T. Dallas Smith & Company President Named New Atlanta Board Chair

Leonte Benton has been named chair of the Posse Atlanta Advisory Board. As president of T. Dallas Smith & Company, Leonte has helped lead one of the nation’s leading minority-owned commercial real estate firms while building a career rooted in relationships, mentorship and service. He brings nearly two decades of leadership experience to the role.

Leonte succeeds Erin McCandless, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Cox Automotive, who served on the Atlanta board for six years and as chair from 2024 through 2026. Erin greatly expanded the Atlanta program’s network of support during her tenure.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Leonte did not originally plan to attend college. That changed after a conversation with his godfather, who encouraged him to pursue his longtime interest in real estate through higher education.

“My godfather saw the direction my life was headed and challenged me to go to school,” says Leonte. “He knew I had always been interested in real estate and encouraged me to pursue that passion through education.”

After earning an associate degree from Grossmont College, Leonte returned to Atlanta to complete his bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College. Along the way, he developed a habit that would shape both his career and his approach to leadership.

“I’ve always been the type of person who, if I met someone who had achieved something I wanted to achieve, I would ask if I could pick their brain,” says Leonte. “The biggest lesson I learned was that when people took the time to invest in me, I had to show up and act on their advice.”

Those conversations eventually led Leonte to T. Dallas Smith, founder of T. Dallas Smith & Company, where Leonte has spent nearly two decades helping grow the firm before becoming its president.

“I’ve been fortunate to have people invest in me at every stage of my career, and that changed everything. If I can help create those same opportunities for the next generation, then I’m honoring the people who believed in me.”

Leonte’s introduction to Posse came in 2007 through a simple act of kindness. “I saw someone carrying boxes into a new office and asked if she needed help,” says Leonte. “That turned out to be Charisse Williams, Posse Atlanta’s first director. We became friends, and that’s how my relationship with Posse began.”

That chance encounter led Leonte to volunteer with Posse’s Dynamic Assessment Process (DAP), where he quickly developed relationships with Scholars, staff and fellow volunteers. Nearly two decades later, those same relationships have brought him to his new role as board chair.

As he begins his tenure as board chair, Leonte hopes to continue investing in the next generation of leaders.

“Joining the board feels like a full-circle moment. Posse has been part of my journey almost from the beginning of my career. I’m grateful for what the organization has done for Atlanta and for the relationships it has brought into my life. To now have the opportunity to serve as chair is both an honor and a responsibility.”