Michael Paris, President and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, has been named the 2025 East Cobb Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber’s East Cobb Area Council. The award recognizes individuals whose actions have had a lasting impact on their community and who serve as role models for others. Recipients are selected based on nominations from the local area.
Paris, a native of Cobb County, has led the Council for Quality Growth since 2003. During his tenure, he has worked to expand the council’s influence and promote balanced growth in both the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. His leadership and commitment have contributed significantly to many aspects of life in East Cobb.
He is active in several organizations, including serving on boards for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Paris also volunteers with groups such as the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Cobb County Planning Commission, and The Extension. He holds memberships in professional associations like the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and Urban Land Institute.
Over more than thirty years, Paris has played a key role in supporting the YMCA in Cobb County by helping establish new branches and programs that benefit local families. Recently, he assisted The Extension’s Capital Campaign Committee to raise funds for expanding their men’s dormitory facility. 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 has touched is forever changed. They have opportunities they never felt possible because he believed they deserved their best future too.”
The award was presented at an East Cobb Area Council breakfast held at Indian Hills Country Club.
For more information about Area Councils, contact Katie Guice at kguice@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2334.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Kaiser Permanente as Series Presenting Sponsor; Program Sponsor is Cobb Community Foundation; Capital City Bank is Citizen of the Year Award Sponsor.
