Citizens of the Year

Megan Strange has served for over two decades at North Cobb Christian School, where she currently leads as Upper School Principal. Her commitment to academic excellence and student growth has shaped countless lives and helped elevate the school’s standing in the community. Beyond her local contributions, Strange has demonstrated visionary leadership across the region by leading the Principals 101 leadership group through the Atlanta Christian School Association—mentoring and equipping fellow educators for effective leadership. Her influence also extends internationally, having served as a presenter and delegate at the Vancouver Symposium on Christian Education, where she shared insights and collaborated with global leaders in faith-based education.

In addition to her roles in education and civic service, Strange has faithfully led numerous domestic and international mission trips, guiding students and faculty in serving communities through hands-on ministry and outreach. Her leadership in missions reflects a heart for service, a global perspective, and a deep commitment to living out her faith through action. As an active and dedicated member of the Acworth Business Association, Strange consistently supports local initiatives and fosters strong partnerships between educational institutions and the business community. Her involvement reflects her deep belief in the value of collaboration and the importance of civic-minded leadership in strengthening the local economy and community.

Derek Caffe, Managing Director for CAFFE Realty and Founder/Chairman of Create Austell, exemplifies what it means to be a community leader and visionary. Through his tireless dedication, Caffe has worked to bring people together through “community walks,” fostering economic growth through real estate investment and create opportunities that make Austell a better place to live, work, and thrive.

His leadership in advancing arts and culture throughout his neighborhood, has not only elevated the city of Austell’s profile but has inspired others as well. Caffe’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and service reflects the very best of civic responsibility, serving as a stakeholder on the 2017, and 2022 Comprehensive Plans, 2021 LCI Plan, 2023 Multi-Use Trail Committee, 2024 City Agriculture Plan, and 2024 President of the Austell Business Association. Over his 15 years in Cobb, Caffe has continuously contributed to the wellbeing of the Austell community through his servitude and dedication.

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.

Michael Paris, a Cobb County native, took the helm at the Council for Quality Growth in late 2003 and has worked to expand the Council and to spread its mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth throughout the metro region and the state. With a degree in real estate from Georgia State University, Paris has more than 45 years of experience in real estate development, brokerage, land-use planning, and association management.

Paris is involved in numerous community and professional activities. His affiliations include the Board of Directors for, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, as well as volunteering for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, the Cobb County Planning Commission, and The Extension. He is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the Urban Land Institute, an Association Member of the Board of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, and a graduate of both Leadership Cobb and Regional Leadership Institute.

Recently, Paris served on The Extension’s $6.8M Capital Campaign Committee, raising funds for the 2023 addition of their 56-bed men’s dormitory. Tyler Driver, Executive Director of The Extension, said “He helped the organization raise $7,000,000 in record time so we can serve more people. In the process, the trajectory of the families he touched is forever changed. They have opportunities they never felt possible because he believed they deserved their best future too.” Throughout his years in Cobb, Paris has consistently put service above self in all he does, dedicating himself to helping improve the quality of life in East Cobb.

A lifelong resident of Cobb County, Barbie Brown has dedicated her life to creating a meaningful and lasting impact in her community. As the founder of The Brown Agency, she has built her business from the ground up, helping countless individuals build successful careers and brighter futures for their families with multiple branches in the area.

Brown is a selfless leader who serves on many non-profit committees, including serving on the board of directors and the treasurer of the Davis Direction Foundation in Cobb County, supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction and mental health challenges. She also served on the Board of Directors for The SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, where she helped to protect and support children who are victims of abuse and neglect, as well as the Board of Directors for Blue Thanksgiving, serving first responders and families in need. Her leadership and passion have helped raise over $300,000+ dollars through galas and local charity events that she has co-chaired. She gracefully balances her many roles—as a business owner, a community advocate, and dedicated citizen of Kennesaw.

Jason Gaines, Director of Planning at Croy Engineering, is a 20-year veteran of the planning and community/economic development profession. Gaines oversees Croy’s planning efforts, supports existing clients while building new relationships, and works with communities to develop plans that leverage their unique assets. As a proud Mableton resident, he holds a deep appreciation for the city and has long supported its planning efforts. He now serves Mableton in both a professional and personal capacity—leading Croy’s team in assisting with a range of City projects, while also serving as Chair of the Mableton Development Authority Board.

Gaines currently serves as a member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Council for Quality Growth’s Board of Directors, as well as its North Fulton Advisory Committee. He is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is a graduate of Leadership Cobb, Leadership Dekalb, and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) programs. He has also been accepted as a participant in the Cobb Chamber’s 2026 Honorary Commander’s program.

Bill Bruton, Jr. has dedicated his entire professional life to public service and civic engagement. Serving as City Manager of Marietta since 2000, Marietta has been recognized for its strong financial stewardship, smart development policies, and proactive community engagement under his leadership. He has played a pivotal role in the development of the Marietta Square, supported key projects like the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, and worked collaboratively with local organizations to ensure the city’s public services are accessible, efficient, and community-focused.

