Sam Massell to receive 2012 Four Pillar Award for leadership from Council for Quality Growth Thursday

The Council for Quality Growth will pay tribute to Sam Massell,, former Mayor of Atlanta and president of the Buckhead Coalition, with its 23^nd annual leadership award at the Four Pillar Tribute at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center. 

The theme of the evening and title of the Video Tribute is, “Public Service, Civic Pride.”

Sam Massell speaking in September to the
Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods meeting. 

Paying tribute to Massell and the “Four Pillars” of leadership and success—Quality, Responsibility, Vision and Integrity—are former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, former U.S. Senator David Gambrell, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and CEO of Atlanta Fine Homes Jenny Pruitt. 

Along with them, Juanita Baranco, CEO of Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead; Dr. Mark Becker, president of Georgia State University, and Bernie Marcus, chairman of the Marcus Foundation, will serve as co-chairs of the dinner.  Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell will act as emcee and Mayor Kasim Reed will give welcome remarks.    

Massell, a life-long resident of Atlanta and resident of Buckhead has had successful careers in real estate brokerage, elected office, the field of tourism and association management. 

He spent 20 years as a realtor as vice-president of Allen-Grayson Realty Company, one of the City’s largest commercial brokerage firms.  During that time, Massell became extensively active in a wide range of civic work which eventually led to the political arena.  He served eight years as president of Atlanta’s Board of Aldermen (now Atlanta City Council) and four years as mayor.

Following his years in public service, he opened a tourism business in Buckhead called Your Travel Agent Sam Massell which he ran for 13 years.

He currently is founder and president of the prestigious Buckhead Coalition.  This organization of CEOs of major businesses in Buckhead pooled their strengths to nurture the quality of life and guide the orderly growth of Buckhead.

“Sam Massell is responsible for many of the programs that have left a lasting legacy on our region,” said Michael Paris, president and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “His administration is credited with establishing MARTA, building the first enclosed arena in Atlanta (the Omni) and improving the Five Points district with Central City Woodruff Park, all without raising taxes,” Paris added.

“Buckhead has become the ‘Jewel of the South’ and that’s due, in no small part to the creation of the Buckhead Coalition and having Sam Massell as its steward.” Council Chairman Doug Dillard adds. 

Massell served as President of the National League of Cities, and on the Board of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.  He is currently on a number of Boards including Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Historical Society and Atlanta Speech School. 

In addition, Massell is in the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau “Hospitality Hall of Fame”; International Civil Rights Kings Center “Walk of Fame”; Georgia State University Robinson College “Business Hall of Fame”, and Georgia Trend Magazine “Most Influential Georgians Hall of Fame.”