Friday, January 8, 2021

Friday Feature: Board of Directors Announcements

The new year has arrived! 2021 is filled with promise and optimism as we look towards a year of growth, increased safety, and eventually stepping out from behind our computers. TAG learned a lot from the challenges of 2020 and is ready to continue Connecting, Promoting, Influencing, and Educating Georgia’s technology ecosystem through an enhanced and more comprehensive virtual presence while also preparing to tackle hybrid events in the second half of the year.

With the new year comes new faces at TAG. I am delighted to welcome five new leaders to the Board of Directors:

Raheem Beyah, Dean – College of Engineering, Georgia Tech,
Nick Costides, President – Information Technology, UPS,
Megan Heinze, President, IDEMIA,
Dustin Johnson, Head of IT – U.S. Operations, UCB,
and Krish Shetty, Vice President – Product Development & Engineering, Deluxe.

I would also like to welcome Rodrigo Dantas e Sliva (EY), Phyllis Newhouse (Xtreme Solutions, ShoulderUp), and Michael Sullivan (Southern Company Gas) to our Executive Committee. Their passion for TAG and expertise will continue to strengthen the organization throughout the year.

There are currently opportunities to volunteer with TAG Societies and to sponsor major upcoming events including the Georgia Technology Summit (April 28-29) and Fintech South (June 22-24). If you are looking to get more involved, I urge you to reach out to the Membership team at membership@tagonline.org to learn more.

Happy New Year,

Larry K. Williams
President & CEO, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

TAGwire

Saras AI Institute Launches 12-Month Online Master’s Degree in AI Engineering and AI Engineering Graduate Certificate to Prepare Software Developers as AI Leaders for Under $6,000

Saras AI Institute offers the AI Engineering: Development Certificate, a globally available, master’s-level program designed for hands-on AI practitioners. Learners build four enterprise-grade AI applications, creating a powerful professional portfolio by the end of the program. The certificate includes four master’s-level AI courses, completed in approximately five months, and is built in collaboration with AI leaders from Microsoft and Google. The program is 100% project-based, with no exams, focusing on real-world, practical AI engineering skills. Learn more: https://www.sarasai.org/masteraidev

Fox + Spindle Launches Start Smarter, an Eight-Week Program Teaching Entrepreneurs to Build with AI from Day One

Fox + Spindle, an Atlanta-based AI consultancy, has launched Start Smarter—an eight-week cohort program helping early-stage entrepreneurs build their businesses with AI from the ground up. Developed by co-founders Luka Anić and Jenny Nelson, the program covers AI foundations, automation, messaging, lead systems, and client delivery. The first cohort begins January 2026. Enrollment is limited.

Technology Association of Georgia Publishes Second Annual Cleantech & Sustainability Ecosystem Report

The second annual report from the TAG Smart Communities & Sustainability Society highlights the opportunities, risks and strategies across Georgia’s Cleantech and Sustainability sector to ensure the state remains a national leader in the Cleantech economy.

Inclusive Tech Needs Champions—Not Silence

This piece explores the growing threats to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in tech education and workforce development—especially as federal rollbacks and funding cuts jeopardize programs that help girls and underrepresented youth thrive in STEM. It underscores why advocacy matters now more than ever and offers actionable steps for readers to champion inclusion during this season of giving and learning.

How TeleTech Group Strengthens Georgia’s Broadband Infrastructure and Community Connectivity

TeleTech Group announces new initiatives aimed at strengthening Georgia’s broadband service reliability and raising the professional standards of telecom field operations. Through leadership in field support for Altek and Madison teams within the Xfinity network, CEO Mykyta Shumov contributes to ensuring that thousands of residents across Gwinnett County and greater Georgia can work, learn, communicate, and stay safe through dependable internet and television services.

Top 40 Innovative Companies Application Open for Georgia Technology Summit 2026

ATLANTA (Dec. 1, 2025) – The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) will host its annual Georgia Technology Summit on April 30, 2026, at Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Technology Summit brings together over a thousand Georgia-based technologists to network, engage, and learn about the newest tech innovation in the state. As part of the Summit, the TAG Top 40 Most Innovative Companies will be selected, and the Top 10 announced live on stage, recognizing companies of all sizes that are leading innovation in Georgia.

Think Techmode: Driving Business Transformation Through Expert Technical Advisory and Solutions

Johns Creek, GA – [11/26/2025] – Think Techmode, the Georgia-based technology advisory firm that has been elevating businesses since 2016, today announced an expanded suite of high-impact services built for the next era of innovation. From AI adoption and FinTech modernization to digital currency infrastructure, stablecoin strategy, and enterprise tokenization, Think Techmode is positioning organizations to compete—and lead—in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

TAG Corporate Development Society Announces Holiday Party & Alumni Mixer Featuring Fireside Chat with John Yates

Join the TAG Corporate Development Society on Thursday, December 4 at the Georgia Tech Alumni House for an evening of networking and celebration, featuring a fireside chat with John Yates, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer and one of Atlanta’s leading voices in tech and venture law. As a driving force behind the creation of the Corporate Development Society, John will share stories from his remarkable career championing innovation, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers who helped shape Atlanta’s tech ecosystem. Whether you’re an alum, active member, or new to the community, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect and raise a glass to another year of growth and collaboration.

The ABM Agency to Host Exclusive Atlanta Workshop on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for B2B Marketing Leaders

ATLANTA – The ABM Agency, a leading B2B marketing firm, announced it will host “The CMO’s GEO Strategy Session,” a private, complimentary workshop for senior marketing executives in Atlanta on January 15, 2026. The event will provide a strategic framework for adapting to the rise of AI-powered search and its impact on the B2B buyer’s journey. Attendees will learn how to build a 2026 roadmap for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) that unifies brand, PR, SEO, and demand generation to drive measurable revenue outcomes in an era where AI influences over 80% of B2B purchasing decisions.

Agentic AI: Transforming Enterprise Operations with Autonomous Cloud Agents

Agentic AI is redefining enterprise automation by introducing autonomous, goal-oriented agents capable of reasoning, acting, and learning across complex cloud ecosystems. This enhanced article explores how AWS Bedrock Agents are enabling secure, scalable, and intelligent operations across financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing — with a focus on Georgia’s leadership in AI innovation.

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Athens

Athens, Georgia is the quintessential college town boasting several colleges and universities including the internationally esteemed University of Georgia (UGA). The city is at the center of a seven county area in Northeast Georgia and home to approximately 193,317 residents.

Technology Ecosystem Map

Middle Georgia

Middle Georgia Region is the metropolitan area located near the geographic center of the state and is anchored by the cities of Macon, Warner Robins and Fort Valley.

Technology Ecosystem Map

Columbus

Located approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta in West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama, the Greater Columbus, Georgia Region is home to approximately 316,000 residents and an available workforce of 130,000 people.

Technology Ecosystem Map

Greater Augusta

Located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, the city of Augusta, GA lies on the Savannah River. The Augusta metro is home to approximately 580,000 residents in seven counties. The City of Augusta is the center point of the region. Within 60 miles of downtown, the population surpasses more than 1 million residents and includes both Georgia and South Carolina.