Develop Fulton announced the appointments of Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson, Ph.D., and Yngrid Jones-Huff, deputy chief operations officer for Fulton County Schools, to its board of directors Jan. 9, following the county commission’s unanimous approval.
A nine-member board governs Develop Fulton (DAFC), the economic development agency for Fulton County. Members approve development projects, provide financial incentives, like tax breaks and bonds, and focus on driving job creation, investment, and growth.
The school boards governing each district can appoint one member to the board. Both of their terms end May 31, 2029. Each commissioner has one appointment, also requiring a vote.
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Jones-Huff joins the Develop Fulton Board with more than 25 years of experience leading large-scale organizational strategy, capital planning, and operations. She succeeds FCS Superintendent Mike Looney, whose term concluded last May.
Jones-Huff’s role at FCS
In her current role with Fulton County Schools, Jones-Huff oversees districtwide operations, including capital programs, facilities services, transportation, and nutrition. She is recognized for translating complex data into actionable strategies that strengthen performance, drive efficiency, and support equitable resource distribution.
Jones-Huff’s expertise in analyzing residential development trends and enrollment projections has guided long-range facility planning, school siting decisions, and multi-jurisdictional growth management efforts. The announcement says she is a trusted advisor to school board members, superintendents, and senior leadership teams.
Over the course of her career, she has helped shape multi-billion-dollar capital programs, comprehensive master planning initiatives, and districtwide redistricting and school consolidation efforts, like the closure of Spalding Drive Elementary in Sandy Springs.
Develop Fulton Executive Director Sarah-Elizabeth Langford said Jones-Huff’s operational expertise and deep understanding of growth dynamics across Fulton County make her an invaluable addition to the board.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mike Looney for his years of dedicated service and leadership,” Langford said. “We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with Fulton County Schools as we advance responsible, community-centered development throughout the county.”
Jones-Huff holds a master’s degree in agricultural and applied economics from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State University.
Johnson’s role at APS
Johnson is a former corporate executive and nationally recognized K-12 leader. The Develop Fulton Board says he brings a unique blend of private-sector and education leadership.
Johnson succeeds Erica Long, chief of policy for Atlanta Public Schools, whose board term also concluded last May.
Since assuming leadership of Atlanta Public Schools, the district has hit a graduation rate of 90.5 percent, the highest in its history, and seen improvements in grades three through eight on the state’s student readiness test.
In 2021, Johnson was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year and one of four finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year. He is currently spearheading APS Forward 2040, a modernization plan that reduces the number of underutilized school buildings, while deepening programming and expanding workforce development for students.
“Dr. Johnson brings a forward-thinking, results-driven perspective that underscores the critical connection between education, workforce readiness, and economic development,” Develop Fulton Board Kwanza Hall said. “We are grateful to Erica Long for her unwavering dedication, advocacy, and thoughtful leadership as a board member, and we look forward to Dr. Johnson’s contributions as we continue aligning education systems with Fulton County’s long-term growth strategy.”
Develop Fulton said the appointments of Johnson and Jones-Huff reinforce its commitment to education-focused leadership, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making to advance community-centered economic development across Fulton County.