Athens, Ga. – The new Technology Association of Georgia Athens chapter will host its first event Nov. 6 at noon at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia. There is no charge to attend the event, however registration is required at http://bit.ly/TAGAthens1.
Several UGA colleges, including the College of Engineering, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, are founding partners of a TAG chapter forming in Athens.
TAG is a state association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry. TAG Athens is the association’s newest chapter. It was developed to support the growth of the technology industry in the region and extend TAG resources throughout the state among executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia.
Donald Leo, dean of the College of Engineering will deliver a presentation at the event that will include an overview of the college, goals of its programs and ways the college is collaborating with technology-based industry in the vicinity for student internships, research initiatives and educational programs.
“Grady College is delighted to be a founding partner of the TAG Athens chapter,” said Charles Davis, dean of the Grady College and one of TAG Athens board members. “The formation of the chapter underscores our college’s commitment to serving as an economic development partner to the city and the state, and TAG offers us a unique gateway to partnerships with digital businesses throughout the state. We have world-class researchers in a wide range of projects of keen interest to TAG members across Georgia, and this is an important step toward greater interdisciplinary collaboration.”
“Technology businesses account for about 17 percent of Georgia’s gross domestic product and have an economic impact of about $113.1 billion,” said Tino Mantella, TAG President and CEO. “Athens has all of the ingredients to grow its technology industry. TAG’s role is to cultivate tech-business growth across the state, so we are particularly excited to open a Chapter in the region.”
A board of directors for the TAG Athens chapter has been established and includes:
• Charles Davis, dean, Grady College
• Nancy Denson, mayor, Athens-Clarke County
• Alan T. Dorsey, dean, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
• Jim Flannery, project director, Four Athens
• Keith Herndon, visiting professor, Grady College, and president, Internet Decisions
• Jim Hopkins, CEO, Strategic Ventures Group, Athens
• Donald Leo, dean, College of Engineering
• Jimmy Newland, director, information services, burton + BURTON
• Lisa Rawls, senior vice president, BB&T
• Scott Shamp, director, Grady College New Media Institute
• Gretchen Tegethoff, chief information officer, Athens Regional Medical Center
• Margaret Wagner Dahl, UGA associate vice president for economic development, ex-officio board member
TAG serves more than 27,000 members through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia and Savannah. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides networking and educational programs; celebrates Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and aims to enhance the state’s economic climate for technology. For more information, see www.tagonline.org or www.TAGthink.com.
