Page 62 - DeKalb Bicentennial Flipbook

DeKalb County CEOs

MANUEL MALOOF

1986-1992

Considered by many as The late Mr. Maloof played a significant role
the “Godfather” of Georgia in the transformation of DeKalb County from
Democratic politics, the historically conservative to leaning liberal. He also
entrepreneur of Manuel’s served as chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission,
Tavern on North High- a metro planning group, and the Association of County
land Avenue entered Commissioners of Georgia. He is credited with pushing
politics in 1974, first as a through the construction of the interstate cloverleaf known
Commissioner in DeKalb as Spaghetti Junction at I-85 and I-285 and for opening
County. “Who would ever positions in top government for minorities and women.
believe a bartender, a Lebanese, a Catholic, someone as ugly DeKalb County named its county administration
as me, could get elected in conservative DeKalb County?” he building and its annex the Manuel J. Maloof Center for
is famously quoted. DeKalb County Governmental Administration in 1989.

Dekalbcountyga.gov/chief-executive-office | (404) 371-2881 | 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur GA 30030

60 Sp i rit o f D eK alb – B i centen n ial 1822-2022