As the incoming Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors for 2025, Brad Carr has a clear mission: to help local businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. He believes the Chamber’s strength lies in its diversity, long-term vision and action-oriented members. “When we all pull together in Gwinnett, everyone benefits,” Carr says. “We’re focused on engaging more businesses, leveraging new ideas and creating more opportunities for businesses.”
Carr takes the helm at a time when the Gwinnett Chamber is riding high with recent growth and accolades such as U.S. Chamber of the Year in 2023 and Georgia’s Chamber Executive of the Year in 2024 for CEO Nick Masino. Carr aims to continue that momentum by executing the Chamber’s three-year strategic plan with actionable steps taken every month. “In January, for instance, the board matched local businesses seeking interns with college students looking for experience,” he says. “This helps local businesses find the help they need while building Gwinnett’s future talent pool. We know that when students intern in Gwinnett, they’re much more likely to stay in the area after graduation.”
A key priority for Carr is ensuring that business leaders from all industries and company sizes know they have a place at the Gwinnett Chamber. He’s committed to ensuring the Chamber reflects the local business community, particularly given Gwinnett’s steady influx of new and diverse business leaders. “I want our organization to continue to grow and to reach out to people who may think the Chamber isn’t the place for them,” he says. “As we bring together new voices and new thought processes, it creates great potential for our future.”
Leading a Firm That Mirrors Gwinnett’s Growth
Carr’s professional path reflects the broader evolution of Gwinnett’s business landscape. As a partner at Andersen, Tate & Carr — one of suburban Atlanta’s largest law firms — Carr has witnessed firsthand how the region has transformed over the past 30 years. When he joined the firm in the mid-1990s, it was a modest practice of about 10 attorneys, focusing primarily on real estate, banking transactions, and litigation, the dominant industries of the time in Gwinnett.
Today, the firm has grown into a full-service legal powerhouse with 35 attorneys specializing in corporate law, real estate, banking, family law, estate matters, litigation and personal injury. The firm even has a group that represents survivors of sex trafficking. “We try to cover every need in our community,” Carr says. “As Gwinnett has grown, we’ve expanded our capabilities to serve individuals and businesses of all sizes.” Carr specializes in business and corporate law, helping companies navigate everything from formation to intellectual property to mergers and acquisitions.
Building Success Through the Community
Carr’s perspective on business growth extends beyond his firm. He believes that Gwinnett’s continued success relies on business owners who take a broader view of their role in the community. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations of your own company,” he notes. “But the more we invest in the overall success of the community, the more it benefits everyone. As the saying goes — rising tides raise all ships.”
He encourages all businesses to get involved in Chamber programs — from the Chairman’s Club to educational sessions to networking events — and remember that long-term involvement is key. “Building a network takes time,” he advises. “But if you put in the effort by showing up consistently and remaining open to meeting new people, you’ll see the benefits. As you build relationships, people start to think of you when they need your services.”
Advancing Gwinnett Together
Looking ahead, Carr is optimistic about Gwinnett’s trajectory. With pro-business policies, strong infrastructure, and tech-savvy talent development organizations, the county is primed for continued growth across many sectors. “We’re going to see more small businesses cropping up, and they’ll need support services they can’t necessarily staff in-house, creating enormous opportunities for professional service firms and supporting businesses,” he says.
Carr emphasizes that the heart of his role as Chair is about building connections among people and businesses. “As Chair, I want to ensure that no matter who you are or where your business is in its growth, you see the Gwinnett Chamber as a partner,” he says. “Our mission is to champion business. When we connect, collaborate and support each other, we all win.”