DeKalb County Advisory Roundtable with Dorian DeBarr, President, Decide DeKalb Development Authority

Join the Council for Quality Growth's DeKalb County Advisory Roundtable on August 1st at 8:30 AM in-person at Druid Hills Golf Club. 

Dorian DeBarr

President
Decide DeKalb Development Authority
Dorian DeBarr is an accomplished and passionate economic developer. As President of Decide DeKalb Development Authority (DDDA), one thing is apparent — Mr. DeBarr believes DeKalb County is a great place to live, work, and do business.

In partnership with DeKalb County via an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), Decide DeKalb serves as the primary facilitator of business development and job growth throughout the county. Since joining Decide DeKalb five years ago, Mr. DeBarr has guided the creation and implementation of Advance DeKalb, the Authority’s 501(c)(3) division. Advance DeKalb is responsible for raising funds over the next five years to promote inclusive job creation. DeBarr’s keen oversight has the team currently on par to meet and surpass its financial goals. Since 2016, DeBarr has raised Decide DeKalb’s annual budget three times over, an accomplishment for even the most seasoned financial officer. Mr. DeBarr led Decide DeKalb to deliver unprecedented job growth in needed employment centers and overall county investments in 2019 and 2020. Strong leaders depend on strong relationships and Mr. DeBarr fostered significant inroads in how Decide DeKalb was perceived by key stakeholders. He created comprehensive and collaborative relationships that proved beneficial for all parties. In 2020, Decide DeKalb introduced a more equitable and inclusive housing policy co-authored and chaired by Mr. DeBarr.

Before joining Decide DeKalb, Mr. DeBarr served as the chief financial officer (CFO) of Invest Atlanta, attracting investments to Atlanta’s most underserved communities.

Outside of the office, you will find Mr. DeBarr serving the community with his time and talent. He is a 2020 inductee into the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., a mentor and board member to Leadership DeKalb, and a board member of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, DeKalb Work Source, and DeKalb Library Foundation.

Mr. DeBarr is a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accounting degrees. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of CPAs. His proudest title to date is that of “dad” to his three amazing daughters.