company\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2024, Southern Company completed its expansion project at Plant Vogtle, making it the nation\u0027s largest generator of clean energy. Responding to the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, the power company mobilized over 20,000 personnel across the country to restore power and critical infrastructure for customers. Womack was honored by the Anti-Defamation League for his work with the Metro Atlanta Chamber to address the city\u2019s challenges.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"These Georgia Tech alumni are making a difference across the public and private sectors.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThese Georgia Tech alumni are making a difference across the public and private sectors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"These Georgia Tech alumni are making a difference across the public and private sectors.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2025-01-09 17:20:23","changed_gmt":"2025-01-09 17:29:35","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675984":{"id":"675984","type":"image","title":"2025 GA Trend","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Trend 2025 Influential Georgians - Top row (from left to right):\u0026nbsp;Brian Blake,\u0026nbsp;\u00c1ngel Cabrera,\u0026nbsp;Lisa Cupid,\u0026nbsp;Andre Dickens,\u0026nbsp;Roderick McLean. Bottom row:\u0026nbsp;Jannine Miller, Valerie Montgomery Rice,\u0026nbsp;Ed Bastian\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003ERaphael Bostic,\u0026nbsp;James Quincey, Chris Womack.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1736443488","gmt_created":"2025-01-09 17:24:48","changed":"1736443716","gmt_changed":"2025-01-09 17:28:36","alt":"Georgia Trend 100 Influential Georgians","file":{"fid":"259674","name":"2025 GA Trend - GT.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/09\/2025%20GA%20Trend%20-%20GT.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/09\/2025%20GA%20Trend%20-%20GT.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":92421,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/09\/2025%20GA%20Trend%20-%20GT.jpg?itok=9-HJ-nOn"}}},"media_ids":["675984"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"}],"keywords":[{"id":"11644","name":"Georgia Trend"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}