There are two additions to the staff of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. In March, Robert (“Bob”) S. Godlewski joined as Director of External Affairs. Roland K. Young came aboard as Citizen Participation Advocate late last month.
As Director of External Affairs, Mr. Godlewski is responsible for maintaining an ongoing liaison with the media and keeping the public informed about the progress of Atlanta’s visionary BeltLine project. He also oversees all aspects of communications, publications, website management, and external affairs for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., working closely with counterparts within the BeltLine Partnership, the City of Atlanta and other partners to advance the overall communications objectives supporting BeltLine implementation.
Mr. Young, the newly named Citizen Participation Advocate, will spearhead implementation of the BeltLine Community Engagement Framework, and will collaborate with partners to build awareness throughout Atlanta for this 25-year legacy project. He will help keep the community informed about BeltLine impacts and help ensure active, meaningful participation.
Robert Godlewski, Director External Affairs
Prior to joining the BeltLine staff, Mr. Godlewski worked for UPS as Public Relations Manager on Special Assignment to Organizational Development at Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, where he was responsible for leading a team creating new job models for the UPS PR Department.
Mr. Godlewski previously was Manager, National Media Relations, for UPS. In this position he coordinated national and international broadcast and print media interviews and stories for various members of the firm’s Management Committee. He also served as corporate spokesperson on a variety of issues.
Mr. Godlewski led the PR Department’s Crisis Communications function and co-authored the Corporate Crisis Plan. He also was the liaison to the International PR Team and helped launch the UPS “Out of the Box” Small Business Contest. Prior to UPS, he did public relations and advertising with the Atlanta office of the Hill and Knowlton PR agency and with the Tucker, Ga.-based Oglethorpe Power Corp.
Mr. Godlewski built his career in corporate public and media relations on an extensive background in print and broadcast journalism. He worked for many media outlets including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WSB-TV, CNN, WTBS and Women’s Wear Daily. He has been a copy editor, bureau chief, newspaper and radio reporter, and TV news and documentary producer.
Mr. Godlewski earned his B.A. degree in Political Science from Furman University. He did Post-Graduate studies in Screenwriting and Public Relations at UCLA, and was awarded his Mid-Management Certificate from Georgia Tech.
Mr. Godlewski may be reached at RGodlewski@ATLBeltLine.org or 404-614-8335.
Roland Young, Citizen Participation Advocate
Mr. Young began his career as an Urban Employment Analyst with the City of Oakland, California. Mr. Young subsequently served as Educational Development Officer with Neighborhood Housing Services of America, Inc. He also has worked in public affairs capacities with such companies as Bechtel Corporation and AGL Resources, Inc. Mr. Young has held responsible staff and leadership positions working extensively and successfully with individuals, community groups, local officials, property owners, local government officials and others to achieve “win-win” solutions for all parties.
Since moving to Atlanta in 1996, Mr. Young has served as a Metro-Atlanta United Way loaned executive, campaign manager and program evaluator. In addition, he has been a board member of the Economic Empowerment Incentive, secretary of the Historic College Park Neighborhood Association, volunteer for Hands on Atlanta, and a tutor at Parkside Elementary School.
Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Young graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned a Master of Arts from Occidental College, and is a graduate of the CORO Fellows Public Affairs Leadership program.
Mr. Young may be reached at RYoung@ATLBeltLine.org or 404-588-5474.
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