Congratulations to Arete Scholars Fund co-founder and board chairman Greg Beadles for being named Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2012 CFO of the Year. Greg, who also serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Atlanta Falcons, was winner in the Community Service category.

The CFO of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of the city's most accomplished and dedicated chief financial officers. Nominees are judged on a number of financial criteria, as well as their overall leadership, significant achievements, and contributions to the community at large.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Beadles received the award "for his work helping expand educational opportunities" for low-income Georgia children.

"We had a very strong list of candidates for the Community Service Award this year and choosing just one winner was exceptionally difficult," said Greg Cinnamon, one of the judges and president of the Association for Corporate Growth Atlanta as well as a corporate partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. "Setting Greg Beadles apart from the other candidates, though, was the sheer impact that his tireless devotion to Arete Scholars Fund as founder and chairman has made in the community."

The honor also received mention on ESPN's NFC South Blog.

We are grateful for the vision and leadership that Greg Beadles brings to Arete Scholars Fund. Thank you, Greg, for your friendship and your commitment to providing educational opportunity in Georgia.