The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the Lake Lanier Technology Alliance (LLTA) has hired Chris Adams as their new executive director. Adams, who is also the Chamber’s membership coordinator, will take over the day-to-day operations of the LLTA, as well as manage all of its programs and activities. Plans for the first LLTA meeting of 2006 are set for Thursday, Jan. 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center.

“I am excited to be a part of a group that has such potential for growth,” Adams said. “This area needs a group like LLTA, and we are going to do everything we can to make this a valuable part of our Chamber, our community and the North Georgia area.”

Founded in 2002, the LLTA is a member-driven North Georgia technology association formed with the mission to foster the growth of the technology industry and its resources through the development, education and promotion of the Lake Lanier region and its technology talent. For the past six months, the LLTA has undergone a reorganization culminating with the hire of Adams.

Kevin York, of Charter Communications and former Chairman of the LLTA, is excited about the reboot. “We really wanted to take time and make sure the group was structured for success,” he said. “I think we found the right person and the right situation to bring the LLTA back to life.”

The goal of the LLTA is to speak with a unified voice for the local technology industry. By promoting the area as a center for technology, as well as acting as a catalyst for cooperative projects, strategic alliances and business development in the area, the LLTA will be a strong tool in gaining and growing industry.

“We also want to be a database of local technology talent that is available to assist schools, local businesses and community organizations with technology issues and needs,” said York.

Membership in the LLTA is open to anyone interested in promoting the technology community in the Lake Lanier area. Current members include all types of talent ranging from medical information technology staff, college administrators, private and public sector programmers, engineers and software developers.

The LLTA’s first meeting of 2006 is Thursday, January 19 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center. The program will feature a discussion on the U.S.’s return to the moon with NASA’s Jim Gerard as guest speaker. The presentation will include demonstrations as well as actual moon rocks.

The meeting is open to the public and costs $5 per person. Please RSVP to Chris Adams, 770-532-6206, or by e-mail at chris@ghcc.com, by Jan. 16.