After 17 years leading the Buckhead CID and five years at the helm of the Coalition, Durrett’s departure marks a pivotal moment for Buckhead’s future
Jim Durrett, the civic leader who has shaped Buckhead’s development for nearly two decades, announced his retirement from both the Buckhead Coalition and Buckhead Community Improvement District, effective early 2026. The announcement marks an inflection point for two organizations that have been instrumental in transforming Buckhead into Atlanta’s premier commercial and residential district.
Durrett, 68, has served as Executive Director of the Buckhead CID since 2009 and took on the additional role of President & CEO of the Buckhead Coalition in 2020, following the retirement of the organization’s legendary founder, former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell. His departure triggers a national search for a successor who will inherit leadership of both entities—a dual role that underscores the increasingly intertwined nature of Buckhead’s advocacy and infrastructure development.
A Legacy of Infrastructure and Innovation
The Buckhead native has deep roots in the community he has served with distinction. Under Durrett’s leadership, Buckhead has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure investment and development. He secured more than $52 million in local, state, and federal funds for critical infrastructure projects, while spearheading the initial concept for HUB404, the ambitious nine-acre highway-capping park over Georgia 400 that , if delivered, promises to become an iconic greenspace for the community.
“Jim has shaped Buckhead in ways that will be seen for generations,” said Thad Ellis, immediate past chair of the Buckhead CID and co-chair of the search committee. “He’s been a steady, visionary force—always thinking ahead, bringing people together, putting the community first. We are deeply grateful for his decades of civic work and wish him all the best as he embarks on a well-earned retirement,” Ellis told the Buckhead Coalition in their official announcement.
Durrett’s tenure has been marked by his ability to navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining the Coalition’s historical commitment to keeping Buckhead as an integral part of Atlanta. During debates over Buckhead cityhood—a movement that gained renewed momentum during the pandemic—Durrett stood firm in opposition, working to address residents’ concerns about crime and city services through enhanced public safety initiatives rather than secession.
“I don’t think it’s ever coming back because of the work we did to demonstrate that it was a bad idea born of real concerns,” Durrett told the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Splitting Buckhead from the city wasn’t going to address those concerns.”
Reflecting on his career, Durrett expressed satisfaction with his accomplishments. “It’s been a real privilege to be in the middle of a lot of important things over the past 30 years of my life,” he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Massell Foundation
To understand Durrett’s impact, one must first appreciate the foundation laid by Sam Massell, who established the Buckhead Coalition in 1988 with a clear mission: nurturing the quality of life in Buckhead while improving the community as an integral part of Atlanta. Massell, who served as Atlanta’s mayor from 1970-1974, assembled 75 CEOs and civic leaders to create what would become one of the most influential community organizations in the Southeast.
For 32 years, Massell served as the Coalition’s president, earning the unofficial title of “Mayor of Buckhead.” His philosophy was unwavering: Buckhead’s prosperity was inextricably linked to Atlanta’s success. Under his leadership, the Coalition successfully lobbied for the construction of Georgia 400, helped create the Buckhead CID in 1999, and established the blueprint for public-private partnerships that would define Buckhead’s development model.
The Coalition’s early achievements were substantial: securing major transportation infrastructure, establishing police residence incentives, helping fund the Atlanta Police Foundation, and implementing comprehensive security plans. Massell’s approach of convening business leaders, government officials, and civic organizations created a template for effective urban advocacy that continues today.
When Massell retired in 2020 at age 95, he left behind an organization with deep political connections, significant financial resources, and a proven track record of delivering results. His death in 2022 marked the true end of the Coalition’s founding era.
The Search for Succession
While Durrett’s accomplishments in infrastructure development and organizational management are substantial, his quieter, more collaborative leadership style never gained the sort of public admiration or political weight that Massell amassed during his three-decade tenure as the Coalition’s founding president. Massell was a larger-than-life figure who became synonymous with Buckhead itself, while Durrett operated more as a skilled facilitator working behind the scenes to deliver results.
This distinction raises an intriguing question for the search committee: should they seek a successor who follows Durrett’s model of steady, operational excellence, or attempt to find another charismatic figure in the Massell mold who can capture public imagination and wield significant political influence? The answer may depend on whether Buckhead needs a visible champion to navigate future challenges or a skilled administrator to manage its continued growth and development.
The choice between these leadership archetypes could define not just the next leader’s approach, but the very nature of how the Coalition engages with Atlanta’s political establishment and represents Buckhead’s interests in the years ahead.
The boards of both organizations have retained Russell Reynolds Associates to conduct a national search for Durrett’s successor. The search committee, co-chaired by Eric Tanenblatt and Thad Ellis, faces the challenge of finding a leader who can fill considerable shoes while adapting to Buckhead’s evolving needs.
