“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 31, The North Fulton Chamber 2019 Year in Review: An Interview with Chairman Bill Bland and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar
2019 was a record-breaking year for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and 2020 promises to be a year of continued growth and activity. On this edition of “GNFCC 400 Insider,” host Kali Boatright speaks with outgoing GNFCC Chairman Bill Bland and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar. “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
Bill Bland, 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Bill Bland is Senior Vice President with Choate Construction. Bill’s primary responsibility for Choate is to originate and implement a marketing and sales strategy; focusing on procuring projects which fit the company’s experience and qualifications. On select projects, he works with the preconstruction team to review plans, and offer input into the program and schedule. Bill has been with Choate for 25 years where he was a project manager before joining the executive management of the company.
Prior to joining Choate, Bill was a principal and project manager for Wood, Morris & Bland where he was involved in the design and construction of numerous healthcare-related projects across the country. Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Southern University and he is also a graduate of Georgia College and State University, where he received his Masters in Business Administration.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bill is active in several civic and professional associations. He has served as past President of CoreNet Global and Real Estate Group of Atlanta (REGA), and he is an active member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is also an executive board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce where he serves as chair for the annual golf tournament and the 2019 Chairman of The Board.
Alan Najjar, Chairman-Elect, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Alan Najjar is the 2020 Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Alan has overseen the business development efforts of Smith & Howard since 2011.
A veteran of the Atlanta banking and business community, Alan has held executive level leadership positions at SunTrust Bank and other Georgia financial institutions. Prior to joining Smith & Howard, he was the EVP and Chief Operating Officer of an Atlanta-based financial services company.
Alan is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He is a veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Alan serves on the Board of Directors for The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee emeritus for Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation and Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. He is active in numerous civic, social and academic organizations. Alan and his wife, Donna, are long-time residents of Gwinnett County and when away from the office, Alan most enjoys sunrises on the lake and time with his family.
About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”
“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806.
For the complete show archive of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” go to GNFCC400Insider.com. “The GNFCC 400 Insider is produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.