The Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) recognized transformative leadership and community revitalization efforts on June 29 during the 2026 Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Convention Awards Ceremony, held at the Savannah Convention Center.
Two awards were presented to individuals whose dedication has significantly impacted their communities and contributed to the betterment of cities across Georgia.
Renaissance Award
William H. Gross is the recipient of the 2026 Georgia Cities Foundation Renaissance Award. This honor recognizes individuals or organizations that have made substantial contributions to downtown revitalization in Georgia communities.
For more than 40 years, Gross has demonstrated how thoughtful development, strategic investment, and historic preservation can create lasting economic and community impact. Since founding his company in 1983, he has transformed underutilized properties into housing, commercial spaces, and tourism destinations. Among his most notable projects is the rehabilitation of the historic Ware Hotel in Waycross — a long-vacant 1929 Art Deco landmark converted into affordable housing that sparked renewed downtown investment.
In Savannah, the Romana Riley Lofts transformed a 110-year-old school building into a senior living community, while projects in St. Marys and on Jekyll Island have strengthened Georgia's coastal tourism economy. Gross also serves on volunteer teams in Waycross and St. Marys through GMA's Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program.
"William Gross has spent a lifetime proving that preservation and economic development go hand in hand," said Pam Sessions, President of the Georgia Cities Foundation. "His vision, creativity and commitment to Georgia's communities have transformed historic properties into vibrant assets and created opportunities that will benefit residents and visitors for generations. His work reflects the very spirit of the Renaissance Award."
Starr Award
Monica Callahan, Planning and Development Director for the City of Madison, is the recipient of the 2026 Starr Award. Named in honor of Mike Starr, GCF's first president, it is GCF's highest recognition for exceptional leadership and innovative urban development.
For nearly three decades, Callahan has helped shape Madison into one of Georgia's premier downtown destinations, championing preservation, economic development, and housing opportunity. As the driving force behind the Madison Downtown Development Authority, she helped introduce workforce housing, mixed-use development, and affordable senior housing through projects including Walker Rose Lane, Jefferson Square Parkside, and Silver Lakes Court.
Her most transformative achievement may be Madison Town Park — a city block-sized gathering place whose surrounding redevelopment generated a 914 percent increase in adjacent property tax values. Under her leadership, the Madison DDA was recognized as a 2025 Rural Champion by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Callahan has also served as a statewide resource, helping develop and teach GMA's Advanced Downtown Development Authority training program and contributing to the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing. She was honored with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Historic Preservation Award in 2024.
"Monica Callahan exemplifies the spirit of the Starr Award through her unwavering commitment to community, thoughtful leadership and transformative vision," said Sessions. "Her work in Madison has become a model for communities throughout Georgia, demonstrating how preservation, housing and economic development can work together to create thriving downtowns."