Former Mayor Shares Economic Development Tips With Leadership Sandy Springs

By Anne Boatwright

Leadership Sandy Springs (LSS) presented its twice annual Breakfast Buzz event last week at Morgan Falls Café featuring keynote speaker Former Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd.

Attended by local community leaders and LSS alumni and guests, Floyd on Nov. 5 spoke from his long-term experience on economic development and how it can be used as an effective tool for building small businesses, great restaurants and desirable residential properties.

In line with LSS’ theme of building community, Floyd shared his experiences in fostering collaboration between the rich Decatur culture of businesses, volunteers and the arts community.

A graduate of Leadership DeKalb, Floyd understands the importance of leadership skills on a community level. Having worked successfully in local government as one of the longest-serving mayors for Decatur and in a variety of other elected and civic offices, Floyd is currently using his knowledge to help The Pendleton Group uncover new and creative solutions to assist businesses and communities realize their full potential.

Floyd acknowledging the great diversity in Sandy Springs and challenged businesses to give employees time and space to think ahead, and figure out what they want and how to do their jobs better versus doing their jobs 50 hours a week.

In closing, Floyd imparted his encouragement and challenge:

“I envy you,” he said. “You’re in a great spot to make a real transformation in your community.”

Photo: Kelly Barge, LSS alumni and president of Level Ground, Inc (a post-prison reentry mentoring program) shares ideas with Bill Floyd, right, after the event. Credit: Leadership Sandy Springs