PROFILE OF A CHAMPION: AT&T

Celebrating the Power of Connection

Riley Blount, President of AT&T Georgia, was nominated and selected by fellow Georgia business leaders for her commitment to connecting Georgians to greater possibility, demonstrating that purpose and profit are intrinsically linked. While the company has invested billions in Georgia’s infrastructure, reaching over 95% of Georgians, it is their commitment beyond the networks that truly distinguishes them.

“At AT&T, we wake up every day with the goal of connecting more Georgians to greater possibility,” said Riley Blount, president of AT&T Georgia. “Whether we are in the field restoring networks after storms, volunteering in the community to empower our neighbors or discovering innovative solutions, my colleagues and I are focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of Georgians. When Georgians thrive, companies thrive. Going beyond profit is simply good business.”

Riley invited us to experience AT&T’s impact firsthand by hosting our interview in their AT&T Network Disaster Recovery Center. She shared the spotlight with key partners who confirmed that business collaboration, visibility, and AT&T’s expertise work together to ensure all Georgians can access greater possibilities.

Excerpts taken from the interview with Riley Blount. 

Mission Critical Infrastructure: Connectivity When it Matters Most

“Our mission at AT&T is to connect people to greater possibility. It’s our purpose and our passion. We truly believe in the power of connection, and that goes far beyond the infrastructure we deploy. It’s in the connections we make for others—the ones that allow friends to visit in person, the ones that offer telemedicine options for remote patients, and the ones that are a lifeline to safety when anyone is in need. Connections unlock tangible benefits and fuel greater possibility.”

“What always shines through is the resilience of Georgians. We see neighbors helping neighbors, companies, governments, and nonprofits coming together for the good of all. This warehouse represents the heartbeat of AT&T: our unwavering commitment to our customers, our first responders, and our communities to keep them connected, especially when it matters most.”

The Connectivity Imperative: Closing the Digital Divide  

“While connectivity is essential in today’s digital world, some people do not have access to it, some cannot afford it, and some do not have the benefit of knowing how to use it. This is the digital divide, and at AT&T, we wake up every day with a mission to close it.” — Riley Blount, President of AT&T Georgia.

“AT&T is a good business partner for Inspiredu because they understand the need — the need to get people connected. The digital divide continues to present challenges, but together, we now have solutions in place to close it in a way that is truly helpful. AT&T provides technology and training and has been vigilant about making sure that we can skill families across Georgia.” — Richard Hicks, Inspiredu.

Why Visibility Matters: Effective Ways to Partner with Communities

“We have 12,000 employees who call Georgia home. They don’t just show up for work; they show up for our communities. We have technicians who restore services in the middle of the night, customer care agents who walk parents through digital safety, and HR managers who offer resume-building classes. It is truly my colleagues who make AT&T so special.” — Riley Blount, President of AT&T Georgia.

“To me, AT&T and @Promise give us an experience that we never would have had without them. We need people to help our youth and we need to put them in front of something that they have never seen before. You meet people at @Promise that otherwise, without AT&T and @Promise working together and connecting you, you would have never met them.” — Khalil Jeffries, @Promise Center.

“AT&T provides not only money—hundreds of thousands of dollars—but their employees show up. They show up with their FirstNet teams when a hurricane hits. They show up at banquets to support The Boys and Girls Club. They show up to distribute computers to military spouses. Their constant support, funding, and employee involvement has been exceptional throughout the years.” — Tom Clark, CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon.

“AT&T, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your support. And thank you for being visible and making our work a little easier. Thank you for being a servant to our community and the young people and families that we serve.” — Lakeisha Walker, Atlanta Police Foundation.

Better Together: How Collaboration Scales Possibility

“We know we are better together, and we believe collaboration is a key component to being a good corporate citizen. When I moved to Georgia, I was struck by the collaborative nature all across the state. Collaboration is demonstrated in hundreds of ways every single day. Whether it’s a public private partnership transforming a city, a community initiative uplifting a neighborhood or a new policy fostering economic development. The successes are all rooted in collaboration.”

“And while the approach may differ from company to company, one constant remains: Generosity is essential. It is an and not an or; without a doubt, it improves successes. When generosity is embedded in your core business model, it becomes the differentiator that attracts top talent, increases customer and employee loyalty, and strengthens local economies. Simply put, going beyond profit, it’s just good business.” — Riley Blount, President of AT&T Georgia.