Dan E. Sweat, Jr. papers

Born in 1933 in Waycross, Georgia, Dan Sweat first moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State College (now Georgia State University). Graduating with a B.A. in public administration in 1957, Sweat went on to have a successful career in public service and city development.

Sweat began his professional career as a court reporter for the Atlanta Journal while still attending college. After a brief service in the Navy, Sweat returned to his Journal job but was quickly appointed Information Director of DeKalb County under the leadership of Charles O. Emmerich. When Emmerich was appointed head of Economic Opportunity Atlanta, an anti-poverty agency, he convinced Sweat to serve with him. In 1966, Sweat moved to City Hall as Director of Government Liaison. He was appointed Chief Administrative Officer under Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. and continued to hold the position under Mayor Sam Massell. During his time with Mayor Massell, Sweat's accomplishments included coordinating Atlanta's "War on Poverty" and the Model Cities programs. After leaving City Hall in 1972, Sweat was appointed the first Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). His work at ARC included the establishment of the Chattachoochee River Corridor. The following year, Sweat left ARC to serve as president of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP), a private, nonprofit corporation created to establish a robust economic climate for Downtown Atlanta. During his fifteen years at CAP, Sweat helped organize and manage projects that included: the Bedford-Pine Redevelopment, the Urban Walls Project (the first in the US), the Fairlie-Poplar District, the redesign of Woodruff Park, and the development of Underground Atlanta. In 1988, Sweat left CAP to work for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, a philanthropic organization. Appointed by former President Jimmy Carter to coordinate The Atlanta Project in 1991, Sweat's goal was to establish Atlanta as a model of grassroots community involvement for improving the quality of life through partnerships and cooperation.

In addition to a successful professional career, Sweat contributed to the community by serving on various boards and foundations. His board membership included the Alliance for Human Services Planning, the Georgia Motor Club American Automobile Association (AAA), the Atlanta Partnership of Business and Education, the Atlanta Junior League, and the Georgia State University Foundation. Recognized by the New York Times as the "premier civic administrator," Sweat was honored with many awards during his service in city planning and development. These awards included the Shining Light Award given by WSB Radio - Atlanta Gas Light Company, and the Torch of Liberty Award given by the Anti-Defamation League. Sweat also continued to support his alma mater, Georgia State University, by founding the Dan E. Sweat Distinguished Chair in Educational Policy.

Sweat died on February 28, 1997, survived by his wife Tally, three children, and several grandchildren.