Tennell Atkins

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Personal Information

Tennell was elected in June 2007 to represent Dallas City Council District 8. The southern most district in Dallas.

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. Ford Motor Company appointed him to lead the Marketing and Development Department, Tractor Division covering a five state region. He was 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 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.

Tennell and his wife Marshella have been married for 28 years and have twin sons Todd and Tyler and two grandchildren. Councilman Atkins is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

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

Education

* Southern Methodist University, BBA

Employment

* CEO Redbird Development Corporation
o Aviation, management and investments
* CEO A&T Construction
o Commercial & residential
* CEO M &A Transportation
o Trucking Company in over 48 states