Williams returns to Atlanta after taking The Beacon Council in Miami-Dade to new heights

Following a national search, Larry Williams, currently president and CEO of The Beacon Council, has been recruited to become President and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the nation’s largest state technology trade association with more than 30,000 members.

“Larry’s track record as an executive able to craft, lead and oversee successful strategic plans and public-private partnerships impressed the selection committee and Board members,” said Stacie Hagan, vice president of human resources at SecureWorks and TAG 2016 board chair. “This combined with his proven ability to rally the right people, resources and initiatives to help advance technology and start-up companies makes Larry the ideal leader to drive TAG forward.”

Williams brings more than 25 years of experience in global branding, international trade and finance, public and industrial policy, and administration and management to TAG. As the leader of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development partnership, Williams facilitates local, national and international business growth and expansion programs. Under Williams’ leadership The Beacon Council created and executed a new economic development framework to help the area grow and secure investments in today innovation economy. This is resulted in $687 million in new investment, 119 company relocations or expansions, and more than 4,500 new jobs.

“As TAG continues to advance Georgia’s technology leadership position within the U.S. and grow that reputation globally, we will lean heavily on Larry’s international expertise and global understanding,” said John Trainor, chief information officer and vice president at Aaron's, Inc. and TAG 2017 board chair-elect. “One of the greatest gifts Atlanta received from the 1996 Summer Olympics was recognition as an international city; now’s the time for our technology ecosystem to capitalize on that and Larry can help make that happen.”

From 2011 to 2014 Williams helped shape the vision for Atlanta’s tech sector as vice president of technology development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. He provided leadership and direction to the Chamber’s Mobility Task Force, positioning Atlanta as a global hub of mobile technology, and to the Technology Leadership Council. Williams will assume his new position as President and CEO of TAG later this year.

“With a solid reputation as a true consensus-builder and communicator, Larry not only has the skills needed to work effectively within Atlanta’s complex business environment, but also the relationships,” said Barry McCarthy, executive vice president and head of network and security solutions at First Data and TAG board immediate past chair. “Larry is the right leader for the next great chapter for TAG.”

“While working with Larry to establish the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Mobility Task Force and make the Mobility Live event a reality, I saw firsthand the impact of Larry’s leadership,” said Glenn Lurie, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Operations. “Today’s announcement is a big plus for the business and technology communities in Georgia. I’m happy to see Larry return to Atlanta.”

There is no doubt Williams has big shoes to fill, as he follows Tino Mantella who has been President and CEO of TAG for more than a decade. But he says he is up to the challenge. “My time in Miami has been amazing and the business and civic leaders there are incredible so leaving is bitter sweet,” says Williams. “I am looking forward to again working with Georgia’s forward-facing technology and business leaders to continue to build on TAG’s success and execute on the quantum growth strategy the TAG board rolled out earlier this year.”

Under Mantella's leadership, TAG has become the largest state technology trade association in North America, with more than 30,000 members, multiple chapters and societies, and a prestigious board made up of more than 60 of Georgia's leading technology stakeholders.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 30,000 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 advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. TAG hosts more than 200 events each year and serves as an umbrella organization for 34 professional societies. For more information, visit http://www.tagonline.org/.