ATLANTA — May 16, 2012 — The Atlanta CEO Council, an exclusive organization for C-level executives, announced today its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia, an organization dedicated to preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. The Council will support the organization’s new program designed to help promote financial literacy and build career skills in middle school students around metro Atlanta. With a proposed lead investment from the S. Truett Cathy Foundation, the interactive environment is projected to be housed at the Georgia World Congress Center and consist of two components, JA Finance Park and JA BizTown – both will allow students the opportunity for hands-on decision making and “real world” experience. JA Finance Parks and JA BizTowns are currently established in 25 communities across the country.
“Since our organization’s inception, we have been dedicated to furthering our mission of entrepreneurship, leadership and financial responsibility,” said Sig Mosley, chairman of the Atlanta CEO Council. “Our partnership with Junior Achievement of Georgia allows us to utilize our membership – many of whom are already involved – and their talents and expertise to influence young lives, give back to the Atlanta community and impact tomorrow’s business leaders.”
As a partner with JA of Georgia the Atlanta CEO Council plans to assist in the organization’s efforts to build an educational, simulation center that will be accessible to all students during the middle grade years, which, according to Junior Achievement, is a key point when students begin to make pivotal decisions about their education and career pathways.
“With the support of the corporate community, we will develop an interactive market place representative of the local business landscape, including financial services, banks, media, telecommunications, utilities, retail, manufacturing, restaurants and more,” said Jack Harris, president of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Designed to deliver high-tech, hands-on educational experiences, the simulation centers will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge around business, personal finance, and the vital link between education and achieving future success.”
During the Council’s May meeting, Harris and other members of JA of Georgia will be in attendance to announce details of the initiative. For more information about the partnership or additional information about the Atlanta CEO Council and its mission, please visit www.atlantaceo.org.
About Junior Achievement of Georgia, Inc.
Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA of Georgia) and its volunteers bridge the gap between the business and education communities by providing relevant, hands-on curriculum. The hallmark of JA is its unique use of local business volunteers who facilitate age-appropriate curriculum to K-12 students in a variety of different formats and venues. Through JA’s in-school and after-school programs, all of which focus on entrepreneurship, personal financial literacy and workforce readiness, JA of Georgia works to increase the high school graduation rate of our state’s youth while also ensuring they have the tools needed to compete in the global economy. During the 2011/2012 school year, JA of Georgia impacted more than 155,000 students statewide through six district offices located in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville and Savannah. For more information, visit www.georgia.ja.org
About the Atlanta CEO Council
Now in its thirteenth year, the Atlanta CEO Council is an exclusive organization for C-Level and senior business executives and entrepreneurs. The organization fosters professional networking between members and works to support the growth of business in the metro Atlanta region. Members of the Atlanta CEO Council represent companies that employ more than 50,000 people in the Atlanta region and generate over $10 billion in direct annual revenue for the local economy. For more information on the Atlanta CEO Council, visit www.atlantaceo.org
###