The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) announces the launch of a new Public Policy Advisory board, led by Richard J. Dugas, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of PulteGroup and Beth Adcock Shiroishi, president of AT&T – Georgia. It will provide guidance and important feedback to MAC’s public policy staff as the Chamber advocates for pro-business policies and initiatives.

“The Public Policy Advisory Board, which includes several 2015 MAC board members, can serve as a powerful voice for advocating for the business community’s positions,” said Dugas. “It is critical we keep building a strong business voice with our elected officials and advance our policy priorities further and faster.”

The Public Policy Advisory Board will work with MAC’s public policy department led by Katie Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick has been promoted to chief policy officer to lead MAC’s efforts, which encompass quality of life issues such as business climate, workforce, education, transportation and environment. As signaled at its Annual Meeting, MAC’s leadership is taking a more vocal stance on policy and quality of life issues. Larry Gellerstedt, president and CEO, Cousins Properties, Incorporated and 2015 MAC chair, notes the importance of advocating for a strong business climate.

“The Metro Atlanta Chamber has two missions: advancing economic growth and improving the quality of life in our region,” Gellerstedt said. “We know that tackling critical quality of life issues is important for driving growth and investment in the region, and we are committed to taking a more active voice for the business community. I look forward to working with Katie and her team this year.”

Kirkpatrick previously served as senior vice president of policy, innovation and entrepreneurship. Prior to her SVP role, she was the vice president of environmental affairs for MAC, a role in which she was responsible for leading the Chamber’s public policy work on water, air and quality growth issues.  A key part of her role focused on bringing the region’s environmental stakeholders together to find long-term solutions to pressing sustainability issues.