On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Council for Quality Growth held its 16th Annual Community Improvement District (CID) Recognition Event in honor of John Heagy, Retired Partner at Hines and Past Chair of the DeKalb Perimeter CID, and Kevin Green, President & CEO of Midtown Alliance & Midtown Improvement District. Over 200 regional leaders and CID professionals gathered at Portman’s Ten Twenty Spring, in the heart of the Midtown Improvement District, to recognize the leadership shown by Heagy and Green over their long CID careers, and to celebrate the work of CIDs throughout the metro Atlanta region and state of Georgia. The 2025 CID Recognition Event was presented by Georgia Power, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Pond & Company.

From left: Michael Paris, Kevin Green, John Heagy, Clyde Higgs]

For 16 years, the Council’s CID Recognition Event has annually recognized the role our state’s 32 and counting CIDs play in the growth of metro Atlanta and Georgia. Since 2016, the Council for Quality Growth has also presented the CID Leadership Awards to carefully nominated and selected CID leaders that have greatly impacted the region.

John A. Heagy III, Retired Partner at Hines and Past Chair of the DeKalb Perimeter CID, received the 2025 John Williams CID Leadership Award. This award is given to a CID leader that has volunteered their time to serve a CID, usually as part of its Board of Directors. Heagy served on the DeKalb Perimeter CID Board since 2005 and as Chair since 2010, helping guide the Perimeter CIDs through a period of significant growth and transformation. 

Dan Buyers, Partner, Brokerage at McWhirter Realty Partners and the 2024 recipient of the John Williams CID Leadership Award, presented Heagy with this honor. In his acceptance, John reflected on the deep personal significance of receiving an award bearing the name of his longtime mentor and friend, the late John Williams. He praised Williams as a visionary leader whose legacy continues to shape community-oriented growth across Metro Atlanta and thanked his colleagues at the Perimeter Community Improvement District for their partnership and dedication over his two decades of service. “This award is very special to me,” said Heagy. “John Williams was not only a mentor and client, but also a great friend and a true champion for regional growth and quality of life across Metro Atlanta. I am humbled to be recognized with an award that bears his name.”

Kevin Green, President & CEO of Midtown Alliance & Midtown Improvement District (MID), received the Council’s 2025 CID Professional Excellence Award. This recognition is reserved for a CID industry professional that has dedicated their career to serving a CID in a position of leadership. Since joining Midtown Alliance in 2011, Green has led transformative projects and programs that have enhanced Midtown’s livability, safety, and economic growth. His vision and leadership continue to shape Midtown into one of the most dynamic and successful urban districts in the Southeast. 

Jim Durrett, Executive Director of the Buckhead CID and the 2023 recipient of the CID Professional Excellence Award, presented Green with this honor. Green reflected on his time leading the Midtown Alliance and Improvement District, calling it “the best job on the planet” and crediting its success to strong leadership, exceptional staff, and dedicated partners. He emphasized the value of volunteer leaders who “take off their corporate hats and put on their district hats,” enabling transformative projects like the acquisition of four acres on 14th Street and the delivery of $20 million in capital improvements—84% of which leveraged outside funding. “Georgia’s CIDs are truly one-of-a-kind,” said Green. “The people who come to the table and make the deepest contributions are what move our region forward. I’m deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of our organization and our partners who make this work possible.” 

“John Heagy and Kevin Green exemplify the visionary leadership, collaboration, and commitment that continue to strengthen Metro Atlanta’s CID network,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “Their contributions have shaped two of our region’s most vibrant business districts, and the Council is proud to recognize their lasting impact and the continued success of our CIDs.” 

George Crews with Georgia Power, Ann Hanlon with Perimeter CIDs, and Ricky Clark with Pond also delivered remarks on behalf of their companies in support of CIDs. Several CID leaders provided updates on their ongoing projects, including Gerald McDowell, Kim Menefee, Robert Michener, Tad Leithead, and Tracy Styf.

CIDs work year-round to enhance the quality of life here across metro Atlanta and Georgia. The Council is proud to partner with our regional CIDs and to support the newly established CIDs as they become activated across the state. Since the advent of CIDs more than 35 years ago, they have proven to be an economic catalyst for development, serving their communities through infrastructure improvements, transportation initiatives, beautification and trail projects, public safety support, and many other types of projects. This is the 16^th year the Council for Quality Growth has held this event to convene and acknowledge the CID industry and the 10^th year presenting the CID Award to deserving leaders.

For more details about Community Improvement Districts or the 16^th Annual CID Recognition, please visit www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org/CIDs.