UCBI Technology Officer offers business community insight
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. (Jan. 30, 2012) – United Community Banks, Inc. Chief Technology Officer Jim Stewart has been named to the North Georgia Network Community Advisory Board.
The North Georgia Network is building a high-speed fiber-optic network that will benefit Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties with more reliable and more affordable high-speed Internet access.
The Community Advisory Board provides public oversight to NGN and provides feedback from the communities to the overall board of directors. As an advisory board member, Stewart will offer insight from a business standpoint.
The fiber-optic network will benefit Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties with more reliable and more affordable high-speed Internet access.
“As a Chief Technology Officer of a bank with locations across North Georgia and in North Carolina and Tennessee, Jim can provide his perspective for managing business technology for multiple sites,” said Bruce Abraham, president and CEO of North Georgia Network. “He understands the importance of moving data quickly and how the fiber optic network will be a great asset for businesses in North Georgia.”
Stewart is responsible for all technology-related functions at Blairsville-based UCBI, a role he has held since joining the company in 2001. Prior to joining UCBI, he was the Director of Technology for Century South Banks from 1998-2001 and Director of Client Services at Fiserv Atlanta from 1990-1998. Stewart began his banking career at Vinings Bank & Trust in 1988.
“I look forward to providing input and being a part of a venture that will totally change business and education in this area,” Stewart said. “The North Georgia Network will place North Georgia schools and business on the same plain with others worldwide and open avenues that have not been available in the past.”
The $42 million North Georgia Network broadband infrastructure project is made possible in large part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA provided grant funds to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to support major improvements in broadband infrastructure for the nation’s digitally unserved and underserved. In December 2009, NGN became the first organization to be awarded a grant through the program, receiving $33 million under the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Additional funding came from the OneGeorgia Authority and participating local communities.
For more information, contact:
Tiffany Fessler
Morton Vardeman & Carlson
770-536-8921
tiffany@vardeman.com
Jeff Butler
Morton Vardeman & Carlson
770-536-8921
jeff@vardeman.com
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