About AFCRA

Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA)

The Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) is a public authority created in 1964 by the Georgia General Assembly to steward and activate premier public venues across Atlanta and Fulton County. Since its founding, AFCRA has played a vital role in developing and managing facilities that serve as cornerstones of community life, cultural exchange, and economic vitality.

Today, AFCRA transforms public spaces into gateways for connection, culture, and community. With a legacy of stewardship and service, the Authority advances equity by broadening access to sports, recreation, and culture while driving opportunities that enrich lives and strengthen Atlanta’s economy. From world-class arenas and stadiums to neighborhood recreation sites, AFCRA creates spaces where people come together, communities thrive, and Atlanta’s global reputation as a leader in sports, recreation, and culture continues to grow.

Welcome from

The Executive Director

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Executive Director. Together, let’s keep the momentum going.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. 

Best regards,

— Kerry Stewart
Meet our

AFCRA Staff

Kerry Stewart

Executive Director

Vivienne Kerr

Executive Assistant

Martell Ellick

Fanplex Building Superintendent

Malik Brown

Project Director, LGBTQ+ Community Center Feasibility Study
Meet our

Board of Directors

William K. Whitner, Esq

Chairperson

William K Whitner is a Partner with Paul Hastings, an international law firm with offices across the globe. Working from the firm’s Atlanta office, he serves as the Global Co-Chair…

Know More

MIchelle Falconer

Vice Chairperson

Michelle Falconer founded Real Estate Investments and Elite Home Management Services, in 2002. In 2015, Michelle opened a consulting firm and a development company…

Know More

Hon. Bob Ellis

Secretary/Treasurer

Bob Ellis is the Vice Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Commissioner for District 2, which encompasses Milton, Mountain Park and large parts of…

Know More

Mohamed Balla

Assistant Treasurer

Mohamed Balla is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Atlanta. He joined the City in 2011 and assumed the role of CFO in July 2021. As CFO, Balla provides financial guidance…

Know More

Marlon Campbell

VP of Strategic Partnerships at Catalis Marlon Campbell has spent 25+ years in various leadership roles within the enterprise software technology space. Experienced in…

Know More

Cannon Kent-Grant

Cannon Kent-Grant embodies an unyielding passion for music composition and the talented individuals who bring it to life. As the National Director of Promotion at Atlantic Records…

Know More

Hon. Mo Ivory

Mo Ivory serves as Fulton County Commissioner for District 4, representing Atlanta’s core neighborhoods…

Know More

Hon. Robb Pitts

Robb Pitts is the Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners, elected in 2017. He previously served on the Fulton…

Know More

David Simpkins

David Simpkins is the Founder and President of SPR Cold Port, LLC, a leading cold chain logistics and infrastructure…

Know More

Kellye Terrell

Kellye Terrell is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years of invaluable experience providing HR leadership in…

Know More
What we believe

Our Values

William K. Whitner, Esq

William K Whitner is a Partner with Paul Hastings, an international law firm with offices across the globe. Working from the firm’s Atlanta office, he serves as the Global Co-Chair of the Complex Litigation and Arbitration Practice Group, as well as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity Counsel. Routinely handling “bet the company” cases for global and national companies in federal, state and arbitration tribunals at the trial and appellate levels, his practice focuses on business litigation with a particular emphasis on complex corporate matters. Says Whitner, “To succeed at anything is to wake up every morning embracing the notion that today is a new challenge and opportunity to do better than yesterday at everything.” Countless accolades include being identified in Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Georgia and named Best Lawyers’ 2014 “Atlanta Lawyer of the Year” and Best Lawyers’ 2018 “Georgia Lawyer of the Year”; identified by Georgia Super Lawyers as one of the “Top 100 Attorneys in Georgia”; named a Legal Eagle by Franchise Times; recognized as a leading litigation lawyer in Euromoney’s Benchmark: America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys; and recognized as one of Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite.

MIchelle Falconer

Michelle Falconer founded Real Estate Investments and Elite Home Management Services, in 2002. In 2015, Michelle opened a consulting firm and a development company. In 2017, Michelle brought all 4 companies under one umbrella and founded Bailey & Hunter. Headquartered in Atlanta Georgia, Bailey and Hunter has additional offices in West Palm Beach and Tampa, FL.

As the visionary and strategic director of Bailey & Hunter Michelle draws on her 20 years of experience in small business by directing her team in the management of several large government and publicly traded client accounts. Both Real Estate Investments and Elite Home Management Services proudly do business with many local agencies such as Atlanta Housing Authority, Fulton County Housing Authority and 25 other agencies. With deep roots in the City of Atlanta, Michelle is a self-published author. Her book teaches entrepreneurÕs about the 3 principals to help them improve profits.

