How Collaboration Is Shaping the Future of the Aerotropolis and Clayton County

Dec 10, 2025
1 min read

Strong leadership was on full display, from Shannon James, President and CEO of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Inc, to keynote insights from Ricky Smith, General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It was also great hearing from Karyn Greer as Mistress of Ceremony, along with perspectives from Walter Vinson, IAP, Diana Léon Brown, MS MBA, Dr. Anthony Smith, Carol Waddy, CDP, and Axel Adams, MBA.

The panel on the Flint River Gateway Trails and the Atlanta BeltLine South extension highlighted how transportation, economic development, and community connection all move forward when partners stay aligned. Clayton County’s role in these conversations continues to be front and center.

Regional partnerships matter. Showing up together makes a difference. Always glad to help share what’s happening locally through The Best of Clayton County, where we spotlight conversations, projects, and people shaping our community.

Always great to see

Chairwoman Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry

Commissioner Alaina Reaves

Mayor Teresa Thomas-Smith

Mayor Donya Sartor, PhD

Mayor Mario Avery

Mayor Marci Fluellyn and Councilwoman Rebekah Wright, Ed.D

Brandon McCarden and Kayla Chase

Valencia White and Brian Dorelus

Rick E. Cunningham, RA. F.SAME

Great to see you after so long Steve Bullard. Can’t say enough about Michael Hightower

Always a pleasure Doug Hooker.