Atlanta Communities adds expert to management team

Marietta-based Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage, a local real estate firm started in 2009 that has grown to more than 600 agents, recently added industry expert Howell Haunson to its executive team.

Haunson is known in Atlanta real estate circles for teaching real estate courses and as a closing attorney with Morris, Schneider, Wittstadt, where he was also a partner and the director of education.

He has taught courses in all 50 states, as well as internationally in Aruba, Canada and the Bahamas.

“I have known and respected Howell for a long time,” said Judson Adamson, president and CEO of Atlanta Communities. “He is a perfect fit for our company culture, and I am excited about adding a person with his talent and skills to our Atlanta Communities family.”

Haunson has been practicing law since 1980 and has been a licensed Realtor since age 18. An Atlanta native now residing in Marietta, he was named valedictorian of his class at Atlanta Law School, where he earned both a J.D. degree and an L.L.M. degree. Prior to that, he graduated from the University of Georgia with an A.B. degree in Economics.

He has been a featured presenter on National Association of Realtors podcasts and has been recognized as Instructor of the Year for both the Georgia Association of Realtors and the Metro South Association of Realtors.

“The fact that Judson Adamson and Atlanta Communities were interested in me is a huge compliment,” said Haunson, who will serve as managing broker of the company’s Dunwoody office as well as general counsel. “There’s no better company I could have associated myself with than Atlanta Communities.”

Formed in 2009, Atlanta Communities has been named one of Atlanta’s top 100 fastest growing private companies for three consecutive years. With more than 600 agents and five locations, Atlanta Communities exceeded the $1 billion gross residential sales mark for the first time in its history with 2014 sales.