Bruton is a member of the Georgia City-County Management Association (GCCMA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). He has served on numerous boards and task forces representing Marietta’s interests in regional planning, economic development, and municipal operations. His financial acumen and steady leadership have been recognized by peer associations, and his reputation for ethical governance has made him a trusted leader across Georgia.

Bruton has helped lead Marietta to receive multiple distinctions over his tenure, including top ratings in financial transparency, awards for urban planning, and recognition for innovative public-private partnerships. While he often deflects credit, his behind-the-scenes work has earned him widespread respect from elected officials, city staff, civic leaders, and residents. Through decades of steady, principled leadership, he has ensured that Marietta remains not only a well-run city, but also a thriving home for families, businesses, and the arts.

With 25 years of experience across civic, private, and nonprofit sectors, Tracy Styf is a recognized leader in community and economic development, known for her strategic insights and visionary leadership. As the Executive Director of the Town Center Community Improvement District, Styf collaborates with decision-makers, elected officials, business leaders, investors, and government agencies with the goal of making the Town Center Community one of the most accessible, prosperous, and exciting areas in metro Atlanta.

Under her direction, the Town Center CID has secured more than $130M in grant funding for projects like the award-winning Skip Spann Connector and Noonday Creek Trail. She currently oversees 15 projects totaling $75M, with a focus on improving transportation, public spaces, and regional connectivity. Styf has also led the following projects and initiatives: the first three phases of the South Barrett Reliever, the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Study and Freight Cluster Plan, the Regional Connected Vehicle Program, and the state’s first CID bikeshare program.

In addition to her work with the CID, Tracy founded the CID’s 501(c)(3) partner, the Town Center Community Alliance, which enhances the CID’s impact by delivering complementary programs and public space investments that benefit residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

As a committed community leader, Styf serves on the Executive Board of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and on the boards for the Council for Quality Growth, Georgia Transportation Alliance, Kennesaw State University, and the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater.

Her achievements have been recognized with several awards, including the 100 Influential Women to Know by Engineering Georgia for the past seven years, and she has been named a Notable Georgian for the past nine years by Georgia Trend magazine. Other recognitions include being honored as a member of the Georgia 500 by Georgia Trend Magazine, being named the 2017 Woman of Distinction by the Cobb Chamber’s Cobb Executive Women and being a member of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 class. She has also been recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 by Cobb Life Magazine and a 2014 Woman of Achievement by LiveSafe Resources. She is also a member of the 2012 Class of Leadership Cobb and was selected as the 2012 Spirit Award Winner.

Kat Schwaig initially served as interim president of Kennesaw State University in 2021 before being named president in 2022. Under her leadership, KSU has launched “Taking Flight,” a new strategic plan aimed at achieving national prominence and institutional excellence. During Schwaig’s tenure, KSU has embarked on a comprehensive student success initiative, established more than 50 new undergraduate and graduate degrees and minors, professional programs, and credentials for in-demand fields, launched FLIGHT — a class-year, student success engagement program for first-year students focused on community, progress, and retention, realized an 81% increase in external research awards, and more than doubled research expenditures. Schwaig also oversaw KSU’s move to Conference USA and relaunched HatchBridge, a community-focused business incubator.

Schwaig received the Oscar Burnett Award for Distinguished Achievement in Business from the Morris Brown College Foundation, the Cobb Executive Women’s Glass Ceiling Award, and Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making a Mark Award. A dedicated community partner and volunteer, she is the chair of SelectCobb and serves on the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. She previously served on boards for the Cobb Community Foundation, Mount Paran Christian School, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Cobb County, Junior Achievement of Georgia, Engage Scholarship Consortium, and the Alliance for Children Everywhere.

Joyette Holmes, Board Member on the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, has greatly contributed to the Cobb County community. She made Cobb County history by becoming the first female and African American to serve as both Chief Magistrate and District Attorney. In these roles, she helped maintain law and order within the community and improve public safety. Holmes tackled each case with a balanced approach of justice and compassion. She also served as a partner and member at the Marietta law firm of Gregory Doyle Calhoun and Rogers (GDCR) before being appointed by Governor Kemp to her current full-time role as a member on the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Along with her professional duties, Joyette serves on the boards of MUST Ministries, Wellstar’s Kennestone Regional Hospital Board, Kennesaw State University President’s Community Advisory Board, the Cobb County Prayer Breakfast Committee, and the Capital City Bank Advisory Board. She also serves on the board of the Cobb Chamber as Marketing Chair and as Co-Chair for Leadership Cobb’s 2026 class. As a testament to her well-respected reputation within the community, the Cobb NAACP and the Cobb Ministerial Alliance both honored her with awards named for United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. She also received a Community Service Award named for one of her mentors – retired Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham. Joyette is a dedicated public servant who continues to make the community better through her service.