The Metro Atlanta Chamber was honored Tuesday as Georgia’s ‘Top Business or Trade Association’ by James Magazine at its annual award reception in Buckhead.
Chief Policy Officer Katie Kirkpatrick was on hand to accept the award from James publisher Phil Kent, along with VP of Government Affairs Dave Williams, Director of Government Affairs Leanna Brown, and Project Manager Natalie Simpson. The Metro Atlanta Chamber was voted as the top association by James readers and featured in the September/October ‘Top Lobbyists’ issue of the magazine.
(L-R) – Dave Williams, Natalie Simpson, James publisher Phil Kent, Katie Kirkpatrick, & Leanna Brown
If you’ve seen Georgia’s business climate rankings in recent years, it should come as no surprise that the Metro Atlanta Chamber received so many votes. The Chamber works closely with state and city of Atlanta officials to ensure that the state remains as business-friendly as possible – a wildly successful mission if you look at some of the companies that have relocated here in recent years.
MACOC’s government affairs team is among the best known and best respected under the Gold Dome, working to advance the business-friendly priorities that have boosted the state’s economy over so many of its neighbors in recent years.
Also honored was the Chamber’s Leanna Brown as James‘ top ‘Rising Star’ of 2018. The ‘Rising Stars’ category honors registered lobbyists in the state who have been working in the industry for three years or less. Again, no surprise that the Metro Atlanta Chamber has produced such a highly regarded young talent, and no surprise that she was voted by her peers as the top ‘rising star’ in the industry.
Phil Kent with ‘Rising Star’ Leanna Brown
Expect to see her join name towards the top of James’ overall ‘Top Registered Lobbyists’ list sooner rather than later – Kirkpatrick, Williams, and VP of Business Climate Marshall Guest were all in the top 5 of those rankings in 2018.
