Special Edition: Georgia CIO Leadership Association

Joe Surber is the senior vice president and chief information officer for AGL Resources (NYSE:GAS). As chief information officer since 2008, he is responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the company’s technology platform in alignment with business goals. His role extends to leadership of the company’s enterprise portfolio of real estate and facilities.

Mr. Surber serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Technology Authority as an appointee of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. His industry leadership is recognized through his service as the chair of the Technology Advisory Council of the American Gas Association and as a member of the advisory board of the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. Mr. Surber is an active member of the Atlanta community where he serves on the board of directors for Midtown Alliance and also supports many other local non-profit organizations. He has twice served as the technology campaign chair of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, where he remains on the cabinet.

Mr. Surber is a member of the 2013 class of Leadership Atlanta and the Multiple Sclerosis Society Leadership Hall of Fame and a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute. Mr. Surber also has been recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as a “Top 40 Under 40” and as an “Up and Comer” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He is a recipient of the U.S.B. Award from the United Way of Greater Atlanta for his advocacy and support of the organization.

Jay Ferro / American Cancer Society

Jay is currently Chief Information Officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS), a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has more than 900 local offices nationwide and a presence in more than 5,100 communities. Jay is responsible for the people, strategy and operations of the Global Information Technology organization.

Prior to joining ACS in 2012, Jay served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for AdCare Health Systems, a rapidly growing and recognized innovator in health care facility management. Jay spent the previous 7 years at AIG (American International Group), most recently as VP and CIO for AIG Aerospace, a leading global aerospace insurer. At AIG, Jay implemented numerous improvements that have delivered substantial value to the organization while managing significant organizational change in a turbulent market environment. In addition to his role as AVP of Information Technology with AIG Personal Lines, Jay was selected as CFO for Operations and Systems in 2006 and led multiple global IT Finance and Governance Standards initiatives that resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the organization.

Jay continues to be a thought leader in the Information Technology arena and is a frequent guest speaker and panelist, both in Atlanta and Nationwide. In recognition of his accomplishments, Jay was selected as Georgia CIO of the Year in 2011, and is currently serving as Chair for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association.

His commitment and dedication to community involvement is evidenced by the time and energy he contributes. In 2007, he founded the non-profit group, Priscilla’s Promise, in honor of his late wife, which raises funds for cervical cancer education and research, and currently serves as its Executive Director. In 2011 he was elected to the Board of Directors for TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization which helps other nonprofits use technology to improve their capability to serve the community, and in 2013 was named Board Chair.

Jay earned both his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and his Masters of Business Administration from The University of Georgia. Jay continues to be involved with his alma mater, both as a mentor for young alumni and as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors for the Terry College of Business.

Jay lives in the Metro Atlanta Area with his 3 sons: Trey, Connor and Alex.