Media Contact: Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, jerry@galeo.org, 6678.691.1086
(Norcross, Georgia) – January 2, 2020 – For a eighth time, Georgia Trend Magazine has named Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, as one of the “100 Most Influential Georgians” for 2020.
“On behalf of GALEO’s Board of Directors, we congratulate Jerry for being recognized as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Georgians. We are excited and proud to have Jerry’s contributions to this State once again recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine. GALEO’s work to activate and engage the Latino electorate has increased the Latino community’s influence in Georgia. We have no doubt that under Jerry’s leadership, GALEO will continue to expand its impact on our community,” said Jason Esteves, Chair of GALEO and Chair of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education.
For a first, the list also added several other Latinx leaders, making 2020 the most Latinos on the list on record: Ozzie Areu, Founder & CEO, Areu Bros. Studios; Santiago Marquez, President & CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Ivan Shammas,General Manager & General Sales Manager, Telemundo Atlanta.
From Georgia Trend Magazine, January 2020:
“There are no secrets to success,” said former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. “It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”
His description could apply to the individuals included in Georgia Trend’s 22nd annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. It’s a remarkable assemblage of people who prepare, work hard and have contributed to making life better for Georgians.
In this year’s list, you’ll find CEOs, politicians, college presidents and economic development leaders, among others, who have challenged, inspired and spearheaded efforts to bring about positive change in virtually every corner of the Peach State. Some are very public figures, while others work quietly behind the scenes. Many have helmed private businesses and helped shape industries, while some are leaders of government, healthcare and nonprofit organizations. All are tireless and passionate in pursuit of their vision for a better Georgia.
“100 Most Influential Georgians” list include:
- David Abney, Chair & CEO of UPS
- Stacey Abrams, Founder & Chair, Fair Fight
- Ozzie Areu, Founder & CEO, Areu Bros. Studios
- Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines
- Mark Becker, President, Georgia State University
- Gary Black, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Agriculture
- Paul Bowers, Chair, President & CEO, Georgia Power
- Karen Bremer, CEO, Georgia Restaurant Association
- Chris Carr, Attorney General of Georgia
- Ben Chestnut, Co-founder & CEO, MailChimp
- Chris Clark, President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
- Geoff Duncan, Lt. Governor of Georgia
- Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, GALEO
- Steve Gooch, Majority Whip, Georgia Senate
- Jan Jones, Speaker Pro-Tempore, Georgia House of Representatives
- Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia
- Milton Little, President & CEO, United way of Greater Atlanta
- Santiago Marquez, President & CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Nick Masino, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
- Sharon Mason, President & CEO, Cobb Chamber of Commerce
- Penelope McPhee, President & Director, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Vice-President, Atlanta Falcons
- Craig Menear, Chair, CEO & President, The Home Depot
- Butch Miller, President Pro-Tem, Georgia Senate
- Jere Morehead, President, University of Georgia
- Charlotte Nash, Chair, Gwinnett County Commission
- Jeffrey Parker, CEO & General Manager, MARTA
- David Perdue, U.S. Senator
- Tyler Perry, Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, CEO, Tyler Perry Studios
- James Quincy, President & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
- David Ralston, Speaker, Georgia House of Representatives
- David Shafer, State Chair, Georgia Republican Party
- Ivan Shammas,General Manager & General Sales Manager, Telemundo Atlanta
- Michael Thurmond, CEO, DeKalb County
- Nikema Williams, State Senator & Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia
Read more online:
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO & the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund biography is online here:
