ATLANTA (May 30, 2002) - Khalil Johnson has been appointed chief operating officer of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, effective June 1. Dan Graveline, Georgia World Congress Center Authority executive director, announced the appointment this month.

"Johnson has been an integral part of the development of our campus, and his experience as a facility general manager will be invaluable in this new position," said Graveline. Johnson will be responsible for coordination of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority's facilities: Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Dome, and the Georgia World Congress Center, which will open its Phase IV expansion this autumn.

Johnson was named general manager of the Georgia Dome in August 1989. He acted as project manager for the design and construction phase of the Georgia Dome, which opened on schedule and under budget in 1992. The Dome project won several design and construction awards, including the National Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Task Force Award for creative project management. His tenure at the Georgia Dome included overseeing the Olympic Game competitions, two Super Bowls, SEC Football championships and Basketball tournaments, one Final Four tournament and several NCAA regional tournaments.

Johnson served as director of event services for the Georgia World Congress Center from 1986 to 1989. He was formerly employed by the Freeman Companies as sales manager and by the Washington, D.C. Convention Center's original management team as director of sales and services.

Prior to working in Washington, D.C., Johnson was employed by the Georgia World Congress Center in the Operations Department from 1977 to 1982.

Johnson received his Bachelor's Degree from National-Louis University in Evanston, Il. as well as attending Columbia University and the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University. He has served on the board of directors of the International Association of Exposition Management as well as the board of directors of the International Association of Auditorium Managers, which has recognized him as a Certified Facility Executive. He was recently named one of the top 25 most influential people in Georgia sports. Johnson is a member of the Georgia State University School of Hospitality Advisory Board, and active in numerous local community organizations. Johnson lives in Douglasville with his wife and family.