Albert G. Edwards is President and CEO of Corporate Environmental Risk Management (CERM),

a Program Management and Engineering firm headquartered in Atlanta, DeKalb County, Georgia. Cofounded

with the late Marcus L. Reese in 1995 as the first business to matriculate through the South

Dekalb Small Business Incubator, CERM has grown to become one of the largest minority-owned

engineering firms in the Southeast. The two met in their hometown of Prichard, Alabama, through an

internship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Throughout his professional career,

Edwards has been a champion for workforce development, youth education, and corporate

accountability, like the very program that introduced him to the industry.

The common thread woven through each of Edwards' corporate, civic, and community endeavors is

inclusive, sustainable development that forges a path for present and future leaders. In addition to

casting CERM's vision and strategy, Edwards serves as Chair and member on the boards of various

organizations including those focused on economic development, small business, and education

interest across the southeast region. An acclaimed business and community leader, Edwards' recent

honors include the Thomas W. Dortch Leadership Award by the Atlanta Business League (ABL),

COMTO's Trailblazer Award, the Maynard H. Jackson Legacy Leadership Award presented by the

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Dekalb County Chamber of Commerce's Sirius

Star Award for Public Service and Leadership, the Atlanta Tribune's Minority Business Owner of the

Year, the NAACP Earl T Shinhouster Youth Services Award, and the Diversity Leadership Award from

Women in Transportation Seminar. Additionally, Governor Brian Kemp appointed Edwards as a board

member to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District highlighting his involvement in

regional planning initiatives. Edwards' work demonstrates his belief that intentional leadership,

collaborative insight, and meaningful partnerships are an authentic habitat for building communities.

Edwards earned his MBA in Technology Management from Kennesaw State University, and a

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Mississippi Valley State University. He also holds

specialized training in engineering, environmental, and business management from Georgia Tech,

Dartmouth, and Harvard. As the father of two, an avid golfer, and an active member of Omega Psi Phi

Fraternity, this advocate, mentor, and friend brings together the nonprofit, government, business, and

community sectors to solve real problems.

Professional Affiliations

• Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Governing Board
• Advance DeKalb, Charter Board Member and Former Treasurer
• American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Georgia, Former Board Member
• Atlanta Business League, Immediate Past Board Chair
• Atlanta Rotary, Club Member
• Botanical Sciences, Inc., Board of Directors
• CERM Legacy Foundation, Charter Board Member and Chairman
• Council for Quality Growth, Board of Directors, Immediate Past Chair
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
• DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Former Board of Directors Member, Past Chairman
• Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation, Former Trustee
• U.S. Small Business Administration Regulatory Fairness Board, Board Member, Region IV, National Workforce Development

Founded in 1991 by Dydra Virgil and Delphyne Lomax Taylor, V&L Research and Consulting, Inc. (V&L) has grown to become one of the top 50 market research firms, proudly certified by the American Marketing Association. For over three decades, V&L has empowered hundreds of clients by providing vital insights to enhance, develop, and assess their services through comprehensive data analysis, focus groups, surveys, and other innovative research methodologies.

Our commitment to delivering precise, actionable information has helped organizations improve their services efficiently and cost-effectively. Throughout our 30+ year history, we have conducted hundreds of studies to uncover key consumer insights and assess public perceptions. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, from local, state, and national government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to private-sector giants like Bank of America, Coca-Cola USA, Delta Airlines, McDonald's, Procter & Gamble, Target, Walmart, and Visa.

We take special pride in our role in developing the internationally recognized public safety initiative, "If You See Something, Say Something."

Over the years, V&L has been recognized for its leadership and innovation with numerous awards, including the Atlanta Business League's Success Against the Odds Award, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Women's Business of the Year Stargazers Award, the American Marketing Association Innovative Leadership Award, and Minority Enterprise Development Service Firm of the Year. We were also honored to serve as a delegate for the White House Conference on Small Business.

Today, V&L Research and Consulting, Inc. is deeply honored to be inducted into the Atlanta Business League Hall of Fame, a testament to our legacy of excellence and impact in the field of market research.