David Cummings, Chair of Downtown Atlanta Inc., shared his excitement: “I am delighted to welcome Kyle as the next leader of Downtown ATL. Following a thoughtful and comprehensive search led by Sam Pettway at Boardwalk Consulting, and a search committee under the leadership of Egbert Perry, Craig Jones, Andrea Farley, Curley Dossman, Terri Lasoff and myself, we are thrilled to have found someone who will harness the tremendous energy generated by Downtown’s recent growth and FIFA success and help guide Downtown into its next chapter.” 

Waide joined the Atlanta Community Food Bank in 2012 and became the organization’s second President and CEO in 2015, succeeding the Food Bank’s iconic founder, Bill Bolling. Waide led the Food Bank through a decade of dramatic growth and expansion, including its move to a new 345,000-square-foot East Point facility, one of the largest food bank facilities in the country.  

“I love both the city we are today and the city I believe we can become,” said Waide. “Downtown is central to Atlanta’s identity and the face we present to the world. This is a moment of great possibility, and I am humbled by the opportunity to build on AJ Robinson’s extraordinary legacy, and the work Downtown Atlanta Inc. has already accomplished.” Waide expressed enthusiasm to work with staff, membership and partners to realize Downtown’s potential for the future. “Together, we can build a Downtown that offers a world-class experience to everyone who comes here to live, work, learn, and play.” 

Waide expressed gratitude for his time serving the city and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “I am so proud of the work we did together to connect more of our neighbors with food, resources, and opportunity. We were able to build on Bill Bolling’s legacy as the founder of the Food Bank and dramatically grew the organization’s impact while engaging more of our community in the fight to end hunger. I have the utmost confidence in our board of directors and the team we’ve built together. Atlanta needs the Atlanta Community Food Bank now more than ever, and I know its best days are yet to come.” 

Waide’s legacy of innovation has touched every aspect of the Food Bank’s work. From quadrupling its annual distribution to launching multiple new initiatives to expand food access, growing financial and volunteer support, and strengthening its network of 700 nonprofit partners, his leadership has transformed the Food Bank’s ability to meet the evolving needs and challenges of our community. He brings to Downtown Atlanta Inc. a record of building coalitions across sectors and among diverse stakeholders, driving fundraising and revenue growth, influencing policymakers across parties and at all levels of government, leading transformational change, building high-performing teams and cultures, and delivering results. 

“Our board is grateful for Kyle's leadership and glad that Atlanta will keep benefiting from it,” said Althea Broughton, Chair, Atlanta Community Food Bank Board of Directors. “The Atlanta Community Food Bank is stronger today than at any point in its history. That strength makes this an appropriate moment for a new leader to bring a fresh perspective to what is possible next, building upon the organization’s rich history of impact and enduring commitment to the community.”  “We will conduct a thoughtful, deliberate search for a leader who shares our values and keeps neighbors, partners, and staff at the center of the work. In the meantime, we have an exceptional team in place at the Food Bank, a strong succession plan, and a highly engaged board. We will continue to serve our neighbors and partners with excellence and look forward to honoring Kyle’s legacy by building an even better Food Bank for the future.” 

Waide will lead Downtown Atlanta Inc., the umbrella organization bringing together the former Central Atlanta Progress (CAP), that has championed Downtown Atlanta’s future since 1941, and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID), which has served Downtown since 1996.  

AJ Robinson expressed his enthusiasm for the committee’s selection. “It’s wonderful to see Kyle selected to lead Downtown Atlanta Inc. He brings expertise that will benefit so many aspects of Downtown’s work. I have known Kyle for many years and have long admired his leadership. I look forward to supporting him as he leads Downtown into this next chapter.” 

The search committee began its work in April of 2026 under the leadership of Egbert Perry, CEO, Integral Group; longtime member of Central Atlanta Progress and former board Chair. “As chair of the search committee, I knew we had a significant responsibility: finding the right leader to follow someone with AJ’s experience and legacy,” said Egbert Perry. “But when we met Kyle, we saw his vision and his plans for Downtown Atlanta.  It became clear that Kyle is the right person at the right time to lead Downtown Atlanta Inc.”