Highlighting the success of business men and women with the Metro-Atlanta area.

1. Send your board appointments, promotions and exemplary achievements for inclusion on our “People” page. Email the informa-
tion along with a color photograph to: kwhittaker@atlantatribune.com.
PeopleJULY 2014
DeLano Ford
DeLano Ford has been named executive director of Teach For America, Metro Atlanta.
Ford brings more than a decade of experience and expertise in education and community
engagement. As executive director, he will be responsible for overseeing daily regional
operations; building community partnerships; and cultivating private, public, and foundation
support. Ford served most recently as the deputy superintendent of the Louisiana Recovery
School District, where he collaborated with families, school boards and districts to transform
the state’s lowest-performing schools. Prior to this work, Ford served as the chief operating
officer of KIPP New Orleans Schools. With his leadership, KIPP New Orleans saw an increase
in quality service delivery, launched parent advocacy initiatives, and implemented a long-
term fundraising strategy. Ford holds a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and a
master’s in business administration from Cornell University.
Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker
Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker has been installed as the first African American and the third
woman to serve as president of the State Bar of Georgia in its 50-year history. Perkins-Hooker
is the vice president and general counsel of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. She is responsible for all legal
matters including general corporate transactions, corporate governance, compliance and risk
management. She previously served on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee as the
secretary and treasurer. Perkins-Hooker received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management
from Georgia Institute of Technology, master’s degree in business administration from Emory
University and a law degree from Emory University School of Law.
Erika Hayes James
Erika Hayes James has been appointed as dean of Emory University’s Goizueta Business
School — the first African-American woman to serve in that capacity. James will oversee
the development of the degree programs offered as well as strengthen the corporate
partnerships the school has built overtime. Previously, she served as the senior associate
dean of executive education at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University
of Virginia. Before gaining her position as dean of Goizueta, she served as an assistant
professor from 1998-2001. James received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s
and doctorate degree in Organizational Psychology.
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