Each year, we are honored to highlight some of the outstanding men who make meaningful contributions to our beloved Fayette County. Their dedication, leadership, and impact help shape our community for the better. We invite you to learn more about these four remarkable men and their inspiring achievements.
Thomas Dorsey
Story by Susan Walworth
Thomas Dorsey has deep roots in Fayette County, and his name is tied to one of the county’s best-known landmarks—The Holliday Dorsey Fife House. The home’s builder, Dr. John Stiles Holliday, owned Thomas’s great-great-great-grandmother, Silvey Holliday. She would eventually marry Thomas’s great-great-great-grandfather and namesake, owned by the home’s second owner, Solomon Dorsey.
Thomas grew up in Red Oak, but often visited Fayette County as a child when his grandfather would show him landmarks and share their family history. “It was like Mayberry,” Thomas said. These visits helped foster his love and appreciation of history, and as an adult, he often conducted historical research in Fayetteville. In 2000, Thomas moved to Fayetteville so his children, Marcus, Tamara, and Dayna, could receive a quality education in Fayette County’s schools.
After moving here, Thomas quickly became involved in the community. He is a member of the Fayette County Kiwanis Club, Friends of the Fayetteville Cemetery, and a board member of the Fayette County Historical Society. He particularly enjoys sharing the history of Fayette County with visitors at Starrs Mill, which opens monthly from April through November.
Thomas is also a member of the Union Benevolent Aid Legacy (UBAL). His great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas, and his son, Isaac, were founding members of the Union Benevolent Aid Society in 1885. The Society purchased land, now part of the Fayetteville Cemetery, to become a black cemetery, and helped with medical and burial expenses as well as other needs in the black community. Thomas is proud to continue his family heritage of helping others. “I love volunteering. I’m working in the spirit of my ancestors.”
Leonardo McClarty
Story by Pam Reid
Leonardo McClarty, President and CEO of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, brings a lifetime of purpose, passion, and public service to his role. A Georgia native, as early as middle school, Leonardo developed a fascination with urban development while watching the Georgia Dome rise from the ground. That fascination evolved into a lifelong commitment to community and economic development.
Leonardo majored in political science and urban studies at Furman University. He later earned a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and then completed an internship with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. A decade later, he returned to that very Chamber as its President and CEO.
Leonardo’s early professional journey also included roles with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and DeKalb County Economic Development, where he gained hands-on experience in project management and neighborhood revitalization. After his tenure at the DeKalb Chamber, Leonardo went on to lead the Howard County Chamber in Maryland. Over nine impactful years there, he drove measurable growth, deepened community partnerships, and was ultimately recognized in 2022 as Maryland’s Chamber Executive of the Year.
Leonardo and his wife, married for 22 years, are the proud parents of three daughters, including a set of twins and is a man of deep faith and family values. “Your name is all you have,” his great-grandmother would often say - a lesson he lives daily.
Now at the helm of the Fayette Chamber, Leonardo is guiding the organization through an accreditation process with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, aiming for recognition by 2026. “I want the Fayette Chamber to be part of the Fayette community brand that exemplifies excellence.”
ADAM GLENDYE
Story by Sydney Kate Lewis
Adam Glendye has always been a leader. Whether serving as captain of his high school sports team or club in graduate school, “Being part of something bigger than myself is a fundamental part of who I am.”
In 2014, Adam and his wife, Katie Belle, moved to Fayette County from Buckhead. After spending years getting lost in the Atlanta sea, the two moved to Fayetteville after seeing the ample opportunities to meet and collaborate with so many people, especially considering, according to Adam, the best way to meet people is through community service.
As a therapist, Adam recognizes himself as an advocate for reducing the stigma behind mental health and an ambassador of the normal person asking for support so they can be better. This translates into community service, making himself known in the community so people feel more comfortable and inclined to ask him for help.
It is with this belief that Adam joined the Rotary three months before even moving to Fayette County in 2014. Later on, Adam became the clinical advisor of The Eden Project in 2016 and served with the state DUI court for five years, running the clinical addiction and veteran program. In 2021-2022, Adam served as president of the Peachtree City Rotary, a role which led him to be named “Young Game Changer of the Year” by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and “Distinguished Alumni of the Year” by Richmont Graduate University. Adam’s desire to make the community healthier derives from a 90s movie, Pay It Forward, which demonstrates the direct impact of a person on a community and beyond.
MAYOR ERIC DIAL
Story by Sydney Kate Lewis
With experience gained in both government, working for a member of Congress, and the nonprofit sector, Mayor Eric Dial felt a strong calling to run for mayor of Tyrone. With three sons in elementary school, Mayor Dial and his wife were driven to preserve their community's essence. He initially ran for council in 2007, later running independently in 2011, winning each time.
Mayor Dial has always been dedicated to helping others, particularly those in need, which has brought him immense joy. Guiding others to improve their lives through his role is deeply gratifying to him.
Under his leadership, Tyrone has consistently been recognized as the safest and happiest city in Georgia. "Leading our community in a way that enhances its appeal for residents and workers has been truly fulfilling," Mayor Dial remarked. He is committed to maintaining the town's small-town charm while promoting economic growth in the future.
When asked for advice on serving one's hometown, Mayor Dial emphasizes the importance of selflessness and introspection. He suggests assessing whether the motivation to lead stems from a desire to serve others rather than oneself, and leveraging personal skills to positively impact the community.
Outside of his civic duties, Mayor Dial enjoys tending to his yard and cherishing moments with his granddaughter.