City Council

John Paulson

City Council, District 1

John Paulson is a professional engineer who has lived in Sandy Springs for 23 years. The Chicago native earned his degrees in engineering from the University of Illinois. Prior to attending college, he served two years as an infantryman in Viet Nam. Upon his return, Paulson has had an active career in the geosynthetics and geotextiles fields working for The Tensar Corp, Exxon, Nicolon among others before becoming a consultant and now a partner in Redi Engineering. He has been instrumental in supporting the City’s bid for incorporation on the Committee for Sandy Springs and was past president of the Northridge Community Association and served on the board of the Dunwoody Homeowners' Association. John is married to Mary and they have two children Stephanie and Jeffrey.

Email: jpaulson@sandyspringsga.gov

Dianne Fries

City Council, District 2

Ms. Fries is a native of Fulton County and has lived, worked and raised her family in Sandy Springs since 1977. She and her husband of 30 years, Dillon, own an appraisal firm. Dianne is also a Realtor with Dorsey-Alston and Assoc.

Ms. Fries is an involved member with the Huntcliff Homeowners’ Association, and she has represented the voters of Sandy Springs as a convention delegate with the Fulton County Republican Party. Ms. Fries is an appointee to the National League of Cities Public Safety Committee.

Dianne’s past involvements in the Sandy Springs community include being a substitute teacher and helping to found and then head the Booster Club for Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. She also coached basketball at theSandy Springs United Methodist Church and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church.

She is the mother of two adult children. When she is out of the office, she enjoys golfing, hiking and bicycling.

Email: dfries@sandyspringsga.gov

Chip Collins

City Council, District 3

Mr. Collins is an attorney and partner in the Atlanta office of Burr & Forman LLP, a law firm with offices throughout the Southeast. He has practiced law since 1990, focusing on business litigation for the entirety of his career.

A Sandy Springs native, Mr. Collins graduated from Riverwood High School and went on to earn his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. He graduated from law school with honors and was selected for the Moot Court Team and Gridiron Society.

Mr. Collins was active in Sandy Springs' quest to become a city, serving as vice-chairman of the Committee for Sandy Springs from 2001 until the city's incorporation. He also served a three-year term on the board of Heritage Sandy Springs, provided legal counsel for the Sandy Springs Turtle community art project, and has been a little league baseball coach since 2003.

He lives in the Riverside neighborhood with his wife, Gigi, and their four children, who all attend Sandy Springs schools.

Email: ccollins@sandyspringsga.gov

Gabriel Sterling

City Council, District 4

Mr. Sterling was at the forefront of creating the City of Sandy Springs, assisting with his hometown’s incorporation drive. He was one of the members of the Committee for Sandy Springs and served as co-chairman of the Sandy Springs Referendum Committee.

Once the referendum to create the city passed, Mr. Sterling served as chairman of the Sandy Springs Fire/EMS Transition Task Force and as one of the five negotiators representing Sandy Springs in the transition with Fulton County, along with Mayor Eva Galambos and Councilmember Karen Meinzen McEnerny.

He recently served Sandy Springs as a stakeholder with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan efforts. Mr. Sterling currently serves as vice chairman of the Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism Board as well as the local charity organization, The Sandy Springs Challenge, which raises money for Sandy Springs.

Email: gsterling@sandyspringsga.gov

Tiberio “Tibby” DeJulio

City Council, District 5

Mr. DeJulio is first vice president of a national investment firm. He is a Certified Financial Planner, civic volunteer and a decorated Vietnam Veteran.

Mr. DeJulio worked for 20 years to help create the City of Sandy Springs, having served as the vice chair for the Committee for Sandy Springs, president of Citizens for Sandy Springs, and as the Chair of the city's transition Financial Task Force. He has served as mayor pro tem since the incorporation of Sandy Springs

He earned a business undergraduate degree and an MBA in finance from Stetson University. During his tour in Vietnam, Mr. DeJulio was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars including one for Valor and several other campaign medals.

In 1987, he joined the High Point Civic Association and still meets with them regularly. He has one son, Chandler.

Email: tdejulio@sandyspringsga.gov

Karen Meinzen McEnerny

City Council, District 6

Ms. McEnerny is a retired asset manager for commercial real estate portfolios owned by institutional investors. She has devoted her time exclusively to her duties as a councilmember since Jan. 1, 2006. She was an active member of the Committee for Sandy Springs supporting the incorporation effort and served on the negotiating committee of the Governor's Commission on Sandy Springs as well as the Properties Task Force.

She is the current past president of the Cherokee Park Civic Association and past president of the John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve. She served on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan review for Sandy Springs known as Focus Fulton 2025. She is an avid gardener, especially utilizing native plants original to Georgia and is a member of the Georgia Native Plant Society.

Ms. McEnerny has a master's degree in real estate and urban affairs from Georgia State University and a BA in history and political science from Southern Methodist University. She is married and has four stepchildren and a brother, sister in law and niece living in Sandy Springs. Her mother lives in Columbus, Ga., and her father is deceased.