“Our next leader will have big shoes to fill, so it’s essential to balance deep stakeholder and community development experience with the passion and vision to lead both organizations and champion economic development in Buckhead,” said Tanenblatt, immediate past chair of the Buckhead Coalition and global chair of public policy and regulation at law firm Dentons. “We are eager to build on Jim’s legacy while continuing to shape a vibrant future for Buckhead in the heart of metro Atlanta,” he stated in the Coalition’s official announcement.
The position specification reveals the complexity of the role: the new leader must serve as both a seasoned diplomat capable of navigating Atlanta’s intricate political landscape and a visionary strategist who can position Buckhead for future growth. They will need to maintain relationships with city and state officials, manage a diverse membership of 125 senior executives, and oversee a CID that has raised over $90 million in self-imposed taxes for infrastructure improvements.
Personal Reflections and Future Plans
As Durrett prepares for retirement, he looks forward to a more personal chapter in his life. “I feel like I’ve accomplished plenty, and I’d like to be able to spend time now being a husband, a father and a grandfather,” he told the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
The avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast plans to spend his retirement between two special places: a cottage in Serenbe and a yurt in Teton Valley, Idaho. “Both places provide incredible access to the outdoors, and that’s really important to both my wife and me,” Durrett said.
Durrett expressed both pride and confidence in the transition ahead. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Buckhead and the greater Atlanta community over the past four decades. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together – from transformative infrastructure projects to strengthening Buckhead’s voice in the region. As I prepare for this next chapter, I’m confident that the foundation we’ve built together will support a bold and visionary future for both organizations and Buckhead.”
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The incoming leader will inherit both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges. Buckhead’s continued growth as a commercial and residential hub presents ongoing development prospects, while persistent concerns about crime, traffic, and city services require sustained attention and innovative solutions.
The leader must also navigate the delicate balance between Buckhead’s distinct identity and its integration within Atlanta. While the cityhood movement has largely subsided, underlying tensions about municipal services and representation persist. The new leader will need to demonstrate whether Buckhead’s needs can be effectively addressed within Atlanta’s framework while maintaining the community’s unique character and influence.
Infrastructure development remains paramount. The HUB404 project, while still in early stages, represents the kind of transformational initiative that could define Buckhead’s next chapter. The new leader will need to shepherd this and other major projects through complex approval processes while securing continued funding from multiple sources.
Who Will Buckhead’s Next Leader Be?
While the search is just beginning, several leadership archetypes could emerge as strong candidates. The ideal successor might come from the ranks of experienced CID executives from other major metropolitan areas, bringing proven expertise in managing complex public-private partnerships and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Alternatively, the boards might seek a leader with deep Atlanta connections—perhaps a former city or state official who understands the regional political dynamics and can immediately leverage existing relationships. The Coalition’s history of a successful transition suggests they value continuity, but the changing nature of urban development may require fresh perspectives.
Corporate leaders with extensive community development experience could also be strong candidates, particularly those who have successfully balanced business interests with civic engagement. The Coalition’s membership base of senior executives might produce internal candidates who understand both the organization’s culture and Buckhead’s unique needs.
What seems certain is that the new leader will need to be both a skilled operator and a compelling vision-setter. They must be comfortable working with diverse stakeholders, from neighborhood associations to multinational corporations, while maintaining the Coalition’s effectiveness as both an advocacy organization and a driver of tangible improvements.
The Path Forward
As Buckhead enters this transition period, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The community has evolved into both the premier residential area in the Southeast and also a dense, mixed-use urban center that serves as Atlanta’s second downtown. The next leader will help determine whether Buckhead can maintain its competitive edge while addressing the challenges of success: traffic congestion, quality of city services provided to our residents, and the need for continued infrastructure investment.
The search committee expects to begin interviewing candidates this fall, with a decision likely by early 2026. This timeline allows for a structured transition period that should ensure continuity in the Coalition’s operations and strategic initiatives.
Jim Durrett’s retirement marks more than a leadership change—it represents an inflection point for Buckhead’s future. The next leader will inherit a strong foundation but must be prepared to adapt to rapid changes in urban development, technology, and community expectations. Their success will determine whether Buckhead continues to thrive as both a distinct community and an integral part of Atlanta’s growth story.
As the search unfolds, one thing remains clear: the next leader of the Buckhead Coalition and CID will play a crucial role in shaping not just Buckhead’s future, but Atlanta’s continued evolution as a major metropolitan center. The community’s ability to attract and retain the right leader may well determine its trajectory for the next generation.
The Buckhead Coalition and Buckhead CID are accepting applications for the President & CEO position through Russell Reynolds Associates at BuckheadLeadership@RussellReynolds.com. More information about the search process is available at thebuckheadcoalition.com.
