A. Williams

Sam A. Williams became president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce -- the southeast's largest business organization -- in January 1997.Taking the reigns following Atlanta's successful hosting of the Centennial Olympic Games, Williams is now helping answer the ever-popular refrain in Atlanta, what be Next?.

As president of Central Atlanta Progress from 1994 to 1996, and under the leadership of A.D. Pete Correll, chairman and CEO of Georgia Pacific Corp., Williams led downtown businesses to create a special tax district called the Downtown Improvement District which manages the private-sector, 55-member Ambassador Force.The A-Force worked with Atlanta Police and reduced burglaries and car break-ins by 50 percent in the central business district in 1996.

Williams also helped developers create post-Olympic housing around downtown Atlanta's Woodruff Park, ultimately creating nearly a thousand new residences.He galvanized downtown residents, merchants and close-in neighborhoods and worked to convince the city to adopt tougher quality of life ordinances against aggressive panhandling, nighttime cruising, and camping in the city's parks and public spaces.Williams organized major companies and architectural firms around Centennial Olympic Park to create a pragmatic plan for future growth around the park.
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Sam A. Williams

Sam A. Williams, president of Central Atlanta Progress Inc

The Commission will report in mid-1997 and offer a road map to help Americans reconsider their roles in charity, philanthropy, volunteerism and community service..

Foundations, charitable organizations and the public are encouraged to provide input into the commission's project at www.ncpcr.org or 1150 17th St., NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 202-463-1460.