Charles Whatley

Charles Whatley is the Director of the Office of Economic Development for DeKalb County.  As the Economic Development Director, Charles oversees the Jobs and Economic Growth Group and serves as a liaison between DeKalb County Government, private and public development agencies and the business community to promote economic development and efficient transactions.  Additionally, he promotes business development in DeKalb and helps expand the county's tax base through the addition of sustainable jobs and investment dollars.

Charles brings to DeKalb County 20 years of professional experience in economic development, including six years as the Manager of the Atlanta Development Authority's Business Development Division and as the Director of Commerce and Entrepreneurship.  He also spent 15 years as an independent consultant specializing in business models, strategic and marketing plans, opportunity and economic feasibility studies, and market forecasts for clients in the U.S., Malaysia, India, and Canada.

Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Yale University, and has completed course work for a Master of Science degree in economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Charles is also a member of numerous professional organizations including, the Urban Land Institute; the International Economic Development Council; the Council for Development Finance Agencies; the International Council of Shopping Centers; and Lambda Alpha International, the Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics.

Departmental Summary - Jobs and Economic Growth Group

The Jobs and Economic Growth Group (Economic Development and Workforce Development) is dedicated to bringing prosperity to DeKalb County through stimulating new investment, expanding existing industry, and developing sustainable economic strategies for balanced growth in every DeKalb community.  The Jobs and Economic Growth Group is led by the Economic Development Director and also provides residents with the tools that are vital in securing and maintaining employment, and also markets DeKalb to the world through its database of investment opportunities and commercial and industrial properties.