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Entrepreneur Of The YearERNEST ELLISDistinguished ServiceROBERT E. HOPE2025 ABL CEO LUNCHEON AWARD HONOREESBIOSBIOSTrailblazer Of The YearDERRICK MORROWThomas W. Dortch, Jr. League LeadershipVALERIE S. NESBITTVisions of ExcellenceDR. VICTORIA SEALSHerman J. Russell CEO of the Year ANDRE DICKENS

Andre Dickens is the 61st Mayor of Atlanta, a proud native of the city and a graduate of Atlanta Public Schools. Since taking oice in January 2022, he has been committed to Moving Atlanta Forward through a focus on public safety, youth empowerment, aordable housing, and neighborhood investment—while upholding a culture of integrity within city government. Mayor Dickens envisions “One city with one bright future”—a safe, connected, and equitable Atlanta where every resident can thrive. During his rst term, he has launched Atlanta’s rst-ever investment in early childhood education, reestablished the Pothole Posse, created the Nightlife Division to curb crime at problematic venues, and successfully led the eort to prevent the city’s de-annexation. Before becoming mayor, Dickens served two terms as a citywide Atlanta City Council member. He championed initiatives around public safety, transportation, housing, youth development, and senior services. He chaired the Transportation Committee and played a key role in creating the Department of Transportation, establishing the BeltLine Inclusionary Zoning policy, and launching the $40 million Housing Opportunity Bond. He also sponsored the Atlanta Youth Commission, co-created the BeltLine senior housing rehab program, and introduced the Teen Midnight Basketball League—an initiative combining recreation with life skills and education workshops. Dickens holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University. His professional background includes over a decade as an entrepreneur, including co-founding City Living Home Furnishings, which became a multi-million-dollar business. He also served as Chief Development Oicer for TechBridge, where he co-founded the Technology Career Program to train and place unemployed and disadvantaged individuals in tech careers. At Georgia Tech, he helped lead diversity initiatives that boosted academic performance and graduation rates for Black male students. A man of faith and community, Mayor Dickens is a deacon at New Horizon Baptist Church and has served on boards including the Atlanta BeltLine, Invest Atlanta, TechBridge, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. He’s also an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta, Diversity Leadership Atlanta, and other civic programs. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, attending church, listening to live music, traveling, and cheering on Atlanta’s sports teams.

7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Building 11, Suite 201 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404.601.7611 P http://www.FS 360.com ERNEST L. ELLIS President, CEO FS 360, LLC Ernest is the President & CEO of FS 360, LLC, one of the largest and most financially sound minority construction management and general contracting companies in the Atlanta marketplace. The company has provided services for a broad range of markets, including the aviation, corporate, government, higher education, healthcare, industrial, K-12 and retail sectors. These clients include many of the premier “brands” in the city’s marketplace: Coca-Cola, Chase Bank, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, Lockheed Martin, the City of Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University and several others. FS 360 has been a member of the National Association of Minority Contractors of Georgia since 2015 and is an active proponent of minority business inclusive and construction industry diversity initiatives. Ernest has assembled an outstanding team of construction professionals, representing over 200 years of work history and industry experience. With 30 + professional employees in his Atlanta, GA office, FS 360’s construction expertise, systems and tools deliver safer, more productive work environments that benefit all stakeholders. Over the past 6 years, FS 360’s Dallas, TX office has continually grown its presence to win contracts with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, DFW Airport, the City of Allen, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and others. Due to the team’s value proposition, FS 360 has successfully partnered with multiple prime contractors to win nearly $1 billion in construction projects. AWARDS 2015 • Associated Builders & Contractors. GOLD STEP Award (Safety Training Evaluation Process).• Delta Air Lines. Star Award Nomination.• Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. Class III Supplier of the Year Nomination2016 • Associated Builders & Contractors. DIAMOND STEP Award• ATLNEXT (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Subcontractor Management Safety Award.2017 • Associated Builders & Contractors. GOLD STEP Award• Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. Class III Supplier of the Year Award• Inc. Magazine. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies• National Association of Minority Contractors of Georgia. Contractor of the Year Award2018

