The Ledlie Group

About Us

Members of The Ledlie Group are writers, planners, producers and strategists. Look deeper and they are inventors and explorers, skeptical of the conventional and interested in what is new and what works. Read more

Denny Betz is best known for demonstrating a strategic sensitivity that speeds outcomes and averts risk in major projects, whether for a corporation or for the metropolitan Atlanta and Georgia community at large.

For that ability, he is appreciated as a valued counselor and expediter by CEOs, state and city leaders and smalltown forces alike.

Former BellSouth Vice President of Corporate Communications, Mr. Betz was responsible for the development and execution of all corporate messaging in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, regulatory, legislative, sales and marketing, crisis management, bargaining, diversity, and corporate social responsibilities.

His role included providing public speaking, community involvement and media relations executive support for BellSouth senior officers.

He began his 35-year telecommunications career with New York Telephone working in the business marketing organization before transferring to Atlanta in 1972 to join the sales organization of Southern Bell. Between 1972 and 1989, Mr. Betz held positions of increasing responsibilities in sales, marketing, customer operations, public relations and public affairs for Southern Bell and BellSouth.  In 1989, he was promoted to assistant vice president of public relations for BellSouth Telecommunications.  In 2000, Mr. Betz was appointed vice president of corporate communications/public relations for BellSouth Corporation, a position he held until his retirement in early 2006.  He led the development and implementation of an integrated, proactive internal and external communications strategy as BellSouth transitioned from a regulated utility to a highly competitive global telecommunications market leader.

Mr. Betz’ tenure with BellSouth was marked by extensive involvement with health and human services, government, and arts organizations across metro Atlanta, the state of Georgia and nationwide. In addition to his leadership of numerous non-profit organizations, he played an integral role in many major fund raising efforts in Atlanta such as the $10 million Olympic Park drive and the $40 million Atlanta Symphony Orchestra endowment campaign.  Within BellSouth, Mr. Betz ran several successful Savings Bonds and United Way campaigns.

A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Betz is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College with a degree in political science.  He has completed the Executive Management Program at Duke University and post-graduate studies in business at Georgia State University.

Mr. Betz served three years as aviation fuels officer aboard the USS Forrestal following his graduation from the U. S. Navy Officer’s Candidate School.  He was honorably discharged in 1971 with the rank of lieutenant.

He is married to the former Pamela Wilson of Jackson, Mississippi.  They have two children and currently reside in Sandy Springs, Georgia.