Founders Award For Civic Leadership

The Founders Award for Civic Leadership acknowledges an individual of national stature for his or her contributions in the stewardship of our nation’s communities. The men and women who receive this award are recognized as individuals whose lives reflect a unique leadership that have a significant impact on the quality of life for people across America.

Sam A. Williams is a professor at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. He recently retired as President of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Throughout his 17 year presidency he played an integral role in progressing the Atlanta Metropolitan Region. He was a leading member of the business community in recruiting the Centennial Olympic Games to Atlanta in 1996 and in planning the development of Centennial Olympic Park after the games, resulting in the Georgia Aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the College Football Hall of Fame. He led the private sector economic recruitment post-Olympics, resulting in an influx of financial investment and infrastructure improvements and a global mindset, now experiencing investments from over 2,800 foreign companies.

Sam was a key leader in helping change the controversial state flag of Georgia. He managed a coalition to solve regional water issues resulting from litigation between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia over the Chattahoochee River. Under his leadership, the Chamber helped restructure Grady Memorial Hospital, saving it from foreclosure and helping business leaders raise $350 million for its rehabilitation. During his Chamber tenure, Sam raised more than $300 million for economic development, marketing, and public policy efforts, creating regional economic and public policy strategies with Atlanta’s Fortune 1,000 CEOs.

Previously, he was a leading partner in John Portman’s architecture and development firm for 22 years creating major urban developments in Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Jeddah. He started his career by serving as an assistant to Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen. Among other honors upon retirement, he received the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

His new book, The CEO as Urban Statesman, from Mercer University Press, profiles five metro cities where business leaders created public-private partnerships to solve major public policy problems or take advantage of economic development opportunities.