Originally from Denver, CO. Michelle moved to Atlanta in 1994 to attend Clark Atlanta University. At Clark University she earned her BachelorÕs Degree in Mass Communications and minored in Business Science. In addition to her entrepreneurial spirit, Michelle also dedicates her time and resources to many philanthropic initiatives.

Michelle is a dedicated wife to Dr. Walter Z. Falconer and they are proud parents of four beautiful children, sons Hunter and Bryson and daughters Ryan and Devin. Michelle and her family enjoy traveling. Exploring the globe professionally and personally, Michelle has traveled to more than 26 countries.

Hon. Bob Ellis

Bob Ellis is the Vice Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the Commissioner for District 2, which encompasses Milton, Mountain Park and large parts of Alpharetta, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. Elected to office in November of 2014, Bob began his term the following January and serves as Executive Sponsor for Fulton County’s Strategic Priority “All People Trust Government is Efficient, Effective and Fiscally Sound.” In addition to his duties as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Bob is Chairman of the County’s Audit Committee, is a board member of the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission and also serves on the Advisory Board of WellStar North Fulton Hospital.

On a professional level, Bob is a National Product Leader for CNA Financial Corporation, a leading property and casualty insurance company. During his twenty-five plus year career in the insurance industry, he has held a variety of underwriting, management and leadership roles. Bob has deep expertise in providing risk management services and insurance protection to companies and senior management.

As the leader of Fulton’s strategic priority to ensure government is efficient and effective, Bob has been a champion for transparency, rebuilding and strengthening Fulton County infrastructure, improving personnel and purchasing procedures, strengthening County management, and championing a culture of excellent customer service. Bob has also been a leader in seeking to reform Fulton County’s property tax system, has been a strong voice for improving the County’s delivery of Behavioral Health and Public Health services and advanced actionable steps to end the county’s opioid epidemic and fight sex trafficking.

Bob is a native of Commerce, GA, graduated with highest honors from the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business and is a long-time resident of North Fulton County. Bob and his wife Jennifer have three children and reside in Milton.

Bob is an active long-term member of Northbrook United Methodist Church in Roswell, GA where he has served in numerous leadership roles and teaches Sunday school

Mohamed Balla

Mohamed Balla is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Atlanta. He joined the City in 2011 and assumed the role of CFO in July 2021. As CFO, Balla provides financial guidance to the Mayor and City Council and manages a team of 160 finance, accounting, and business professionals. He is responsible for overseeing the preparation, evaluation, and monitoring of the City’s $2.75 billion operating budget and financing the City’s $11.5 billion capital improvement program. Additionally, Balla serves as a Trustee on the City’s Pension Investment Board, managing investments for the General, Police, and Fire Pension Funds.

Prior to serving as CFO for the City of Atlanta, Mohamed was the Deputy Commissioner and CFO for the Department of Watershed Management (DWM), where he led the department’s financial functions. Before that, he was a key member of the City’s pension reform team, responsible for restructuring the City’s $3 billion pension plan. He also served as the City’s Cash and Investment Manager, overseeing the City’s $2.0 billion cash portfolio.

CFO Balla has a background in investment banking, corporate finance, and public finance, with over 20 years of experience. He has a strong background in financial modeling and analysis, leveraged lending, and public finance. He has worked at Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank and Wachovia Securities as an investment banking professional. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Morehouse College and an M.B.A. from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Mr. Balla is a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2023. He currently resides in Southwest Atlanta with his wife, Teresa, and their two daughters, Eden and Ava.

Marlon Campbell

VP of Strategic Partnerships at Catalis Marlon Campbell has spent 25+ years in various leadership roles within the enterprise software technology space. Experienced in global sales, account management, and strategic partnerships across Fortune 500 companies and tech startups.

Marlon spent 20 years at IBM before moving to the startup ecosystem in various roles as an advisor and investor. His expertise spans Digital Transformation, SaaS/Cloud Computing, DevOps/SDLC, and Payment Systems., complemented by deep skills in global alliances, competitive conversions, contract negotiation, business development, and customer retention. Adept at managing and building high-performing teams that serve as consultative partners to both internal and external clients.

Noteworthy achievements include advising and developing in the first ever Office of Technology and Innovation for the City of Atlanta under the current Mayor Dickens’ administration. Marlon is a mentor in tech incubators such as Techstars and Boom Startup. He is also an angel investor under his company Pathalt Investments.

