Page 7 - 2013 FINAL DCOC Annual Report

Partnership with Leadership DeKalb

The DeKalb Chamber in partnership with Leadership DeKalb
hosted a special breakfast forum entitled, “Eggs and Issues:
45 Days on the Job: A Conversation with DeKalb Interim
School Superintendent, Michael Thurmond.”

Made available exclusively for DeKalb Chamber and
Leadership DeKalb members, the forum was strategically
held on Superintendent Thurmond’s 45th day on the job.
Thurmond addressed concerns regarding DeKalb’s
school board and its education system at the heavily
attended event.
LEONARDO MCCLARTY AND MARIA BALAIS WELCOME GUESTS DURING
The conversation-style forum, held at the Callonwolde Fine COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM WITH LEADERSHIP DEKALB
Arts Center in Atlanta, was moderated by Denis O’Hayer,
local news host of WABE-FM radio and was among a
series of forums held by the DeKalb Chamber to facilitate
and encourage communication and dialogue between
DeKalb’s businesses and its community.

Moving forward in its ongoing commitment to boost
business growth and success in DeKalb County, the
Chamber again partnered with Leadership DeKalb
and Development Authority of DeKalb County (DADC)
to host a panel discussion on economic development
last August.
DENIS O’HAYER AND MICHAEL THURMOND DISCUSS DEKALB SCHOOL
“Fighting for Prosperity in DeKalb: A Distinguished SYSTEM EDUCATION TOPICS
Dialogue,” was held at the Porter Sanford Performing
Arts and Community Center and moderated by Maria
Saporta, a freelance journalist and weekly contributor to
the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The educational panel
included Luz Borrero, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for
DeKalb County; Pedro Cherry, Vice President of Community
and Economic Development for Georgia Power; and Mary
Ellen McClanahan, Director of Entrepreneur and Small
Business Development for Georgia Department of
Economic Development, among others.

MICHAEL THURMOND LISTENS TO DEKALB SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING
EGGS AND ISSUES BREAKFAST

07
2013 ANNUAL REPORT