Greg Giornelli Confirmed as New City COO
On Monday July 16, the Atlanta City Council confirmed the appointment of Greg Giornelli as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the City of Atlanta.
Giornelli replaces outgoing Chief Operating Officer Lynnette Young. Young has been appointed to head the City’s Future Sustainability Initiative, a component of the Greener Atlanta environmental program.
As City COO, Giornelli will provide policy direction and executive management over all 14 City departments, which includes the Executive Offices, Information Technology, Aviation, Fire, Police, Planning and Community Development and Watershed Management. Giornelli will also oversee operations for the City’s emergency management services (EMS) and its external operating agencies - Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) and the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA).
Giornelli formerly served as ADA president, the City agency charged with economic and community development and housing finance. Previously, he served as the City’s chief policy officer, reporting to Mayor Shirley Franklin on homelessness, ethics, affordable housing, parks and greenspace, and economic development issues.
“Greg Giornelli has broad experience in many aspects of city government and will bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the position,” said Mayor Franklin. “We embrace him and look forward to the City progressing and thriving under his leadership.”
Greg Giornelli, City of Atlanta Chief Operating Officer. |
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Atlanta Strengthens Relationship with China Providing Airport Security and Logistics Training
On the heels of Mayor Shirley Franklin’s endorsement to launch non-stop flights from Atlanta to China, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) hosted officials from China’s aviation industry to discuss airport security and logistics in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, to be held in Beijing.
On Friday, HJAIA shared the city’s experiences hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games with a 14-person delegation from China’s Civil Aviation General Administration and the Beijing Capital International Airport. CIFAL-Atlanta, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), presented the conference as part of the training and research curriculum they provide to government officials across the globe.
In 1996, HJAIA successfully managed airport security, hosted international dignitaries and worked with the foreign media to provide superior customer service during the Games. “Atlanta’s experiences can be of benefit to China, especially as their aviation sector experiences rapid growth,” said Robert Kennedy, HJAIA assistant general manager.
Since 2005, CIFAL-Atlanta and HJAIA have hosted best practice-sharing conferences for international airport officials and recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airports Council International, the worldwide association of airports, to continue its global programs. This year, they hosted two conferences that examine how airports can be leveraged to spur regional economic development. With support from Delta Airlines, HJAIA and CIFAL-Atlanta will host two additional conferences in Johannesburg, South Africa and Beijing, China.
Recognized globally as the world’s busiest airport, HJAIA welcomed more than 85 million passengers last year providing an economic impact of over $24 billion in metro Atlanta. CIFAL-Atlanta hosts about 20 conferences per year focusing on economic development, social development, environmental sustainability, gender equality and public health.
For more information about HJAIA, visit www.atlanta-airport.com. For more information on CIFAL-Atlanta, visit www.cifalatlanta.org.
Robert Kennedy (far right) HJAIA assistant general manager, welcomes Huang Dengke, Director General of China’s Civil Aviation General Administration while Alex Mejia (right) CIFAL-Atlanta executive director and Dong Zhiyi (left) General Manager, Beijing Capital International Airport look on. |
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Support Camp Best Friends as a 2007 Mayor’s Bowl Sponsor
On Tuesday September 25, Mayor Shirley Franklin and the City of Atlanta will host the 11th Annual Mayor’s Fundraiser, which provides the endowment for Camp Best Friends, the City’s premier summer program.
After 10 years of successfully hosting a golf tournament, this year the City will present the Mayor’s Bowl at upscale Ten Pin Alley in Atlantic Station. This evening tournament will be held from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.
All proceeds from the Mayor’s Bowl and Silent Auction benefit Camp Best Friends. For over 25 years, thousands of Atlanta parents and children have depended on Camp Best Friends to provide a safe, educational and fun respite during the summer months. Since its inception, Mayor’s fundraisers have contributed more than $1 million to the Camp Best Friends endowment fund.
