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City Council District 8
Biography: Councilmember Tennell Atkins
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Tennell Atkins was elected in June 2007 to represent Dallas City Council District 8 - the most far south district in Dallas. His 3rd term as a City Council Member begins in June, 2011.
District 8 has a diverse population of African Americans, Hispanics, Anglo and Asian constituents. District 8 has the following business nodes: Dallas Executive Airport, Southwest Center Mall, Dallas Logistics HUB, University of North Texas and a Free Trade Zone.
Councilman Atkins serves as Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Southern Sector Economic Opportunities; Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee and he is a member of the Housing and Public Safety Committee.
Councilman Atkins is an active participant and supporter of the National League of Cities and its Economic Development Policy Committee, the Charlie Taylor Foundation, the Southern Methodist University Doak Walker Board, Southern Methodist University Lettermen Association, the Oak Cliff Jaguars Youth Foundation, and the Oak Cliff RAM Youth Baseball organization.
Tennell brings strong entrepreneurial and business skills to the council. He has serves as the CEO of three diverse businesses. In the early 80s, Ford Motor Company appointed him to lead the Marketing and Development Department, Tractor Division covering a five state region. He was also one of few African American licensed ICC Transportation carriers in the state. He was the only African American master leaseholder of a general aviation facility in the country. While CEO of a general construction firm, he built custom homes, retail, industrial, hotels and government buildings.
Councilman Atkins’ experience and skills will continue to serve him well as he guides the largest current business development project in Dallas (Dallas Logistics HUB). The HUB is expected to create up to 40,000 new jobs.
Council Committees
- Mayors’ Task Force on Southern Sector Economic Development – Chair
- Economic Development – Vice Chair
- Public Safety – member
- Housing - member
Outside Board & Committees
- National League of Cities (NLC) Community and Economic Development Policy Committee
- Charley Taylor Foundation
- Southern Methodist University Doak Walker Board
- Southern Methodist University Lettermen Board
- Southern Methodist University Bus Brigade Committee
Education
- Southern Methodist University, Bachelors in Business Administration
- Trinity Institutional Seminary, Honorary Doctorate of Divinity
Awards
- 2006 Bishop Dunne Catholic School Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2007 NAACP Community Service Award
- 2008 Dallas Firefighters Association Outstanding Service Award
- 2009 Southern Dallas Development Corporation Community Leadership Award
- 2010 Dallas Firefighters Association Councilmember of the Year
- 2011 Texas Legislative Black Caucus Outstanding Community Leader
- 2011 The Family Institute and Partnering Churches Award of Excellence
Employment
- CEO Redbird Development Corporation
- Aviation, management and investments
- CEO A&T Construction
- Commercial & residential
- CEO M &A Transportation
- Trucking Company in over 48 states
Personal
- Lifelong resident of Dallas;
- Member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church;
- Member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.;
- Married to Marshella – 30 years;
- Twin sons-Todd and Tyler (28 years old) and three grandchildren: Evan, Kennedy and Ethan.
