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It isn't much of a stretch to say that Kasim Reed is a lot like the city he will be governing for another four years - energetic, resilient, brash, pragmatic, competitive and results-oriented. And very likely the smartest guy in the room.
Reed first took office in 2010 when the recession still had the city reeling. He won a contentious runoff election by only 714 votes; four years later, he was returned to office with 85 percent of the votes.
"I believe very strongly in being first," Reed says, "and I compete to be first."
During his initial term, he pushed a tough pension reform bill through the Atlanta City Council, increased the number of police officers on the street and oversaw a drop in the city's crime statistics.
"I just feel good about our direction, and I think people feel like the city is moving again," he said in an interview with Georgia Trend at City Hall.
He is proud of his success in turning around the pension program: Other cities are struggling to slay that particular dragon. He likes to list the major companies that are relocating or adding jobs in Atlanta. He points to the significant federal TIGER grants that will benefit the BeltLine and the Streetcar projects. He's very happy that the Falcons will continue to play in downtown Atlanta - and somewhat resigned to the fact that the Braves won't.
But what clearly distinguishes Reed from other mayors - Atlanta's and other cities' - is his statewide perspective. You could easily make the case that he has pushed the city limits to the coast. A Democrat with strong ties to the Obama Administration, he has a solid working relationship with Gov. Nathan Deal and other Republican officials and is an ardent champion of the Savannah port and the effort to deepen it - something he considers essential for economic development in Atlanta as well as Georgia.
For his accomplishments in Atlanta and his leadership on matters affecting the state's economy, Mayor Kasim Reed is Georgia Trend's 2014 Georgia of the Year.
"Kasim is an effective leader for the city of Atlanta," says Gov. Nathan Deal, "as evidenced by his overwhelming reelection victory. But the mayor's interests extend far beyond parochial...