AYSPS Alumni Among 500 Most Influential Leaders in Georgia

ATLANTA – Georgia Trend magazine has named three Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS) alumni to its inaugural Georgia 500, a list of the most influential leaders across the state. They join Georgia State University President M. Brian Blake and Ambassador Andrew Young, who was recognized as a “living legend.”

The honorees are acknowledged as local leaders who drive Georgia’s economy to new heights each year. The AYSPS honorees are:

• Jerry Gonzalez (M.P.A. ’05), the founder and CEO of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.
• Ann L. Hanlon (M.P.A. ’04), the executive director of Perimeter Community Improvement Districts.
• Jannine M. Miller (M.P.A. ’02), who was recently named executive director of the State Road and Tollway Authority.

“Our alumni are making significant contributions to the state of Georgia,” said AYSPS Interim Dean Ann-Margaret Esnard. “We are always proud when their gifts and efforts are acknowledged.”

Blake, the university’s eighth president, was honored for his Research Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) challenge, which has divided $2.5 million in research grants among five multidisciplinary, next-generation research ideas.

Georgia Trend chose its list of influential Georgians after a multiple-month selection process. These honorees are considered integral to Georgia’s economy and leadership.

Only a small number are recognized as “living legends,” including Young, who was recognized for helping change the course of history as a civil rights leader.

Georgia Trend honored Young, the college’s namesake, for his remarkable legacy as a civic activist, elected official, groundbreaking ambassador, social entrepreneur and adviser to presidents. His accolades include leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and becoming the first Black ambassador to the United Nations. He helped draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also made significant contributions to Atlanta’s economic development during two terms as Atlanta’s mayor.

– By Ashley Thompson, M.A. in Communication candidate