05/18/2026
Thank you Believe Greater Dalton for spotlighting David Aft and his steady belief in our community here in Dalton and across Northwest Georgia!
Our People of Dalton series continues as we spotlight David Aft, local Dalton-lover and President of the The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia.
“My family and I moved to Dalton in 1996 and, like many others, I originally came here for work. At the time, I assumed Dalton would simply be one stop along the way—that after a few years, I’d move on to a bigger city or a bigger opportunity. Having always lived in larger communities, I never imagined how much a small town could shape my life.
But once I experienced the connection people share here, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
When we moved to Dalton, our family was young. We had a six-year-old and a one-year-old, and the idea of living somewhere with less time spent commuting and more time spent together was deeply appealing. Over the years, that decision gave me opportunities I’ll always treasure—attending every parent-teacher conference, showing up for school events, and even coaching youth athletics for a few years. Those everyday moments became some of the most meaningful parts of our family’s story.
What I love most about Greater Dalton is the people and the spirit of this community. Dalton has an entrepreneurial, can-do mindset that shows up in every corner of the community. When people here see a challenge, the response is not to wait for someone else to fix it—it’s to roll up their sleeves and work together to make things better.
Having spent the last 30 years working in the charitable sector, I’ve had the privilege of watching people from all walks of life come together around both big and small challenges. That spirit of collaboration and generosity resonates throughout Dalton’s civic, business, healthcare, and humanitarian communities.
I also love that Dalton is full of people from all over the world. It’s rare to find such cultural diversity and perspective in a community this size, and it’s one of the many things that makes Dalton special.
After nearly three decades here, there are too many meaningful memories to count. My life has been enriched by countless opportunities, friendships, and experiences that created a warmth and sense of belonging I never could have imagined when we first arrived. One project especially meaningful to me was helping develop Burr Park alongside a small group of dedicated people. Watching the continued growth and revitalization of downtown Dalton has been incredible, and I love knowing that kids growing up here today will have memories and experiences that continue to shape the future of this community.
Every day, I feel honored to live in such a special place.”
We’re grateful for David’s decades of leadership, service, and commitment to Greater Dalton. His heart for community continues to leave a lasting impact on the place so many proudly call home.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, David!
