President of Decide DeKalb Development Authority
Board Position: Member
Dorian DeBarr is a native son of DeKalb County and a champion for inclusive economic growth. Since assuming the role of President of Decide DeKalb Development Authority in 2021, DeBarr has led with a focus on strategic investments, job creation, and equitable redevelopment. Under his leadership, Decide DeKalb has facilitated more than $2.4 billion in investments and supported the creation and retention of over 11,000 jobs since 2020.
DeBarr has been instrumental in securing major economic development wins for DeKalb County, including projects with Sugar Bowl Bakery, TriNet, PepsiCo, and the Home Depot. In 2024, he announced the Southwest DeKalb Tax Allocation District (TAD) to catalyze private redevelopment along the Candler Road corridor and surrounding communities. That same year, the Market Square TAD was established in the North DeKalb Mall community, paving the way for EDENS’ redevelopment of Lulah Hills. This new 73-acre, mixed-use project will
feature 320,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 1,700 multifamily units, 100 townhomes, a 150-key hotel, and a PATH Foundation trail connection to Emory University.
In addition to his work at Decide DeKalb, DeBarr is an active civic leader. He serves on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta Advisory Board and participated in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s LINK trip to study innovative solutions to urban challenges. In 2024, he was invited to join the Rotary Club of Decatur and was elected Board Chair of Leadership DeKalb.
DeBarr’s leadership and impact have been widely recognized. He has been named to Georgia Trend Magazine’s 500 Most Influential Georgians multiple times, most recently in 2025, and was honored as a 2025 Most Notable Georgian. In 2025, he was recognized as a Titan 100 honoree, celebrating the top business leaders in Georgia. Looking ahead, DeBarr is a proud member of the 2026 Leadership Atlanta class, continuing his commitment to regional collaboration and leadership excellence.