Earlier this month Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan, a long-time Morningside homeowner and civic leader, announced his bid for the second-highest elected position in Atlanta government, Atlanta City Council President.

“My service on the Atlanta City Council has provided an incredible opportunity to participate directly in shaping our collective progress, while also deepening my faith in Atlanta’s continuing opportunities,” Wan says, “and I stand ready to further my commitment to our great city.”

He was first elected to the City Council District 6 post in 2009 and easily earned a second term in 2013 with 76 percent of the vote, both times garnering a broad base of support. In announcing his candidacy, Wan emphasized his deep roots in the community, long-time civic leadership, business acumen and his record during seven years at city hall.

“While we have made great strides in the last seven years and must continue along those trajectories, we still have work to do,” he says. “I’m eager to continue working on tough issues like transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing, operational efficiency, sound fiscal stewardship, public safety, individual and collective economic prosperity, and quality of life. I also look forward to continuing to move away from politics as usual, with genuinely collaborative engagement between all of the city’s stakeholders.”

Among the accomplishments Wan cites:

- Expanding the police force to more than 2,000 officers and reducing crime by double-digit percentages;

- Growing cash reserves from $7 million to over $150 million;

- Passing sweeping employee pension reform, which lowered annual pension expense and addressed the previously estimated $1.5 billion unfunded pension liability;

- Serving as a staunch and vocal supporter of the District’s neighborhoods, championing projects to improve quality of life, while fighting developments that would jeopardize communities.

On City Council, Wan has demonstrated leadership:

- Chair, Finance Executive Committee – which oversees the city’s $607 million annual general fund budget (2012-2016);

- Chair, Zoning Committee (2012);

- Chair, City Utilities Committee (2017);

- President Pro Tempore of Council (elected by his colleagues) (2015);

- Represented City Council on City of Atlanta Budget Commission (2010, 2012-2016); and

- In 2014, appointed to Mayor Reed’s Commission on Waste and Inefficiency in Government.

Wan is the first Asian American and first openly gay man to serve on Atlanta City Council. His professional experience includes the private, public, non-profit and higher-education sectors. He is (currently) Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Emory University.

Raised in Atlanta and a Morningside homeowner for over 20 years, Wan was perhaps best known before his Council win for long-time community involvement, including service on the Invest Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Development Authority) Board and founding For the Kid in All of Us, an all-volunteer non-profit serving children in need. He currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the Little Five Points Community Improvement District, and the Olmsted Linear Park Association.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School, and has completed educational programs at Dartmouth and Harvard.

“My background, experience and proven track record on City Council make me the best candidate for this job,” Wan says. “I share the commitment Atlanta leaders must have to fulfill the collective vision of those who live, work, and play here.”

The Atlanta City Council President is elected city wide, presiding at all Council meetings and voting in the event of a tie. The president of the Council also appoints chairs and members of the various committees. Council President also serves as vice mayor, acting for the mayor in certain instances. The Atlanta City Council President is elected for a four-year term, with the election to be held in November 2017, taking office in January 2018. Current City Council President Ceasar Mitchell is running for mayor.