July 16, 2023
By Chloe Arrington

George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering alumnus Jim Grauley, B.S. ME 1984, has also been named among Atlanta’s “2023 Most Admired CEOs.” Grauley is the CEO of Columbia Residential and a founding partner of Columbia Ventures LLC. 

This credit from the Atlanta Business Chronicle honors chief executives with strong records of innovation in their fields, outstanding financial performance, a commitment to quality and diversity in the workplace, and meaningful contributions to the metro community. Honorees come from a variety of fields including health care, law, education, technology, real estate, and transportation. 

Grauley joined Columbia Residential in 2008 and as CEO is responsible for managing development, finance, asset management, and corporate operations.

Established in 1991, Columbia Residential is an integrated real estate development and management company, comprising master planning, development, project management, construction management, and property management disciplines. With a dedication to creating and managing affordable and mixed-income housing communities, Columbia Residential is creating accessible housing options with inspired, purposeful architectural design, sustainable and innovative construction, and a sincere commitment to the community, its surrounding neighborhood, and its residents. Columbia has been Georgia’s leading producer of affordable and mixed-income housing units over the past decade.

Since 2008, Grauley has led the development of more than 5,000 affordable and mixed-income multifamily units in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. His efforts, leadership, and commitment to purpose-built, sustainable housing have resulted in numerous distinctions for Columbia Residential and coveted industry awards, including the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Award of Excellence, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Pillars of the Industry, and the Edson Award of Excellence. 

Prior to his appointment at Columbia Residential, Grauley was President of the Bank of America Community Development Corporation. He received his dual undergraduate degree from Covenant College and his MBA from the University of North Carolina. Grauley was also a Loeb Fellow in 2001-2002 at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Grauley will be formally recognized during the Most Admired CEO Awards event, taking place on August 17 at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta.