Inside the GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: North Fulton Advocacy, GA 400 Mobility, Workforce, and Regional Growth (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 114)
Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, recaps the Chamber’s 2026 DC Fly-In with Judge Gardner, Chair of Government Affairs for GNFCC and Director of Regional Operations with Atlanta Gas Light, and Tim Perry, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Jamestown and Chairman of the Board for True North 400 CID.
The conversation highlights why the Chamber brings North Fulton business and community leaders to Washington, DC each year: to meet directly with elected officials, hear from policy experts, advocate for regional priorities, and strengthen the relationships that help North Fulton speak with a more unified voice. Judge and Tim describe the fly-in as both an advocacy opportunity and a relationship-building experience, giving local leaders concentrated time with one another and with the people shaping federal policy.
A major focus of this year’s trip was mobility along the GA 400 corridor, including MARTA funding and the opportunity to incorporate express lane transit stations during the current express lanes’ construction. Tim explains why North Fulton’s growth makes long-term transit planning urgent, especially with the Chattahoochee River creating a major transportation funnel into Atlanta. Judge adds that the GA 400 project is a generational infrastructure investment tied directly to workforce movement, economic opportunity, and the region’s future competitiveness.
The episode also touches on workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, cybersecurity, Gwinnett Technical College’s expansion, and the Chamber’s broader government affairs work. Judge and Tim close by sharing what gives them optimism about North Fulton’s future: collaboration, continued investment, and a shared commitment among business and civic leaders to build a region that works better for employers, residents, and the next generation.
The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- The GNFCC DC Fly-In gives North Fulton business and community leaders direct access to elected officials, policy experts, and national conversations that affect the region.
- Advocacy is an ongoing part of the Chamber’s work, not a once-a-year trip. The Fly-In helps North Fulton leaders bring regional priorities to Washington with a unified voice.
- GA 400 mobility was a central issue this year, including the opportunity to incorporate Express Lane Transit stations during the current express lanes construction.
- Transportation, workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, and cybersecurity are connected issues that all affect North Fulton’s long-term business climate.
- Regional collaboration among the Chamber, True North 400 CID, local governments, business leaders, and education partners is essential to keeping North Fulton competitive.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:20 Kali Boatright introduces the 2026 DC Fly-In and guests Judge Gardner and Tim Perry
01:49 Why the Chamber takes North Fulton leaders to Washington each year
02:43 Tim Perry on True North 400 CID, regional leadership, and speaking with a stronger voice
03:49 Judge Gardner and Tim Perry share their business and community leadership roles
05:32 Why in-person conversations in DC help leaders cut through political noise
08:14 GA 400 mobility, MARTA funding, and Express Lane Transit stations
11:14 Judge Gardner on infrastructure, workforce movement, and North Fulton’s future growth
13:19 Meetings with Senators Warnock and Ossoff, Congresswoman McBath, and Congressman McCormick
16:19 Workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, and cybersecurity themes from the Fly-In
21:49 Judge Gardner on why business leaders need to stay engaged in advocacy
23:56 Tim Perry on regional collaboration, True North 400 CID, and mobility investments
26:02 What gives Judge and Tim optimism about North Fulton’s next five to 10 years
Judge Gardner III, Director of Regional Operations, Atlanta Gas Light
Judge Gardner is the Director of Regional Operations for Atlanta Gas Light. Judge also serves as the Co-Chair of GNFCC’s Government Affairs Committee.
Atlanta Gas Light is the largest natural gas distributor in the Southeast. The company provides delivery service to approximately 1.55 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Georgia. In Georgia’s deregulated natural gas market, Atlanta Gas Light distributes natural gas for marketers, maintains the gas system infrastructure, responds to gas leaks, performs meter reading, and helps ensure the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas to Georgia customers. The company also provides online customer information about natural gas and gas-fueled products. Beyond its core service role, Atlanta Gas Light is active in the communities it serves through donations to energy assistance programs, contributions to nonprofit agencies, and support for employees’ volunteer efforts throughout the state.
Website | Judge Gardner LinkedIn
Tim Perry, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Jamestown
Tim Perry serves as Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, for Jamestown. Tim is also the Chair of True North 400.
Jamestown is a global real estate investment and management company with over 40 years of experience creating places that foster innovation and build community. As of March 31, 2026, Jamestown manages $14.3 billion in assets across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Jamestown employs more than 600 people globally across 11 offices, including headquarters in Atlanta and Cologne. Through its vertically integrated platform, Jamestown brings a design-focused, hospitality approach to diverse product types, including retail, office, residential, mixed-use, and grocery-anchored shopping centers. Jamestown’s current and previous projects include One Times Square and Chelsea Market in New York; Industry City in Brooklyn; Ponce City Market in Atlanta; Ghirardelli Square and Levi’s Plaza in San Francisco; and Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam.
About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
GNFCC promotes the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.
