As President of Bank of America, Atlanta, Al serves as Bank of America's leader in the local market, responsible for delivering responsible growth for shareholders, clients, and communities. That includes driving business integration and local market share growth by connecting our capabilities across our eight lines of business to people and companies. It also includes deploying Bank of America's resources to build strong communities. And it includes making our company a great place to work by connecting employees to the broader enterprise, championing our culture of diversity and inclusion, and fostering opportunities for our employees to develop and grow.

In addition, Al currently serves as Managing Director and Diverse Segments Business Development executive for Bank of America's Private Bank. He has held various positions with Bank of America focusing on the wealth management needs of high net worth families in the areas of investment management, estate planning, banking and credit. Al is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies for the Private Bank to drive responsible growth within the diverse high net worth client segment. Key areas of focus include data analysis to cultivate marketplace opportunities, creating business development strategies, developing marketing plans tailored to diverse communities and establishing partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.

He is an active leader in his community, serving on the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, Georgia Bankers Association, Georgia State University Foundation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation and Central Atlanta Progress. He is also an active member with the Rotary Club of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Class of 2023 Leadership Atlanta, and is a class of 2025 participant with Leadership Georgia.

Al earned his undergraduate degree in finance from Georgia State University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and is a CERTIFIED F. NCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®).

Bentina C. Terry is President and CEO of Southern Linc and Southern Telecom, Inc. These Southern Company subsidiaries provide mission-critical LTE wireless and dark fiber networks and services to Southern Company electric utilities and to external customers.

Terry came to Southern Linc and Southern Telecom from Georgia Power, where she served as senior vice president of Customer Strategy and Solutions. She joined Georgia Power in 2001 and during her career, held roles of increasing responsibility in External Affairs, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Community and Economic Development, Corporate Communication, Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Compliance and Ethics, Corporate Services and Power Delivery at Gulf Power (now Florida Power & Light), Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear, where she served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

Prior to Southern Company, Terry supported Georgia Power and Southern Company at Troutman Sanders (now Troutman Pepper) as a labor and employment lawyer. She also served as the Associate General Counsel at Progress Energy (now Duke Energy) in Raleigh, NC.

In the community, she serves on the board of directors for CTIA, International Women's Forum (IWF) Georgia, and most recently, the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA). Terry is the immediate past chair of Leadership Atlanta and vice chair of the NC University Foundation, Inc. Board.

For several consecutive years, she has been selected as one of Atlanta Magazine's 500 Most Influential Atlantans, one of Atlanta Business League's 100 Influential Women, and of the National Diversity Council's 100 Most Influential Women in Energy. In 2024, Terry was named a Woman of Influence by Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2022, she was a United Negro College Fund's Billy Suber Aaron Award honoree, and in 2020, she was named of the Greater Atlanta YWCA's Women of Achievement.

She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Georgia State Bar, the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Leadership Atlanta, Leadership North Carolina, Leadership Florida, International Women's Forum (IWF), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Incorporated.

She has received various awards and recognition for her contributions to the state of Florida, including being named one of Influence Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Florida Politics (2015). She was also an IWF Fellow in 2012 and a 2017 graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Leadership Institute. 

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished himself or herself as a community and civic leader in Atlanta and throughout the nation.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding minority business owner who is a proven leader in his/her industry, evidenced by financial success and commitment to community service.

The Herman J. Russell CEO of the Year Award is the most prestigious recognition for CEOs. It recognizes the true measure of a CEO's success, commitment, and fairness to people while maximizing shareholder profits. 

The Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. League Leadership Award is the ultimate badge of honor for an Atlanta Business League member. It recognizes the ABL volunteer who continuously makes significant contributions to the League's mission and goals.

The Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated pioneering attributes in providing opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises and the minority community at large; has reached the top in his/her profession, and has made an impression on the Atlanta community through business and civic leadership. 

The Visions of Excellence Award honors an individual who envisions meaningful improvements to the quality of life in Atlanta and its surrounding communities—and takes decisive action to bring that vision to life. Through their leadership and influence, they turn aspiration into impact, creating lasting change for the better.

Andre Dickens is the 61st Mayor of Atlanta, a proud native of the city and a graduate of Atlanta Public Schools. Since taking office in January 2022, he has been committed to Moving Atlanta Forward through a focus on public safety, youth empowerment, affordable 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 first term, he has launched Atlanta's first-ever investment in early childhood education, reestablished the Pothole Posse, created the Nightlife Division to curb crime at problematic venues, and successfully led the effort 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 Officer 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.

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 Atlanta marketplace: Coca-Cola, Chase Bank, Delta Air Lines, Emory University, Georgia Power, Grady Health Systems, Lockheed Martin, the City of Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University and several others. Over the past 10 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 $2.5 billion in construction projects.

Ernest has been very active over the years in construction industry organizations. FS 360 has been a member of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) of Greater Atlanta since 2015 and is an active proponent of economic development, contracting and growth opportunities for diverse construction companies. Ernest has served as President of the NAMC Greater Atlanta chapter since 2021 and currently serves on the NAMC National board of directors. 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 Atlanta Business League and the Council for Quality Growth where Ernest also serves on the board of directors.

Ernest has assembled an outstanding team of construction professionals, representing over 200 years of construction work history and industry experience. With 42 + professional employees in his Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth offices, FS 360's construction expertise, systems and tools deliver safer, more productive work environments that benefit all stakeholders.

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 Nomination

2016

• 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 Award

2018

• 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 - 2024

• Associated General Contractors. Awarded: Safety Excellence Award

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.

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 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 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.

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—an event that 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.

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. Prior to 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, 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.

Please be advised that the 46th Annual CEO Awards Luncheon will be filmed and recorded for promotional and archival purposes. By attending this event, you acknowledge that your image, voice, or likeness may appear in photos, videos, and other media.

Your presence at the event constitutes your consent to be recorded and your agreement that the event organizers may use this material at their discretion.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The Atlanta Business League's CEO Awards Luncheon includes a silent auction, a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and community programs while engaging with Atlanta's business leaders. 

There's something for everyone at the silent auction. It's a perfect opportunity to find memorable gifts, treat yourself, and support the mission of the Atlanta Business League!

Some of our featured items include:

• Airline tickets
• Advertising Package - WCLK
• Artwork
• Cologne
• Jewelry
• Professional Services: Brandpreneur, Inc.
• Surf and Turf Package - Meat Masters, Inc.
• Weekend excursions

All items have been generously donated by local businesses and sponsors.