James Blair, international project manager at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has been elected president of the Atlanta chapter of the French American Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Blair, who directed the state of Georgia’s European office, which was then in Brussels, for 16 years, succeeds Michele Oliveres, owner of Olivers Travel Services Inc., who has been named president emeritus.
There are more than 100 French companies in Georgia, and many Georgia companies have investments in France, Mr. Blair noted in a news release.
As chamber president, he plans to increase the number of networking events.
“Personal contacts between executives create the opportunity to identify profitable business opportunities,” he said. “The French American chamber can open the door by providing a platform for these executives to meet and do business.”
The Atlanta chapter, which has about 220 members, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. On Friday, it will hold “Passport to France, ” a tribute to France’s tradition of manufacturing luxury goods. The event will be at the Intercontinental Hotel Buckhead on Peachtree Road.
The chamber’s new executive board includes vice presidents Jean-Pierre Etcheberrigaray, who is a vice president at the InterContinental Hotels Group and David Aferiat, managing partner of financial software company Trade Ideas. Richard Taylor, a certified public accountant with HLB Gross Collins, P.C., is treasurer.
For more information on the chamber, click here.