Today, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena announced the promotion of George Turner to Senior Vice President, while Centennial Yards Company named him Chief Security Officer for the 50-acre development.

Turner joined the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena organization in 2017 after a 35-year career with the Atlanta Police Department, including six years as Chief of Police, and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Safety and Security.

Turner, in his expanded role, will play a critical part in shaping the security strategy for Centennial Yards and the surrounding district adjacent to State Farm Arena. His leadership will be instrumental as Centennial Yards advances its long‑term vision for the district.

“When we hired Chief Turner in 2017 to join the Hawks and State Farm Arena, we believed this opportunity would present itself within Centennial Yards and that he had the experience and credibility to oversee a world-class sports and entertainment district,” said Steve Koonin, President & Chief Executive Officer. “As more venues, restaurants and attractions begin opening their doors, the district is fortunate to have such a highly respected expert leading our safety and security operations.”

Centennial Yards continues to build strong development momentum with Cosm’s immersive entertainment venue opening in 2026, followed by a 5,300-seat Live Nation venue slated for 2027. The Mitchell, a 304-unit residential tower, opened on September 1, with the 292-key Hotel Phoenix following on December 1. The district’s expanding food and beverage lineup includes Shake Shack and the modern Irish pub The Irish Exit joining the Entertainment District, while Khao Thai Isan’s Thai tapas concept and Atlanta icon The Busy Bee Café will open at The Mitchell.

Even with this strong pipeline, Centennial Yards is only just getting started, with significant additional development planned across the full 50 acres in the years ahead.

“We are thrilled to welcome George Turner to our team at such a pivotal moment, as we shift from construction to activating a dynamic district filled with restaurants, retail, and immersive experiences,” said Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards. “Our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming environment is unwavering, and George’s leadership will play a critical role in this next chapter of our transformation.”

During his tenure with the city of Atlanta, Turner was well-respected by constituencies and as Chief of Police, he helped build morale within the department, forged relationships with the business community, and focused on community policing. Crime in the city of Atlanta decreased significantly under his watch. In the six-plus years as Police Chief, overall violent crime rate was reduced by more than 27 percent.

“I’m truly honored to continue serving my hometown and supporting the millions of residents and visitors who come downtown for games, concerts, and major events,” said Turner. “As Atlanta continues to welcome world‑class events and as Centennial Yards evolves into the city’s next great neighborhood, my priority is ensuring that the Sports and Entertainment District remains a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable destination for everyone.”

For more information on Centennial Yards, visit CentennialYards.com.