Taos Wynn believes in creating a legacy of loving and serving people. “At all times and in every endeavor, it’s important to be mindful of the fact that everyone matters, everyone deserves respect, and everyone can make a difference,” he said. As the CEO of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, Wynn has clearly made a difference throughout his career.
A Georgia native and the youngest of two sons from a military family, Wynn brings a diverse perspective and proven record of success to the executive role of the organization and the more than 1,200 men and women of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, said his colleagues. “Taos continually uses his voice and his experience to shoulder the responsibility to provide, raise and allocate gap funding in support of the largest fire rescue department in the state, prioritizing the city’s first responders,” they said.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support Atlanta firefighters personally and professionally – enhancing public safety by funding workforce initiatives, diversity programs and essential equipment while ensuring resource equity to meet the needs of each community and its neighborhoods.
Under Wynn’s leadership, the organization has valued collaboration, innovation and sustainability efforts, launching the “Fleet Forward” project this year seeking to raise $3 million to pilot and purchase the City of Atlanta Fire Department’s first ever electric fire engine and EV rapid response vehicles through the help of private sector partnerships.
Wynn has also worked with Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams to apply for $1 million as part of the 2024 Community Project Grant. The funds will renovate and restore the historic Atlanta Fire Rescue Station 16, which was the first station to integrate African American men and women into the city’s fire rescue services.
“Taos is not just an innovative and successful leader, but additionally he is an active member of the community and is especially in spaces aligned with advancing the best interests of the City of Atlanta,” said his staff.
His passion, dedication and perseverance have afforded him the title of “advocate for human rights,” and he fulfills this title as a credible community resource, championing for the city with featured editorials in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and through media interviews with Atlanta’s network television stations. Wynn was also presented with the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award, the Phoenix Award from the City of Atlanta and a 40 Under 40 Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
“Aligning success with the ability to authentically walk in your God given purpose is important,” said Wynn. “I believe that humility coupled with a consistent willingness to always learn, collaborate and maintain a standard of excellence are critical to success.”
