Frankie Atwater
President and CEO @Dekalb Chamber Of Commerce Georgia
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WORK HISTORY
President and CEO @Dekalb Chamber Of Commerce Georgia
Decatur, GA, US
Lead the repositioning of one of Georgia’s most influential chambers as a force in economic growth, public policy, and community engagement. Guide the Board in refining mission and vision, accelerate membership and revenue growth, and elevate the Chamber as a trusted partner to government, business, and education- Increase membership 38% and revenue 350%(three-year period), exceeding growth targets and expanding organizational impact-Implement strategies, systems, and initiatives that enhance member value, improve operational performance, and strengthen financial sustainability-Forge partnerships with municipal, county, state, and federal entities; launch programs that support small businesses and expand equitable access to capital in collaboration with banks and CDFIs-Maintain high visibility across DeKalb County; coordinate initiatives with school districts, elected officials, and business leaders to drive regional economic development-Direct all operational, financial, and fundraising activities to sustain growth and align resources with community priorities-Lead public policy advocacy, representing member interests and advancing a pro-business environment-Convene education leaders to forge the Dream DeKalb Alliance, strengthening countywide collaboration to advance education and workforce readiness.
EDUCATION
Drake University
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Public Administration
Iowa State University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
SKILLS
ABOUT FRANKIE ATWATER
I am a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience leading complex organizations, large-scale operations, and public-private investment strategies across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. I translate strategy into execution at scale, aligning policy, capital, and stakeholders to drive measurable economic growth and organizational performance. My leadership has delivered statewide impact, including work across Illinois supporting major, mid-sized, and small communities, bringing together elected officials, institutional partners, and private sector leaders to move high-impact initiatives from concept to funded, scalable results.I have structured and executed nine-figure investment strategies and led governance and operational reforms that strengthened compliance, improved transparency, and restored public trust. My experience includes overseeing more than $3 billion in public resources, stabilizing a large-scale economic development loan portfolio, and expanding access to capital for communities. Known for disciplined execution and accountability, I bring strength in strategic negotiations, intergovernmental relations, multi-source financial management, and performance-driven operations to deliver sustainable, long-term outcomes.
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