James_March-April_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 18
We again present our popular yearly roster of major business, political and media players
from across the state. Space is always a factor in doing such a compilation, so in addition to
the bio pro昀椀les are charts of the state’s in昀氀uential public servants ranging from prominent
elected of昀椀ce-holders and Georgia’s public university presidents to mayors of major cities
and state Appeals and Supreme Court justices.
MASON AILSTOCK
CHARLIE BAILEY
PRESIDENT & CEO, ROWEN
CHAIRMAN, GEORGIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
One of the most ambitious and
innovative projects in recent
memory, Rowen is a 2,000-acre
planned community under construction in Gwinnett County that will bring
together academia, business and research in
a way not dissimilar to North Carolina’s “Research Triangle.” Coincidentally Ailstock was
formerly the COO at the Research Triangle
Park Foundation and brings that expertise to
a Rowen project that plans to swell to over
50 million square feet of space.
An attorney by trade and two-time
Democratic nominee for statewide
office, Bailey became party chair
last year following the resignation
of U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams. He has made it
a priority for Democrats to contest every
election possible— and already notched
some notable wins in the leadup to this
year’s pivotal midterm elections.
DAN AMOS
CHAIRMAN & CEO, AFLAC
The longest-tenured CEO in the
Fortune 250, Amos has overseen
three-and-a-half decades of transformative growth at the Columbus-based insurance giant. Recent figures
show the company’s revenues have grown to
over $22.1 billion. He has also made fighting
childhood cancer a key component of Aflac’s
philanthropic mission, contributing over
$190 million to the cause.
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ROY BARNES
FORMER GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY
Since leaving office 23 years ago,
Barnes has remained a Democrat
elder statesman and is staying busy
as a prominent practicing attorney.
The lifelong Cobb Countian is always ready tell
an old story, hammer home a closing courtroom argument, dispense political and business advice and donate to favored candidates.
ED BASTIAN
CEO, DELTA AIR LINES
James’ 2021 “Georgian of the Year”
has Delta flying high as the nation’s top domestic carrier. Bastian’s organizational philosophy of
“Taking care of our people” makes the airline
a great place to work for its 100,000-plus
global professionals, and that mindset trickles down to its millions of loyal customers
who fly every year.
BRANDON BEACH
UNITED STATES TREASURER
When President Donald Trump
named the Alpharetta state senator
and True North 400 director the
nation’s treasurer, he became the
first Georgian to hold that job. He oversees
the U.S. Mint and Fort Knox, is a liaison to
the Federal Reserve and advises the U.S. Treasury Secretary. His deep political connections, along with his access to Trump, make
him quite a Washington D.C. power player.
KEVIN BLAIR
PRESIDENT & CEO, PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS
When Columbus-based Synovus
completed an $8.6 billion merger
with Pinnacle in January, the resulting bank became one of the
largest in the Southeast, boasting over $117
billion in assets. Blair remains at the helm of
the combined entity, where his presence on
prestigious boards including the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Historical Society
will serve it well.
