The Cobb Chamber and Cumberland CID have selected Connie Engel as its 2025 Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live. Awards are given based on local area nominations. The 2025 Cumberland Citizen of the Year award was presented at the 2025 Cumberland Community Meeting on February 12.
2025 Cumberland Citizen of the Year
About Connie Engel
Connie Engel, CEO of Strada Communities, served on the Cumberland CID Board of Directors from 2000 to 2023. Engel is highly regarded for her experience in the commercial real estate industry and has built deep relationships in the Cumberland community. Throughout her service on the Board, Engel was instrumental in helping navigate the success of landmark infrastructure projects for the region including the Windy Hill Widening and Diverging Diamond Interchange, U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway) Widening, New Day Palisades, the Akers Mill and Bob Callan Trails, and more. Most notably, Engel was instrumental in advocating for the Akers Mill Access Ramp for popular I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes from Akers Mill Road over Interstate 75. The Ramp opened in January this year.
Engel has in charge of the development and leasing of the Atlanta Galleria Office Park for more than 20 years. She has served on the Board of Trustees of Kennesaw State University Foundation as Chairwoman and trustee, and on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta chapter of National Association of Corporate Directors. Her impressive experience has made her well-versed in the ins and outs of the business.
The inaugural Cumberland Community Meeting benefiting One Cumberland will happen on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the TK Elevator Tower from 7 – 9:30 a.m. The event will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Cumberland CID and the launch of One Cumberland, Cumberland’s first community 501(c)(3) designed to bolster the work of the Cumberland CID.
The Cumberland Community Meeting will present an exciting program featuring keynote speaker Mike Plant, President and CEO of the Atlanta Braves Development Company, who will give an update on the Atlanta Braves and the developments within The Battery Atlanta. Two expert panels will focus on Cumberland’s smart growth and the area’s thriving arts, culture, and recreational scene. Attendees also will be treated to a special performance from the Atlanta Opera, now based in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
“The first-ever Cumberland Community Meeting will showcase our vibrant community and the many unique assets that make Cumberland an ideal place for people to live, work and visit, while also providing valuable networking opportunities for our attendees,” said Kim Menefee, Executive Director – Cumberland CID and One Cumberland. “We are also excited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Cumberland CID, the state’s first CID, and are looking toward the future with the addition of One Cumberland and its mission to broaden the reach, funding, and impact of the CID. Together we will continue to prosper through diverse growth.”
Following breakfast and networking at 7 a.m., experts from across Cumberland’s diverse business and cultural communities will speak. Panel one, Where Smart Growth Comes Naturally, will highlight the growth of Cumberland’s economy and area business and investment opportunities. The panel also will delve into the area’s cultural and demographic shifts and explore the amenities available to tenants, residents, and visitors. Speakers include:
Rob Garcia, Regional President – Pinnacle Financial Partners;
Chris McCoy, General Manager, Cumberland Mall – Brookfield Properties; and
Matt Teague, Development Director – Walton Communities
Panel two, The Rise of a Vibrant Community, will showcase the Cumberland area’s thriving arts and culture scene along with its ample outdoor recreation opportunities. Speakers include:
Kim Menefee, Executive Director – Cumberland CID and One Cumberland;
Ann Honious, Superintendent, CRNRA – National Park Service;
Jon Ingram, Director of Corporate Relations – Woodruff Arts Center;
Holly Quinlan, President & CEO – Cobb Travel and Tourism; and
Tomer Zvulun, General and Artistic Director – Atlanta Opera
Gold sponsors for the Cumberland Community Meeting include The Atlanta Braves Development Company, Comcast, Cushman & Wakefield, Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP, Gas South, JE Dunn Construction, Pennant Park/Rubenstein Partners, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Piedmont Office Realty Trust, TK Elevator, and Walton Communities. More than 30 companies are sponsoring the event.
To learn more about the Cumberland Community Meeting, click here. To purchase individual tickets, click here. Breakfast and parking in the Silver Deck will be included in the ticket price.
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About Cumberland CID
The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Today, Cumberland has a $23.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to leading companies including The Home Depot, Papa Johns, TKE, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more.
About One Cumberland
One Cumberland is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) designed to bolster the CID’s work and enhancement of projects by broadening its reach, funding, and impact. The mission of One Cumberland is to protect and conserve the natural resources of Cumberland and establish the district as a vibrant, diverse community through the enrichment of cultural amenities, quality of life, improved access, and environmental stewardship.
(CUMBERLAND) – Today, the inaugural meeting for One Cumberland’s Board of Directors was held, officially launching Cumberland’s first community 501(c)(3) organization (onecumberland.org). One Cumberland, founded by the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), will help bolster the work of the Cumberland CID by enhancing and broadening its reach, funding, and impact.
