Craig Lesser ’72 is the managing partner of the Pendleton Group, which provides governmental affairs, economic development, and strategic communications counsel to governments and businesses. Lesser served as Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development from 2004-07, where he directed efforts to recruit new businesses, expand existing businesses and increase Georgia’s global trade and tourism revenues. In 2016, the Atlanta Regional Commission presented its Harry West Visionary leadership award to Lesser and in 2017, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Georgia International Awards event. Most recently, he was awarded the Medallion of the Governor General of Canada for his efforts to preserve strong business and economic ties between the U.S. and Canada.