Registration is currently underway. Sponsorship levels include:
- King Pin - $25,000. Includes company banner; bowling for four (4) teams at four (4) persons each; 20 admissions to Mayor’s VIP reception; company logo on press materials; and company recognition in event video.
- Lucky Strike - $10,000. Includes complimentary food, beverages, bowling and shoes for three (3) bowling teams; Promotional and logo recognition; and 15 admissions to Mayor’s VIP reception.
- Dutch 200 - $7,500. Includes complimentary food, beverages, bowling and shoes for two (2) bowling teams; bowling shirts for team members; promotional and logo recognition; and 10 admissions to Mayor’s VIP reception.
- Ten Pin – $5,000. Includes complimentary food, beverages, bowling and shoes for one (1) bowling team; Bowling shirts for team members; and 5 admissions to Mayor’s VIP reception.
For more information, visit click here.
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City Hosts Two Community Blood Drives
Two City of Atlanta departments – Aviation (DOA) and Human Resources (DHR) – will host community blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross.
On Thursday July 26 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) will host its third annual blood drive inside the Executive Offices Gateway Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Airport Atrium. The blood drive will be held in partnership with the new airport AeroClinic. All blood types are needed. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good general health.
On Friday August 3 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., DHR will host its third quarterly blood drive in the City Hall Atrium, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, 30303. DHR hopes to donate at least 120 pints of blood to the Red Cross.
The American Red Cross receives 80 percent of blood donations at blood drives set up at community organizations, companies, high schools, colleges, places of worship and military installations. Metro Atlanta leads the nation in minority blood donations and City of Atlanta employees hold the distinction of collecting the most. In 2006, the City was honored for collecting a record 355 pints of blood for the period July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006.
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Delta Air Lines hopes Atlanta will be the next gateway to China. Working with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and other partners, the airline is vying for non-stop flights to Shanghai and Beijing. Click here to go to the VOD page where you can watch the news conference.
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Rave Reviews!
- The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) welcomes Viveka Bizzell as its new Public Information Manager. Bizzell is responsible for developing and implementing public relations and marketing strategies to leverage current projects and launch new initiatives; building relationships with partnering agencies and community organizations; and serving as a liaison on community-based task forces, committees and teams. She will serve as the point-of-contact for all departmental external communications and projects including Affordable Workforce Housing, Code Compliance, Mortgage Assistance, Beltline, Permitting Improvements, Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Atlanta Strategic Action Plan and others. You may contact Bizzell at 404.330.6378 or vnbizzell@atlantaga.gov.
Viveka Bizzell joins the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) as its Public Information Manager. |
- Congratulations to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) for earning Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding community service during Congressman John Lewis’ Multi-Cultural Festival, held on June 10. Special congratulations go out t Ken Gillett, City Parks Director; Valarie Benning-Barney, Cultural Affairs Project Supervisor; Tova Baruch, Parks Special Events Coordinator; Gale Daugherty, Park Reservations and Rick Willis, Parks District Maintenance.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunties
- On Saturday, August 11 from 8:30 – 11 a.m., Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington will host a Public Safety Forum at the Georgia Power Corporate Headquarters-Auditorium, 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30308. A light breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. The forum begins at 9:00 am.
- The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) will host its Summer Mural Dedications beginning Wednesday, July 25 – Saturday July 28. The Summer Murals Program is an OCA initiative that partners children, artists and community organizations to create four murals and a series of mosaics for installation in four City of Atlanta parks and one recreation center. On Wednesday July 25 at 3:00 p.m. a mural will be unveiled at A.D. Williams Recreation Center located at 1154 James Jackson Parkway. On Thursday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m., a mural will be unveiled at John Howell Park located at Virginia Avenue and Barnett Street. On Friday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m., a mural will be unveiled at Boulevard Angier Park located at Boulevard and Angier Avenue. On Saturday, July 28 at 4:00 pm, a mural will be unveiled at Parkway Angier Park located at Parkway and Angier Avenue. For more information, visit www.ocaatlanta.com.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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