Cannon Kent-Grant

Cannon Kent-Grant embodies an unyielding passion for music composition and the talented individuals who bring it to life. As the National Director of Promotion at Atlantic Records, she orchestrates promotional schedules for renowned artists such as Janelle Monaè, Cardi B, Jack Harlow, and Gucci Mane, to name but a few. Her innovative promotional strategies and unwavering dedication to the arts have been the cornerstone of her nearly two-decade tenure with Warner Music Group, where her influence continues to shape the industry’s landscape. With an enduring zeal for nurturing emerging talent and expanding their influence, Cannon forges connections between artists and their audience through meticulously curated experiences, digital marketing strategies, promotional campaigns seeking to propel new talent to the forefront of the industry.

Her unwavering commitment to the music community is further exemplified through her role as a Governor on The Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter Board, where she champions the
advancement of the industry and the artisans within it. Notably, Cannon has been elected as the Atlanta Chapter Secretary for the 2024 term, a testament to the trust placed in her vision for the future of music in Atlanta. Beyond her remarkable contributions to the music sphere, Cannon has dedicated five years to service on the board of Hosea Feed the Homeless, culminating in the honor of chairing the organization in her final year. Her altruistic endeavors reflect her broader commitment to the well-being of the community and her unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact.

Hon. Mo Ivory

Mo Ivory serves as Fulton County Commissioner for District 4, representing Atlanta’s core neighborhoods. Her district includes Downtown, Midtown, areas northwest of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, neighborhoods northeast and southeast of Downtown below I-20 to the Clayton County line (including the Porsche Headquarters), Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Hapeville, areas surrounding Tyler Perry Studios, and portions of East Point and College Park.

Commissioner Ivory is deeply committed to progress and serving as a resource for her community. With a multifaceted career as an attorney, law professor, media personality, entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate, she has empowered and supported others for decades.

Mo’s ability to connect with people and address community needs stems from her expertise in law, politics, and media. She has hosted prominent radio shows on Atlanta’s V-103 FM and WAOK 1380 AM and has provided political and legal commentary on CNN, HLN, MSNBC, TVOne, and Fox 5 Atlanta’s Georgia Gang.

Her passion for service extends through a wide array of leadership and volunteer roles. She has served as Board Chair for the Rialto Center for the Arts Advisory Board, Board Member for T23 Cares, Inc., and a member of the GSU College of Law Admissions Committee. Her involvement also includes organizations such as the United Way of Greater Atlanta, National Urban League, NAACP, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and Hosea Feed the Hungry. Additionally, she has held roles with the Mary Parker Foundation, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, and the Atlanta License Review Board, appointed by former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

Mo is an active member of the Georgia Bar Association, Spelman College Alumnae Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Links, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

For over 20 years, Commissioner Ivory has worked on initiatives to improve education, criminal justice reform, healthcare, small business development, and voting rights across Georgia. She spearheaded “Mo’s Voting Party,” an innovative Get Out the Vote campaign that transported more than 50,000 people to early voting locations with the support of celebrity entertainers. This effort garnered national attention for its impact on voter turnout.

Before her current role at Georgia State University College of Law as a Professor of Practice and Director of the Center for Entertainment, Sports, and IP Law, Mo taught entertainment law at Howard University School of Law. She also practiced law at King & Spalding, served as in-house counsel for Scientific-Atlanta, and provided legal expertise for Turner Broadcasting, SunTrust Bank, and Cisco Systems.

Mo holds a degree in Political Science from Spelman College and a law degree from Temple University School of Law.

Mo is proud of her diverse heritage – which includes her mother, a native of the Dominican Republic and her grandmother, who immigrated from Mexico and lived to be 110 years old, passing away a few years ago as the oldest Mexican national on record in the United States. Mo is the first Afro-Latina member of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

In 2016, she received one of her highest honors: being featured in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., where her quote reflecting on her time at Spelman College is displayed in the museum’s sports gallery.

Her dedication and leadership have earned numerous accolades, including the Drum Major for Justice Benevolence Award from the SCLC Women Inc., the Power Player Award from the Black-Latino Council of America, and recognition as one of Atlanta Business League’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence. Mo has also hosted countless community and corporate events for organizations like The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, and UNCF.

Mo’s work exemplifies her commitment to progress, service, and empowering others to thrive.

