Council for Quality Growth

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Council for Quality Growth CQG promotes economic development through the platforms of advocacy, information and education.

"The reason I feel so strongly about Egbert is not only what he's done, but I will be forever grateful, Egbert, for what...
10/16/2026

"The reason I feel so strongly about Egbert is not only what he's done, but I will be forever grateful, Egbert, for what you have taught me. I have learned a lot from you and I hope it's made me a little bit of a better person."

At the 2026 honoring Egbert Perry, Larry Gellerstedt III, Partner at Sweetwater Holdings Company and 2019 Four Pillar Award recipient, spoke on the pillar of Integrity, reflecting on Egbert’s unwavering principles, commitment to his communities, and the lasting impact of his leadership.

Larry and Egbert first met 46 years ago as young executives in Atlanta’s real estate industry, when Larry was at Beers Construction and Egbert was at H.J. Russell & Company. As their firms worked together, the two developed a lifelong friendship built on trust, candor, and mutual respect. Reflecting on their decades of friendship, Larry spoke about Egbert’s ability to see possibilities where others saw limitations, particularly through his commitment to transforming public housing into thriving mixed-income communities. He emphasized that Egbert’s integrity has remained central to his work and expressed his gratitude for the lessons and friendship they have shared over the years.

Larry, thank you for your heartfelt Tribute to Integrity in Egbert's life and leadership.

In case you missed it...See all photos and videos from the 2026 Four Pillar Tribute online at www.fourpillartribute.com

“My father’s vision is about refusing to accept that the future must be limited by what we inherited. Not simply seeing ...
10/15/2026

“My father’s vision is about refusing to accept that the future must be limited by what we inherited. Not simply seeing what does not yet exist, but believing, and then proving, that what exists today does not have to define what comes next.”

At the 2026 honoring Egbert Perry, Rian Smith, Chief Legal Impact Officer at The Integral Group and Egbert’s eldest daughter, spoke on the pillar of Vision, reflecting on her father’s ability to challenge accepted limitations and envision what could be possible.

Drawing from both her personal and professional relationship with Egbert, Rian highlighted how his vision has guided his approach to building communities, creating economic value, and expanding opportunities for others. She reflected on his belief that the future does not have to be defined by the limitations of the past and his commitment to turning that belief into meaningful, lasting impact.

Rian, thank you for your heartfelt Tribute to Vision in Egbert's life and leadership.

In case you missed it...See all photos and videos from the 2026 Four Pillar Tribute online at www.fourpillartribute.com

“That's who Egbert has always been. Responsible to his word. Responsible to his relationships. Responsible to a city he ...
10/14/2026

“That's who Egbert has always been. Responsible to his word. Responsible to his relationships. Responsible to a city he has spent his life building — not just in brick and steel, but in trust.”

At the 2026 honoring Egbert Perry, T. Dallas Smith, Founder and CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company, spoke on the pillar of Responsibility, reflecting on Egbert’s lifelong commitment to his word, his relationships, and the communities he has helped build.

Dallas and Egbert first met while working at H.J. Russell & Company, where their early professional relationship grew into a longstanding friendship and a series of business collaborations that have helped shape Atlanta’s real estate landscape. Describing Egbert as a friend, business partner, and “big brother,” Dallas reflected on Egbert’s continued commitment to the people and communities impacted by his work, including Centennial Place and Centennial Academy.

Dallas, thank you for your heartfelt Tribute to Responsibility in Egbert's life and leadership.
In case you missed it...See all photos and videos from the 2026 Four Pillar Tribute online at www.fourpillartribute.com

"For Egbert, quality begins with one fundamental truth: Every human being has God-given value, and for Egbert, quality b...
10/13/2026

"For Egbert, quality begins with one fundamental truth: Every human being has God-given value, and for Egbert, quality begins with understanding that value. It shapes the standard he brings to what we build, how we lead, and what we ask of ourselves.”

At the 2026 honoring Egbert Perry, Renee Lewis Glover, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder of Coretto Associates, LLC, spoke on the pillar of Quality, reflecting on Egbert’s belief in the inherent value of every individual and how that belief has shaped his commitment to building communities where people can live well.

Renee first met Egbert when she was serving as President & CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority, where they pioneered a new approach to public housing. Egbert came to Renee as a willing partner with a fresh perspective, and together, they influence housing policy and redevelopment efforts across the nation.

Renee, thank you for your heartfelt Tribute to Quality in Egbert's life and leadership.

