The Development Authority of Fulton County ushers in 2021 with new board leadership, a new executive director to be selected during the first quarter and continued optimism for economic development opportunities throughout Fulton County.  

The newly elected DAFC board officers include (full biographies provided at the end of release):  

Michel M. Turpeau, Chairman – A lifelong Atlanta resident and President of The Aaron Group, Inc. (TAG), Turpeau has spent his career working with leaders across industries to bring jobs and economic opportunity to the area. Under his leadership, TAG is vested in the transportation industry, affordable housing and inclusionary economic mobility. When he provided staffing services at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, his company was the first to source 100% of its employees from the local workforce program guaranteeing jobs for Fulton County residents. Turpeau helped establish DAFC as the first economic development authority with inclusionary goals for Minority and Female Business Enterprise (MFBE). He also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Joint Development Authority of Metro Atlanta.

State Sen. Brandon Beach, Vice Chairman – An Alpharetta resident, Sen. Brandon Beach has played a prominent role in economic development not only in Fulton County, but throughout Georgia. He understands the important role transit plays in both overall economic development and in the daily lives of Fulton County residents. He co-authored House Bill 930 which created the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) seeking to streamline the planning and funding of regional transit connectivity to provide equitable access to job centers and provide new or expanded service to better enable people living in under-resourced areas to meet their day-to-day needs using transit. As the executive director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID), he focuses on moving important infrastructure projects forward to build a stronger foundation for further growth. 

Samuel Bacote III, Treasurer – A lifelong Atlanta resident, Bacote’s career in investment banking spans across the County including as a former Senior Vice President at Jackson Securities, owned by former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. He is the former Chairman and CEO of the Fulton County/City of Atlanta Land Bank Authority. As a leader on numerous community boards, including the PATH Foundation, Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital and the Atlanta Association of Convalescent Aged Persons, Bacote is always working to improve the quality of life for all Fulton County residents.  

Dr. Samuel D. Jolley Jr., Secretary – A Fulton County resident for more than 25 years, Jolley has dedicated his life to education. After a distinguished career at Fort Valley State College (University) he served as the 14^th and 17^th President of Morris Brown College and as the CEO of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. for six years. He continues to serve the Fulton community through his church, Flipper Temple A.M.E, as Chairman of the Council of HBCU Past Presidents in Atlanta and as a member of the Kappa Boule' of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He currently represents the Development Authority of Fulton County as a member of the Board of Directors of the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

“I am eager to lead DAFC at such a pivotal moment when governments across our Country and close to home are cutting budgets due to the economic impact of the pandemic,” said Michel M. Turpeau, DAFC chairman. “Economic development opportunities, like the ones DAFC supports, are needed more than ever and the tax revenue generated from these projects can pay for essential government services such as public safety and education along with much needed infrastructure improvements and affordable housing.”

“My fellow board officers bring unique experiences and skill sets to their roles having spent years dedicated to serving the people of Fulton County,” Turpeau continued. “We will not be discouraged by those who call for restricting our ability to bring quality economic development to the entire County. In 2021, it will be even more important to work together and seek new ways to diversify the tax base, provide quality jobs, retain existing businesses and sustain the quality of life for all residents of Fulton County.” 

DAFC approved projects continue to bring major corporations like Microsoft, Amazon and PVH Corp. (Phillips-Van Heusen) to Fulton County adding to the existing tax base, providing infrastructure improvements and creating jobs for people with all levels of experience and education. 

The DAFC Board of Directors has also begun its search process for a new executive director. Al Nash, now serving in an interim role, announced his retirement last year and will support DAFC through the transition to a new leader which should come in the first quarter of 2021. 

With a new executive director in place, DAFC officers will look to create additional opportunities to educate the public on the use of tax incentives so they may gain a better understanding of the overall economic impact tax incentives can provide. DAFC also hopes to partner with developers and elected officials to seek ways to bring safe and affordable workforce housing to Fulton County, so police officers, firefighters, teachers and healthcare workers can live in the communities they serve.