Beltline names new CEO

Atlantic Station VP Brian Leary succeeds Terri Montague

Beltline officials this morning named Brian Leary, vice president of Atlantic Station, as the new head honcho of the 22-mile loop of parks, trails and transit.

From Atlanta Beltline Inc., the nonprofit that’s tasked with designing and implementing the $2.8 billion project:

Mr. Leary joins ABI from Atlantic Station, where he is currently Vice President. He has worked there for 12 years during which he helped develop the former steel mill into a national model of sustainable development and smart growth.

“Atlantic Station has given me a wonderful opportunity over the years,” said Leary, “but there is no greater opportunity to impact the metro Atlanta area’s quality of life than the Atlanta BeltLine Project. Atlantic Station has created thousands of jobs and homes and millions of dollars in new tax base, but the BeltLine has the extraordinary potential to transform the entire city. I am looking forward to getting to work with the BeltLine team and its partners—and to doing a great deal of listening.”

Mr. Leary holds a master’s degree in City Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Georgia Tech, where he received dual certificates in Land Development and Real Estate. He has been published nationally and teaches each spring at Georgia Tech.

Leary, whose work with Atlantic Station is well-regarded among smart-growth wonks, has a full plate in front of him.