7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Building 11, Suite 201 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404.601.7611 P http://www.FS 360.com • Associated Builders & Contractors. DIAMOND STEP Award 2019 • Associated Builders & Contractors. DIAMOND STEP Award • Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. MBE Advocate of the Year Award • Associated General Contractors Build Georgia Award. Awarded: $5 - $20 million Category 2020 • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ATLNEXT. Awarded: Maynard H. Jackson Leadership Award • Associated General Contractors. Awarded: Safety Excellence Award 2021 • Associated General Contractors. Awarded: Safety Excellence Award 2022 • Associated General Contractors. Awarded: Safety Excellence Award Ernest currently serves as President of the National Association of Minority Contractors Atlanta chapter. Ernest most recently served on the Associated Builders & Contractors’ Political Affairs Committee. In addition, he served on the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s (GMSDC) Board of Directors and as Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) from 2016 - 2019. FS 360 is a member of the Associated General Contractors, the Atlanta Business League and the Council for Quality Growth. Prior to founding FS 360, Ernest successfully launched and/or grew multiple companies in the telecommunications industry. Most recently, Ernest served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Telecom Compliance Services, LLC (TCS). In 2006, TCS was purchased by Thomson Reuters’ Tax and Accounting Division and Ernest assumed the role of Vice President, Business Integration where he was responsible for the successful integration of acquired companies into the Thomson organization.

Bob Hope Robert E. (Bob) Hope is a veteran of the public relations and event marketing business. He is co-owner and chairman of Hope Beckham Espinosa, an independent agency based in Atlanta. Hope and longtime friend Paul Beckham started Hope-Beckham 30 years ago. He is active in the community and serves on several boards: • Founder and on the board of HAVE Foundation (Honduras Agalta Valley Education) • Board of Honduras Outreach Inc. • Board of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau • Board of Councilors of the Carter Center • Board of the Georgia Music Accord • Investigative Committee of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church • Board of Covenant House Georgia He has served on the boards of the Atlanta Braves and Ottawa Senators. Bob Hope has a lifetime of remarkable experiences and friends. He started working for the Atlanta Braves while in college and became the team’s director of public relations and promotions at age 24. He managed the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at age 25. And he was with Hank Aaron during the chase to break the all-time home run record of Babe Ruth. When Ted Turner bought the team, he was promoted to vice president at age 29 and worked not only for the Braves but also the Turner-owned Atlanta Hawks and for Turner’s TV business, handling marketing for the Braves and the TV.

Bob is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He was vice chairman and emcee of the Rotary International Convention, which hosted 40,000 attendees in Atlanta in 2017. He is the recipient of the Rotary International “Service Above Self Award,” the highest honor bestowed by the board of Rotary International. He has been Rotarian of the Year in the district and is the only member in the history of the Rotary Club of Atlanta to receive four of its top awards – hospitality, community service, international service, and service to Rotary. In the community, he has received an assortment of honors: • Hospitality Hall of Fame by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, • Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association, • Most Admired CEO by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, • 100 Most Influential Atlantans by the Atlanta Business Chronicle • 500 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend • 500 Most Powerful Atlanta Leaders by Atlanta Magazine • George Goodwin Award for Community Service from the Public Relations Society of America He was married for 46 years to Susan, who died of cancer in 2017 and has two adult daughters and four grandchildren. He lives in Decatur.

Derrick Morrow Area Vice President & General Manager Hyatt Regency Atlanta Derrick Morrow was named Area Vice President & General Manager of Hyatt Regency Atlanta in March 2020.Derrick was previously Area Vice President & General Manager of Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. He also served as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Tampa; Regional Vice President of Sales for Hyatt’s Midwest Region; Director of Marketing at Hyatt Regency Chicago; and in other sales leadership positions.Derrick started his Hyatt career at Hyatt Regency Atlanta as Associate Director of Sales in 1991.Derrick has taken leadership roles in each of the communities he has served, supporting local charities, forging partnerships, and championing Hyatt’s Purpose of Caring for our guests, our colleagues, and our community.Derrick has been a national leader in Hyatt’s Change Starts Here initiative, including the company’s commitment to support minority-owned and other businesses.

