(Top L-R Rick Bennett, Co-founding Partner, Bennett Thrasher; Sam Olens, Fmr. Georgia Attorney General; Michael Owens, Mayor, City of Mableton; Grant Rivera, Superintendent, Marietta City Schools)
(Bottom L-R Heather Ross, VP Strategic Communications, Genuine Parts; Casey Tanner, VP of External Affairs, KSU; Reed Weigle, Regional Vice President, Brasfield & Gorrie)
Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) announced seven new members to serve on the Board of Directors, bringing the total number of board members to 30.
We are so proud to welcome these highly-accomplished individuals to our board, and we look forward to working with them on upcoming initiatives. Each one is not only incredibly well-respected in their field, but also deeply committed to Cobb County. To truly be an effective catalyst for a thriving community, we must have a diverse board made up of well-known community leaders with varied experiences and expertise. This board reflects that vision.
The new board members began their two-year terms with CCF effective January 1, 2025. Below is a short description of each of them:
- Richard (Rick) Bennett is Co-Founding Partner of Bennett Thrasher, established in 1980. Prior to founding the firm, Rick worked at Price Waterhouse LLP in Atlanta as an Audit Senior and Tax Manager. He has extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions, business consulting, and tax planning for corporations, partnerships, and individuals. Rick has worked with clients across various industries, including real estate, construction, manufacturing, cable television, advertising, and more. He also has expertise in succession planning for beverage distributors and consulting for closely-held and family-owned businesses.
- Sam Olens, former Georgia Attorney General (twice elected in 2010 and 2014), championed initiatives against sex trafficking, prescription drug abuse, and transparency in government (guiding a comprehensive revision of Georgia’s sunshine laws). Previously, he served as chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and was recognized nationally for his leadership in regional problem-solving. Olens later became president of Kennesaw State University and is now a partner at Dentons’ Public Policy practice in Atlanta, focusing on state attorneys general and local government affairs. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service, Sam and his wife have two children and eagerly await their first grandchild in February.
- Michael Owens, the first elected Mayor of Mableton, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming the community. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Michael served eight years in communications, engineering, and counter-terrorism before transitioning to a successful cybersecurity career, leading projects in 100 countries across finance, healthcare, and government. Deeply committed to public service, he founded the South Cobb Voter Empowerment Project in 2013 and served as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Cobb County (2016-2019). Michael is a graduate of Leadership Cobb (2017) and Leadership Georgia (2018) and poised to guide Mableton to new heights of progress and prosperity.
- Grant Rivera, Superintendent of Marietta City Schools, leads 12 schools serving 8,900 students and 1,200 employees. Previously, he was Chief of Staff for Cobb County Schools and a high school principal for nine years at South Cobb, Campbell, and Westlake High Schools. Grant began his career as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and coach. He holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Alabama, where he earned his Doctorate in Education with a focus on school law. A consultant and adjunct professor, he is passionate about school improvement and family engagement. Grant and his wife, Jenn, have two daughters.
- Heather Ross is a seasoned communications leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic communications. Based in Atlanta, GA, she currently serves as Vice President of Strategic Communications at Genuine Parts Company. Heather has held key roles at Genuine Parts Company and Global Payments, leveraging her expertise in Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, and Strategic Planning. She excels in aligning communication strategies with business objectives, managing crisis situations, and fostering collaboration. She holds a degree from Ashford University.
- Casey Tanner is vice president of external affairs at Kennesaw State University, where she oversees government and community relations, economic development, and career services. She joined KSU in January 2023 after holding roles at the University System of Georgia and Georgia Tech. Casey earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. She is a member of the Leadership Cobb Class of 2025 and a past president of Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s Atlanta Network. She also serves on the alumni board for UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs.
- Reed Weigle is the Healthcare Division Manager and Regional Vice President in Atlanta at Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC, overseeing critical facilities and healthcare projects. He ensures strategic direction, operational excellence, and quality outcomes for clients while fostering long-term partnerships. A passionate community builder, Reed has served on the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Advisory Board and the American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team. He co-founded Wellstar’s Men in Philanthropy and supported Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta initiatives. Recognized in Cobb Life and Building Design + Construction’s “Top 40 Under 40,” Reed holds a degree in building construction from Auburn University and cherishes family life with his wife and four children.
We want to express our gratitude to Darion Dunn, Ken Harmon, Alana Mueller, Travis Reeves, Gaspar Rodriguez, Trey Sanders, and Tracy Styf who each concluded their board service in 2024. With their help, we achieved the goals we set for the year.