“Creating and maintaining a livable, vibrant community doesn’t happen by itself,” said One Cumberland Board Chair Rob Garcia. “Cumberland’s story is evolving. Now one of Cobb’s most diverse areas, Cumberland is home to over 30,000 residents and 3,300 businesses. One Cumberland will embrace this growth and engage our diversity to further establish Cumberland as a place where people want to live, work, and visit.
“The is an exciting day for our community,” said Kim Menefee, Executive Director for the Cumberland CID. “Since 1988, the Cumberland CID has invested over $160 million into key infrastructure projects and enhancements that have led to the success of the region. One Cumberland will build upon this success by being the engine that continues to boost quality of life and elevate all the assets that make Cumberland unique.”
The mission of One Cumberland is to protect and conserve the natural resources of Cumberland and establish the District as a vibrant, diverse community through the enrichment of cultural amenities, quality of life, improved access, and environmental stewardship. The Cumberland CID will staff and manage the day-to-day administration and operations for One Cumberland’s programs and projects.
Created by Constitutional Amendment, CIDs have the unique ability to partner with county, state, and federal agencies to plan, fund, and deliver infrastructure and transportation projects. Aligning One Cumberland with the Cumberland CID will allow for greater flexibility for community involvement and funding opportunities. One Cumberland will have the ability to accept donations from public and private foundations, private companies, and individuals as well as conduct capital campaigns for projects that enhance the Cumberland community.
“I envision One Cumberland will build and strengthen the bonds between people and neighborhoods in our community,” said Board Member Jon Ingram. “This can be done through numerous ways, whether it’s bringing together local artists for a public art project, hosting networking events, activating our many trails, or working together to preserve our natural resources, One Cumberland will enrich our lives and community spirit.”
Governed by a 9-member board of some the Cumberland District’s top private sector leaders, their mission is to improve and sustain the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit Cumberland. Below is a list of the One Cumberland Board Members.
• Rob Garcia, Board Chair Pinnacle Financial Partners, Regional President
• Melissa Cantrell, Vice Chair CDH Partners, President and CEO
• Barry Teague, Treasurer Walton Communities, Executive Chairman
• Secret Holland Gas South, LLC, VP of Human Resources and Community Affairs
• Jon Ingram Woodruff Arts Center, Director of Corporate Relations
• Chad Koenig Cushman Wakefield, Managing Director
• Chris McCoy Brookfield Properties, General Manager
• Michele Swann Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall, General Manager and CEO
• Holly Quinlan Cobb Travel and Tourism, President & CEO
(One Cumberland Board Members, pictured from left to right: Chad Koenig, Secret Holland, Jon Ingram, Melissa Cantrell, Rob Garcia, Barry Teague, Chris McCoy, Michele Swann, and Holly Quinlan)
About Cumberland CID
The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Today, Cumberland has a $23.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to leading companies including The Home Depot, Papa Johns, TKE, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, our staff remains committed to our job while following all safety precautions. We are closely monitoring reports from governing authorities, and we will continue to seek guidance from public health officials in consideration of our ongoing projects.
This webpage is to help keep you informed on COVID-19 resources. Below are helpful resources to help ensure you, your business, and family are safe and informed. Together, we will get through this.
If you need help finding business resources or have #CumberlandGoodNews you would like to share with us, please email ccid@cumberlandcid.org
Updated daily, the Cobb Chamber has links to resources for small businesses and community members regarding SBA loans, employee assistance, how to support local non-profits, and so much more. View help resources.
The Cobb Chamber is gathering information regarding the impact COVID-19 is having on your business. This will help us support you with appropriate resources, programming and advocacy efforts to offer assistance both immediately, and following the crisis.
The Cobb Chamber has started an Economic Recovery Taskforce to develop and implement a strategic approach to proactively drive our community’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Learn more here.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that individuals and corporations can delay their tax payments for 90 days due to the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read more.
Federal Updates: For more information on the COVID-19 Federal Stimulus plan, click here.
Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced up to $2.3 trillion in additional loans to support the economy. Click here to read more.
In light of the challenges that have arisen, the Cobb Community Foundation has created the Cobb COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This fund will provide flexible resources to non-profit organizations serving Cobb through charitable grants to those organizations working to provide residents with access to food, prescriptions/healthcare, childcare and basic needs as conditions, circumstances, and needs change throughout this crisis.
Comcast announces comprehensive COVID-19 response to help keep Americans connected to the internet. Read here.
Many of Cumberland’s landmarks are lit in beautiful blue to honor and thank all of our frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19.