Hyatt has pledged to make its suppliers look like the communities it serves, and increase its base of Black-owned, minority-owned, women-owned and other businesses significantly by 2025.Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been a leader in this effort, with more than $1 million in new contracts signed with suppliers like these since 2020.Derrick in 2022 was instrumental in launching Hyatt Regency Atlanta’s Minority Vendor Showcase. Now in its fourth year, the event connects minority-owned and other businesses with Hyatt hotels, competitor hotels and other potential buyers, giving the hotel’s small business suppliers more opportunities to expand their businesses, thrive and grow.Derrick serves on the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Boards of Directors of the Atlanta Sports Council, the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, Atlanta’s Gateway Center, and other hospitality, business, and community organizations.Derrick is a native of Washington, D.C., and a graduate of Howard University.About Hyatt Regency AtlantaHyatt Regency Atlanta is just minutes from Atlanta’s top attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the King Center and World of Coca-Cola, as well as Atlanta’s famous green parks and paths, vibrant neighborhoods and outdoor dining. The 1,260-room hotel has the most meeting space in market and is home to the iconic Polaris rotating restaurant and lounge. For reservations or more information, visit hyattregencyatlanta.com or call 404-577-1234.

Valerie S. Nesbitt., C.P.M, CPSD, CCA Director Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Norfolk Southern Corporation Valerie Nesbitt is the Director of Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Norfolk Southern, where she leads initiatives to ensure that the company’s contracts provide maximum opportunities for small and diverse businesses. She also serves as the sustainability liaison for the sourcing team, working with suppliers to develop strategies that reduce the company’s carbon footprint. With over 30 years of experience in supply chain management and supplier inclusion, Valerie has held leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Martin Marietta, and General Electric. Valerie takes great pride in the impact of her work, especially in creating lasting change. Among her many achievements, she is most proud of enhancing the Supplier Inclusion programs at Norfolk Southern and Delta Air Lines. Her leadership in these initiatives not only strengthened the companies' supply chains but also built meaningful relationships with diverse firms across the country. Additionally, in honor of the late Maynard H. Jackson Jr., she conceptualized the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Legacy Awards at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This event celebrates the contributions of minority contractors and promotes inclusion within the industry. Valerie's work reflects her commitment to shaping a more inclusive future, and she is proud of the lasting legacy she is building for future generations. A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Valerie is a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), and Contract Compliance Administrator (CCA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

Valerie is committed to community service, serving on the board of directors for both the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council and the Atlanta Business League. A life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a devoted member of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, she is passionate about advancing inclusion, serving others, and making a meaningful impact in her community through both her professional and personal efforts. Valerie and her husband, Donas, reside in Smyrna, Georgia.

Victoria Seals, Ed. D. President Atlanta Technical College Dr. Victoria Seals is the sixth president of Atlanta Technical College. Under her leadership, the College has launched several student success initiatives, established effective industry partnerships, and continues to grow in enrollment and student achievement—boasting a 100 percent job placement rate. Additionally, the College was recently named the 2023 Bellwether Award Winner for Workforce Development! Dr. Seals has more than 25 years of experience in higher education and 20 years of experience in higher education leadership. She has garnered several awards and recognitions that highlight her leadership, including the Georgia Trend Top 500 Influential Leaders for 2024 and 2023, the 2022 Women of Influence Award, the 2020 ACCT Southern Region CEO Award, and the Atlanta Business League’s Top 100 Women of Influence for the last six years. Before attaining the presidency at Atlanta Technical College, Dr. Seals served several years at Gwinnett Technical College. She advanced from an instructor to division director, dean, and, ultimately to vice president of academic affairs. Dr. Seals is a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2019, Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2018, Leadership Gwinnett’s Class of 2011, as well as the 2013 class of the Technical College System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Academy. She is an active member of the American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community College Trustees, Technology Association of Georgia, Women in Educational Leadership, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, the Georgia Public Defender Council, the Learn for Life Leadership Council, the ATL Airport Chamber, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Horizons Atlanta, the Aerotropolis Atlanta, and Work Source Atlanta. In addition to Advisory Board service with Hands on Atlanta, she has also facilitated the Hands on Atlanta MLK Sunday Supper.

Atlanta Magazine named Dr. Seals as one of the “Top 500” Influential Leaders for 2021 through 2025, and The Atlanta Business Chronicle featured Dr. Seals as one of the 2022 Women of Influence, one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs in 2020, and listed her among “Who’s Who in Education” in 2017 and 2020. Dr. Seals was named Educator of the Year in 2017 by the South Fulton Chamber and was recognized by Year Up Atlanta that same year with the Urban Empowerment Award. Dr. Seals was also honored by the Urban League of Greater Atlanta at its 56th Equal Opportunity Day (2017). Dr. Seals received a B. S. in mathematics from Spelman College. She continued her studies at the University of Georgia where she received an M.A. in mathematics, an Ed.S. in mathematics education, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and watching sports.