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ATLANTA, Ga. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, George M. Israel III, will speak on March 30 to the state’s largest association of business brokers, GABB, on ways Georgia can recover economically by remaining a place where businesses can thrive.

Mr. Israel, the former mayor of Macon, has more than 25 years experience as a Chief Executive Officer with organizations in government, real estate sales management and development, property management and managed health care.

“Georgia’s ability to compete economically with other states, provide the necessary resources and infrastructure, and offer a qualified workforce will allow business to succeed,” said Mr. Israel.

Addressing the state’s budget shortfall must “include the consideration of changes to the current tax system that would not only provide a competitive advantage in corporate recruitment but also encourage existing businesses to remain and grow in our state,” Mr. Israel said.

The state must address infrastructure needs, and the most critical of these today is water, Israel said. The state’s economic health has been threatened by the removal of Lake Lanier as a water supply source. Increased congestion has threatened communities, and Israel urged legislators to reach consensus on transportation funding proposals to efficiently move both people and freight

“Finally, no company can be successful without qualified workers,” said Israel. “Measures to promote academic excellence, ensure sound leadership in our schools, create educational options, and provide advanced skills training are all necessary for our communities to attract the jobs of tomorrow and for our state to build the nation’s best workforce.”

Mr. Israel will speak at the GABB’s meeting Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the South Terraces Conference Center, 115 Perimeter Center Place, Atlanta, GA, 30346. The meeting is free and open to the public. Networking begins at 9:45 a.m. with a light breakfast before the 10:30 a.m. meeting

The Georgia Association of Business Brokers (GABB) is the state’s only professional organization and Multiple Listing Service dedicated to buying and selling businesses and franchises (www.gabb.org). An experienced GABB business broker can help a buyer find businesses for sale, negotiate a fair price and obtain financing. A broker can help an owner evaluate and price a business, market and advertise to prospective buyers, negotiate and close a deal. The GABB Web site lists hundreds of businesses for sale throughout Georgia, as well as around the country.

George M. Israel III is President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The Macon native has more than 25 years experience as a Chief Executive Officer with organizations in government, real estate sales management and development, property management and managed health care. Israel is a proven leader who gets results.

Israel attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and the University of Georgia. He began his career as a field underwriter for the life, health and accident insurance industry. From 1979 until 1987, he served as Mayor of the City of Macon. In 1987, Israel became President & CEO of The Potomac Corporation, a European Venture Capital firm. During the early 1990s, he led Fickling & Walker Company in Macon before moving to Secure Health Plans of Georgia in 1994 as President & CEO.

Israel currently serves on the Board of Directors for a number of organizations, including the Georgia Allies, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Georgia Cities Foundation. He is a Board Advisor for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Israel served as Chairman of the 21st Century Partnership in Middle Georgia for BRAC (1993-95), Chair of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce (1993), Chair of the Macon Economic Development Commission (1988-92) and Co-Chair of the Macon-Bibb County Unification Commission. He was appointed by Gov. Zell Miller to Chair the State of Georgia Commission on Privatization (1994-98). He was also appointed by Gov. Miller to serve on the Georgia Military Affairs Coordinating Committee (GMACC) from 1993-96. In 2003, Gov. Sonny Perdue reappointed Israel to the GMACC. In 2006, Israel was named “Georgian of the Year” by Georgia Trend Magazine.

Israel and his wife Pam have two grown children and one grandchild.

More information about GABB: www.gabb.org .

News Source: Georgia Association of Business Brokers

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