About.

Interested in finding out who we are, how we got started, and what our purpose is? You're in the right place! Read on and learn how you can be added to this unraveling story as we work together to Create Austell.

Our History

Derek Caffe began getting involved in local politics in 2015 upon purchasing his first home, a duplex in Clarkdale Mill Village. Getting involved included attending zoning meetings, city council meetings, local business networking meetings, and public input meetings. Through his consistent advocacy he was included as a stakeholder on Austell's 2017 Comprehensive Plan, 2022 Comprehensive Plan, 2021 LCI Study, 2023 Austell Powder Springs Rd. Multi-Use Trail, and 2024 City Agriculture Plan.

​He was excited about the future growth prospects of Austell, but found many of his neighbors were disconnected from knowing about or participating in the community improvement process.
Derek wanted to get more people involved in improving the area, but wasn't really sure how. In comes Matt Stigall, with A Better Cobb, a local Strong Towns affiliate group and Cobb 4 Transit. The two met at a public meeting for the Austell Powder Springs Rd. Multi-Use Trail. Over lunch later that week the two discussed Austell, its growth prospects, and possibly forming a group to help achieve that goal. 

The two looked for additional community support and found it in local downtown Austell residents Daniel Lamb and Natasha Dyer. Each member had areas of expertise that eventually formed the five core areas of Create Austell:

Derek Caffe - A commercial real estate broker with CAFFE Realty, downtown Austell property owner, and developer with Code Black Properties helped with zoning/ housing policy and business development.

Matt Stigall - A transit advocate with Cobb 4 Transit and A Better Cobb helped provide insights on Mobility issues. 

Natasha Dyer - A former manager with the City of Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Sustainability & Resiliency helped with guiding our Sustainability initiatives.

Daniel Lamb - A marketing director and musician helped with coming up with our approach to Arts & Culture. 

The quartet officially launched Create Austell in January 2023 at Austell CoWork with coverage by the Cobb County Courier and Marietta Daily Journal.​

Our Mission

Create Austell Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Economic Development Organization (NEDO) dedicated to driving economic growth and fostering social connection in the City of Austell, GA. Our mission focuses on advancing:

• Housing & Zoning
• Sustainability
• Mobility
• Arts & Culture
• Business Development
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We connect diverse community stakeholders through in-person events and online platforms, mobilizing efforts around initiatives that enhance quality of life and economic vitality.

By aligning community needs with actionable solutions, Create Austell is shaping a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous future for Austell, its citizens, and stakeholders.​

DONATE

Our Board of Directors

Derek Caffe
Chairman & President

Derek Caffe resides in the Unity Square neighborhood of downtown Austell, GA with his lovely wife. Derek is originally from Youngstown, OH, having relocated to metro Atlanta in late 2010. He is the Managing Broker for CAFFE Realty, a boutique real estate brokerage based in Austell, GA specializing in investment sales, land sales, and property management. Derek is also a real estate developer and is currently developing property in downtown Austell's Unity Square neighborhood. Derek invests in and develops income producing properties in both Georgia and Ohio.

Prior to founding CAFFE Realty, Derek served with the US Army. Derek is currently a medically-retired veteran. After leaving service he obtained his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University with a concentration in finance. Derek briefly attended Clark Atlanta University for his MBA but decided to postpone its completion to focus on the growth of Code Black Properties.

In his free time, Derek enjoys working out and cycling. Derek is a member of Black Nonbelievers and is a secular humanist.​

A. Zakiya Watson-Caffe, Esq.
Secretary

A. Zakiya Watson-Caffe is the managing attorney at Watson Law LLC. Her practice focuses on transactional and commercial matters for small businesses and criminal defense matters.

Watson Law LLC is a general law practice, with a focus on commercial matters for small businesses and criminal defense cases. Mrs. Watson-Caffe earned her J.D. and M.B.A. degrees at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Management & Finance from Brooklyn College. Mrs. Watson-Caffe is licensed in both, New York and Georgia.

In addition to maintaining her own practice, Mrs. Watson-Caffe previously worked as a senior associate at a boutique litigation firm in New York, handling complex commercial litigation matters. She has worked closely with small business owners and entrepreneurs to identify, develop, and implement practical and achievable solutions that meet the needs and expectations of the client. These solutions include strategic avenues designed to avoid litigation and maximize and preserve business resources and efficiency.

​With this unique background, Mrs. Watson-Caffe has gained extensive knowledge about law, business, and dealing with people in high-stress situations.
Mrs. Watson-Caffe loves to run and is deeply involved in community affairs that focus on improving urban education.

Andrew Lundstrom
​​Board Member

Bio coming soon

Hayward Cole
Board Member

Bio coming soon

Scott Miller
Board Member

Scott Miller is a real-estate investor in the Austell area since 1999 and is excited to see Austell development come alive in the last year.  Scott's had a career in environmental engineering, and has enjoyed working in residential and commercial real estate as a buy-n-hold investor.   Scott leads the West GA/ Cobb Subgroup at the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association, a 700+member nonprofit that promotes responsible real estate investing in the Atlanta area since 1986. The group meets monthly every third Thursday at Austell CoWork in downtown Austlel.
 
When Scott is not working he enjoys long walks and a good nonfiction book along with a South Cobb Diner omelet in Austell.