Burrell Ellis

Prior to becoming DeKalb County CEO, Ellis practiced law for more than 20 years, primarily in real estate development.

In the November 2000 election, Ellis defeated two challengers to serve the citizens in the commission's fourth district, and he was reelected in 2004.

During his tenure on the commission, Ellis served five terms as its presiding officer, where he led the board through its most extensive reorganization ever, ensuring openness and transparency in the legislative process.

His legislative accomplishments include authoring the county's innovative Local Small Business Enterprise Ordinance and championing Georgia's first comprehensive Clean Indoor Air Ordinance to protect the health of tens of thousands of DeKalb County citizens from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

During his first year in office, Ellis implemented a major restructuring of government by grouping departments by function into the following operating units: development, infrastructure, public safety and administration.

On February 22, 2011, Ellis announced that DeKalb County had cut more in spending than any other local government in the Atlanta metropolitan region since he took office.

The organization works directly with the principal decision-makers in all areas of the federal government to ensure the concerns of counties and their citizens are addressed at the national level.

In January 2012, DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James convened a grand jury to investigate allegations of corruption.

Nathan Deal suspended Ellis and appointed Dekalb County Commissioner Lee May as interim chief executive officer.