As recent as 2004, Atlanta was dubbed “the Silicon Valley of the South” and was expected to be one of the top 5 areas in the country for the high-tech industry. Our experts discuss Atlanta’s role and position in the high-tech industry nationwide and locally.
Tino Mantella, President Technology Association of Georgia
Tino Mantella joined TAG in September 2004 as the organization’s new President. Prior to joining TAG, Mantella had amassed over 20 years of related experience leading two of the nations more prestigious volunteer-driven organizations – National Arthritis Foundation and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. As President and CEO of two multifaceted and complex charities, he spearheaded agendas that led to the development of innovative new services, resulting in the facilitation of significant membership growth. In addition, Mantella’s track record reflects impressive results in fund raising, advocacy, and economic development. Since coming to TAG, Mantella has worked with a team of dedicated volunteers and staff to: build a prestigious board made up of 60 technology stakeholders; grown membership by more than 500%; and added a series of programs and services that support TAG’s vision of educating, informing and uniting the technology community.
Mantella is a member of the boards of Venture Atlanta Coalition Inc., TAG Education Collaborative, and Catholic Charities.
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Stephen J. Walden, President The Walden Associates
Steve has held the roles of CEO, President and other senior executive positions in various technology companies over the years such as Netsurfer Corp, Innotrac Corp, Prodigy Services Company and others. As the Chief Executive Officer of a technology company he completely revitalized the business, leading it into new markets with new products and new energy. The company became highly successful and shareholders received major cash payouts.
Steve is a marketing-savvy CEO, a successful entrepreneur and private-equity investor and a consultant to businesses that wish to improve their performance. His specialties are helping companies achieve high growth and turning around businesses in difficulty. He helped to launch a new subsidiary for BellSouth, and as a divisional vice president managed and grew several of the Telco’s businesses. Currently, he shares his strategic and operational experience with the senior management and Boards of companies that desire increased profitability through strategic actions. He also serves on the Boards of multiple companies and nonprofit organizations.
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Eric Christ, Past President Patient Placement Systems
Eric has held roles such as President, CIO and other senior executive positions in various IT and high tech companies from venture-backed to Fortune 15 companies such as Patient Placement Systems, McKesson Corporation, Harbinger and 1stAg Corporation. Eric has provided various expertise roles such as marketing, product development, operations, product management, business development, market research & market communications.
Eric is on the board of the Atlanta Technology Executives Roundtable and is a member of the National Association for the Support of Long-term Care. He is active in the healthcare, electronic commerce and Internet industries as an author, speaker and contributor for such organizations as the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Georgia Association of Hospital Executives, the Data Interchange Standards Association, the Electronic Messaging Association, the Treasury Management Association and the eBusiness Conference. Eric has an MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory where he was a Robert Woodruff Fellow and a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in marketing and international management from Georgetown University.
