Scott Selig, the young and charismatic development executive with prominent Atlanta real estate company Selig Enterprises Inc., has died.
Selig, who was battling cancer, was known for his defiance of the disease, which inspired an active social media following over the past year under the Facebook campaign #ScottStrong. It grew to several thousand supporters, including friends and real estate colleagues.
Selig was 47 years old.
Despite his illness, he pressed on with more endeavors over the past year. As president of Selig Development, a new division at Selig Enterprises, he led the 100 year-old company’s expansion to mixed-use projects including the $400 million 1105 West Peachtree and a $1 billion development along Chattahoochee Ave.
Selig had convinced his father Steve Selig to form the division and make a stronger push into development. Until that point, Selig Enterprises had been known more as an investor.
The elder Selig recalled to Atlanta Business Chronicle last year how he eventually realized his son was right — the company should expand.
“When my dad was alive, I’d go in and have all these great ideas about things we ought to be doing here,” Steve Selig said referring to his own father, Simon. “My dad would look at me and say ‘Steve, I’m comfortable. I don’t need to do anymore. I don’t need to take any risk.’ And I’d find myself being my dad when Scott would come in and say the same thing to me. I would sort of feel ‘Why do I need to take this kind of risk?’”
Last December, Scott Selig was named Realtor of the Year by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, a powerful industry group. In August, Selig was honored by his peers as one of Atlanta’s most admired CEOs.
He told Atlanta Business Chronicle how much he respected his father, saying “My favorite leader I admire is actually my father. A man that has earned the praise and respect from all facets of the community and strives to makes his employees better and always at ease knowing their careers are not in jeopardy no matter what the economy is doing. He has taught the skills of being approachable while also commanding the respect of a well-versed CEO.”
Friday morning saw an outpouring of both grief and admiration for Selig on Facebook:
Selig colleague Malloy Peterson: “A devastating loss for this world. Scott was a ray of sunshine up until his last days. Prayers to the whole family. We will miss him dearly.”
From Atlanta developer Jim Borders: “Very sad day in Atlanta, Georgia. Scott loved his family and his friends - including the real estate community, which will not be the same without him. ... My prayers are with the Selig family. I will miss Scott.”
Jim Langford, former director of The Trust for Public Land: “So sorry to hear of Scott’s passing. He was a smart, fun and high energy guy. I first met him during the early days of our Beltline tours and planning sessions. He was eager to engage with new ideas and eager to help.”
And around lunch time, Michael Paris, president and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, sent out a statement about Selig, who was a long-time board member.
"Scott was truly a great leader, not only here at the Council where he was slated to be chairman in 2019, but in dozens of civic and philanthropic efforts," Paris said. "His tireless activism will leave a huge void across our region ... Much like his father Steve, Scott truly embodied his family’s motto, 'You can never do wrong by doing right.'"
