Friends, family, and colleagues came together at The Gathering Spot on Tuesday, January 31 to celebrate Ernestine Garey’s career at Invest Atlanta. Ernestine Garey held the executive vice president and chief operating officer position before deciding to retire from the organization this year.

Mayor Kasim Reed shared some kind words of admiration about Ms. Garey before presenting her with the city’s highest honor, the Phoenix Award. Councilmember Andre Dickens also spoke, delivering her a proclamation on behalf of the Atlanta City Council. Other speakers included Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich and Senior Vice President of Community Development Dawn Luke.

“Few people have done more for community development in the City of Atlanta than Ernestine,” said Dr. Klementich. “Her work on housing and neighborhood revitalization has touched the lives of countless Atlantans. We wish her the best in all her future endeavors.”

Also in attendance were Ms. Garey’s family, Invest Atlanta co-workers past and present, colleagues from prior organizations, as well as fellow church members and sisters of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

During her 30-year tenure at Invest Atlanta, Garey made significant contributions to the Atlanta community in the economic and community development arena.

In her most recent capacity as COO, Ms. Garey managed and directed the day-to-day activities of Invest Atlanta’s operating departments and was a strategic liaison fortifying relationships with the board of directors, Atlanta City Council, and other governmental and community stakeholders. She also served as interim president and CEO of Invest Atlanta and was instrumental in the issuance of over $1 billion in housing revenue bonds, creating more than 15,000 units of affordable workforce housing in the City of Atlanta.

A 2014 graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Ms. Garey holds a Master’s Degree from Clark Atlanta University in French with further studies at Georgia State University in Urban Policy. She has received certification from the National Development Council as a Housing Development and Economic Development Finance Professional.

Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich announced on Tuesday, February 7 that Keith Ivory Millner would be taking over for Ms. Garey as Invest Atlanta’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Millner’s corporate and entrepreneurial career spans more than three decades and includes executive-level experience across a diverse set of industries.