This year’s Golf Chastain honoree is Thad Ellis, a community-minded leader and dedicated civic volunteer whose personal and professional roots in Atlanta run deep.
Thad’s professional career spans more than 40 years in commercial real estate, with senior roles at Peterson Properties, CarrAmerica, and Cousins Properties. But it’s his longtime investment in youth sports, neighborhood development, and shared public spaces that has left a lasting mark across the city.
In the early 1990s, Thad and his family lived on Lake Forest Lane, just across from Chastain Park, where they began raising their young children. He spent many mornings and afternoons at the park—on the swings, fields, and playgrounds—creating memories and building a connection to the space that continues today.
As a volunteer coach, Thad dedicated years to youth football and basketball and supported his daughter’s softball teams at NYO—experiences that underscored his belief in the power of community and the importance of recreational spaces at Chastain. He also gave more than 20 years to Buckhead Baseball, helping shape the experience of countless families and players.
Thad’s civic leadership includes serving as Chair of the Buckhead Community Improvement District, and board member for the Buckhead Coalition, Boys and Girls Clubs of Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Chastain Park Conservancy. He has also supported the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Woodruff Arts Center’s corporate campaign. In the industry, he served as president and advisory board member of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAIOP).
A graduate of Washington and Lee University, Thad has remained an active alumnus, serving on the Alumni Board and chairing the university’s Annual Fund.
He is especially proud to share this honor with his family: Beth Ellis (wife), Thad Ellis (son), Drew Ellis (son), Laura Beth Telep (daughter), Matt Telep (son-in-law), and Russell Telep (grandson).
To learn more about this year’s Golf Chastain Tournament and how you can get involved, please contact Kira Burr at kira@chastainparkconservancy.org.