Hon. Robb Pitts

Robb Pitts is the Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners, elected in 2017. He previously served on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners from November 2002 to December 2014. During his tenure, he advocated for diversification in revenue sources to relieve the tax burden on property owners. Robb previously served as a member of the Atlanta City Council for two decades, chairing the Finance and Community Development Committees for most of those years. He was elected to serve as the Council’s President from 1997 – 2001. Robb encouraged efficiency in city operations and procurement procedures, earning a reputation as the “taxpayers’ watchdog” by scrutinizing spending and diligently reviewing the annual budgeting process. During his tenure as President of the Atlanta City Council, he was a strong supporter of initiatives leading to tax relief for the elderly, including the reduction of sanitation fees and a increase in homestead exemptions for qualified seniors. A businessman and former college professor, Robb earned undergraduate, graduate and post- graduate degrees in education, business, languages and Latin American Studies at Ohio University, La Academia Hispano americana, Kent State University and La Universidad Inter americana. He has a master’s degree in business administration from Emory University and is a former member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors. A registered broker with Mass Mutual Perimeter, he is also the owner and President of R.L.P. Corporation, an international business consulting firm. Robb was an Assistant Professor at Clark Atlanta University, a visiting professor and guest lecturer at Oberlin College, and an instructor at Kent State University. Active in a variety of community programs and an avid patron of the arts, Robb has served on the boards of organizations such as the Georgia Municipal Association, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Atlanta Economic Development Corporation, the Urban Residential Finance Authority, the Latin American Association, the Atlanta Ballet, the Arts Festival of Atlanta, and the Center for the Puppetry Arts. He is also a lifetime member of the NAACP. Robb is fluent in Spanish and has an extensive background in international affairs. In 2003, hemsponsored legislation leading to the creation of the Fulton County Office of International Affairs. He played a key role in presenting Atlanta’s Olympic bid to the International Olympic Committee. He has participated in numerous international cultural exchange programs, including the Friendship Force and the Sister Cities program. He has also worked closely with Georgia’s Consular Corps. A native of Haddock, Georgia, Robb and his wife Fran have a daughter.

David Simpkins

Founder &President, SPR Cold Storage & Distribution

David Simpkins is the Founder and President of SPR Cold Port, LLC, a leading cold chain logistics and infrastructure company focused on delivering advanced refrigerated warehousing and distribution solutions across key global ports and airports. With a career built at the intersection of supply chain innovation, infrastructure development, and strategic trade logistics, David has emerged as a national leader in the design and deployment of multimodal cold storage facilities that serve pharmaceutical, seafood, agriculture, and protein industries.

Under his leadership, SPR has expanded its footprint across North America and the Caribbean, spearheading high-impact projects through public-private partnerships and regulatory excellence.

David’s expertise spans cold chain compliance (FDA, USDA, EU GDP, IATA CEIV Pharma), smart warehouse design, and sustainability-driven operations. He is recognized for his visionary approach in master planning infrastructure assets that integrate air-sea-land logistics, automation, and energy-efficient technologies.

Kellye Terrell

Kellye Terrell is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years of invaluable experience providing HR leadership in transportation, airline, corporate, and city government industries. She is well versed in fostering a healthy organization through implementing applicable policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to employment law, promoting leadership development, effective talent acquisition, DEI, and talent mobility practices while maintaining a pulse on the employee experience. She is the Executive HR Director at Georgia Institute of Technology, leading the HR Business Partners and Student Employment strategy. Kellye is passionate about her role and understands HR’s importance to an organization’s success. She challenges the status quo and looks for ways to improve People initiatives and processes that increase Employee performance and engagement while positively impacting the organization’s bottom line.

Kellye established a grassroots organization called AIYM – The Atlanta Initiative for Young Men – due to a desire to improve the future outlook of young men age 15 – 24 in the Atlanta community. The grassroots organization is committed to securing a successful future for young men by inspiring self-respect through the realization of their greatest talents and the identification of their true purpose. Kellye is also the owner of Candlelight Inspiration, a candle and candle accessory company.

Kellye is a native of Atlanta and married with two children. She holds a BS degree in English with a minor in Legal Studies from Georgia State University. Kellye is anchored in her faith and serves others and her community to make a difference. She has served on the Atlanta Commission on Women with the City of Atlanta and as a volunteer for Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie’s Selah Leadership Encounters. Kellye also delivers meals on Saturdays with her family for Meals on Wheels Atlanta. Her love of adventure takes her to travels near and far, with Italy as a favorite. She spends her time catching up with family and friends and enjoying fun times with unforgettable karaoke nights.