The Advanced Technology Development Center is excited to announce the hiring of Chris Dickson as the new Startup Catalyst in Augusta, Georgia.

In that role, he will manage the ATDC @ Augusta programming and work with entrepreneurs looking to build technology companies and product-based startups in the greater Augusta region.

Dickson is an experienced management consultant who has supported startups in the Augusta region since moving to the area in 2005.  He founded The George Group LLC, a niche operations consulting firm, in 2008 to support the commercialization of new products and technical services.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be in the Augusta area,” Dickson said. “The startup community is vibrant and the community is engaged. I’m honored to be helping local technology companies accelerate their entrepreneurial journey and, in so doing, accelerating the growth of technology jobs in the state of Georgia.”

Prior to starting his own company, he led several global Fortune 500 strategic business units and private equity funded firms in roles ranging from executive vice president to CEO. In addition, Dickson was an advisor/angel investor in two early stage medical device companies in the Boston area before moving back to the Southeast.

“Chris brings a wealth of experience that will prove beneficial to our entrepreneur’s and startups,” said ATDC Statewide Program Manager Ben Andrews. “Augusta has so many positive things happening around innovation with groups such as theClubhou.se and the Georgia Cyber Center that are creating a strong ecosystem for startups to thrive. We’re excited to continue our work in the Augusta area.”

As a local volunteer, Dickson has coached and/or mentored more than 100 startups and early stage companies in the Central Savannah River Area. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Clemson University.  A firm believer in lifelong learning, Dickson has attended executive education sessions at Harvard University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. For the past two years, he has taught project management, creativity, and leadership classes at the McKimmon Center for Extension & Continuing Education at North Carolina State University.