Atlanta Appoints Its First Senior Technology Adviser

The city of Atlanta has appointed Donald Beamer Jr. to serve as the city’s first senior technology adviser.

Mayor Andre Dickens made the appointment this week at Venture Atlanta 2022. The appointment will be effective in early 2023.

In the new role, Beamer will serve as the chief liaison with the technology sector for the mayor and help guide policy development. In addition, he will be responsible for working with Invest Atlanta to help attract new technology firms as well as working to help existing technology firms and startups grow. The role will also see Beamer advising the administration about building the city’s technology workforce.

“Atlanta is rapidly becoming the nation’s top destination for tech innovators to start their businesses and established companies to grow,” said Dickens in the announcement. “Donnie will be the city’s ambassador to the thriving tech industry and ensure that equity is at the heart of every conversation.”

According to a spokesperson with the city, this position will be an external-facing role and will not overlap with the operational duties of the CIO. The senior technology adviser position will report to the chief of staff.

Beamer will bring a variety of private-sector experience to the role, with his most recent role being the general manager of LotVision Automotive at Cox2M. He holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.