In case you missed it...See all photos and videos from the 2026 Four Pillar Tribute online at www.fourpillartribute.com

The full recording of our 37th annual honoring Egbert Perry is now available!Relive an evening celebrating “Integrity....
10/12/2026

The full recording of our 37th annual honoring Egbert Perry is now available!

Relive an evening celebrating “Integrity. Innovation. Impact.” and Egbert’s lasting contributions to our region through special tributes, performances, and reflections from the honoree.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern, for making this special evening possible.

Watch the full recording: https://www.fourpillartribute.com/2026-four-pillar-tribute-honoring-egbert-perry/

Watch Egbert’s speech: https://www.fourpillartribute.com/2026-four-pillar-tribute-egberts-speech/

Last night, the Council for Quality Growth was honored to host an exclusive reception welcoming Jonathan Hunt, the newly...
10/09/2026

Last night, the Council for Quality Growth was honored to host an exclusive reception welcoming Jonathan Hunt, the newly appointed General Manager/CEO of MARTA.

The evening featured remarks from Council President & CEO Michael Paris, 2026 Council Chair and Executive Director of ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts Gerald McDowell, Henry Ikwut-Ukwa of CDM Smith, Melissa Mullinax of HNTB, and MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors, CDM Smith and HNTB, and supporting sponsors, AECOM, ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts, Kimley-Horn, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, and VHB, for making this reception possible. We are grateful to our members, partners, and friends who joined us in celebrating Jonathan Hunt’s leadership and the future of transit and mobility in metro Atlanta. Congratulations, Jonathan!

10/06/2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Relive the 37th Annual Four Pillar Tribute honoring Egbert Perry and celebrating more than four decades of leadership and lasting impact on metro Atlanta and beyond. Inspired by the principles that have shaped his life and career, Egbert’s theme for the evening was Integrity. Innovation. Impact.

Congratulations again to Egbert on this well-deserved honor, and thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern, for making this special evening possible.

View VNR online: https://www.fourpillartribute.com/watch-the-highlights-from-the-2026-four-pillar-tribute/

Read the press release: https://www.councilforqualitygrowth.org/press-release-egbert-perry-honored-with-council-for-quality-growths-37th-four-pillar-tribute/

“Because one of the most powerful forces in the world is the belief that somewhere, somehow, there exists a system willi...
10/02/2026

“Because one of the most powerful forces in the world is the belief that somewhere, somehow, there exists a system willing to see you not simply as labor, not simply as an outsider, but as a full participant in the future being built.” – Egbert Perry

Last night, the Council for Quality Growth had the privilege of honoring Egbert Perry with our 37th annual . Egbert was honored for his lasting impact on our region and the built environment in the presence of more than 1,300 Council members, elected officials, industry leaders, friends, and family. His chosen theme for the evening was “Integrity. Innovation. Impact.,” the values that have defined his career and approach to building communities.

Our tribute speakers, Renee Lewis Glover, T. Dallas Smith, Rian Smith, and Larry Gellerstedt III, testified to Egbert's contributions to our region and his dedication to the Four Pillars of leadership: Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity. Miguel Southwell emceed the evening, and featured speakers included Governor Brian Kemp and Mayor Andre Dickens.

A Cultural Tribute presented by NEXT Atlanta and featuring Faith Carmichael, Jon Goode, Kenny Banks Jr., and Bria Anai celebrated Egbert’s decades-long legacy of elevating Atlanta’s artists and strengthening the community through art. PanSonics Steel Band and the Caribbean Dancers of Atlanta provided the opening tribute, celebrating Egbert’s Caribbean roots and the heritage that has remained a meaningful part of his journey.

Gerald McDowell, the 2026 Chair of the Council and Executive Director of the ATL Airport CIDs, presented Egbert with the Four Pillar Award.

Egbert Perry joins a distinguished group of leaders who have made significant contributions and philanthropic efforts towards economic development and quality of life in the metro Atlanta region. The Council for Quality Growth is proud to honor Egbert's commitment to exemplifying quality, responsibility, vision, and integrity, and add him to our prestigious list of Four Pillar honorees.

Congratulations, Egbert! It was an honor to celebrate you with Atlanta.

The 2026 Four Pillar Tribute was presented by Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern.

The full recording of the event, the Tribute Video, and the photo gallery will be posted to www.FourPillarTribute.com as soon as they are available.
Read the press release at the link in our bio.

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Atlanta, GA

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