Rocket IT Celebrates 17th Anniversary

Rocket IT celebrated 17 years in business on January 13th this year, marking another milestone in the award-winning company’s long history of serving businesses and other organizations in Gwinnett County, metro Atlanta, and beyond.

“From IT operations support to special projects like upgrading phone systems, virtualizing servers, and deploying mission critical applications, Rocket IT helps businesses succeed by delivering maximum value for their technology investment,” says founder and CEO Matt Hyatt. “And while I love the technical aspects of the work we do, the most satisfying part of my job is seeing the positive impact we’ve made upon the people and businesses around us.”

A strong focus on the development and success of others is apparently paying off. Rocket IT has enjoyed three straight years double-digit revenue, client, and employee growth despite a tough economy. “Our continued success can be directly attributed to our amazing employees, great clients and a fantastic community.” said Hyatt. “As we acknowledge our good fortune over the past 17 years, I look forward to continuing to work with good people to help others thrive.”

Rocket IT Presents Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director Doug Hooker

Rocket IT is pleased to present newly elected Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director Doug Hooker at the January Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, January 18th. The luncheon will be held at the 1818 Club from 11:30AM to 1:00PM.

Hooker was sworn in as the fourth executive director of the ARC following a unanimous vote by the commission on October 31st, 2011. With over twenty years of experience in both Metro Atlanta’s public and private sectors, he is considered by the ARC to be a “highly experienced professional with extensive ties to government, business and non-profit organizations.” Having served as an engineer in the private sector and an administrator for the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia, Hooker is a natural fit to further the ARC’s mission to serve as the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta region and help shape the region’s leadership and attention to key issues of regional consequence. Hooker will replace outgoing Executive Director Chick Krautler who retired earlier in 2011.

Hooker served as the Vice President and Southern States Director for Atkins Global (formerly PBS&J), an engineering and planning firm, from September 2005 until his election to the ARC in October. At Atkins Global, he was responsible for client development of the company’s water, environmental and transportation businesses in the Southeast. Previous to Atkins, Hooker was the Executive Director and CEO of the State Road and Tollway Authority from 2003-2005 and the Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Atlanta from 1992-1997.

When asked in a recent interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle about how his well-rounded background and public service under both Democrats and Republicans will help him in his new role with the ARC, Hooker said “They’ve given me a perspective of how different levels of government have to approach problems or issues that they might have in common, and a perspective… of how the private sector approaches the same series of issues.” Hooker continued to express the value of public and private partnerships in overcoming difficult issues such as transportation and water supplies.

Hooker holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science, Technology & Science Policy from Georgia Tech and a Masters of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He is also deeply involved with the community, as he is the co-founder, board member and former chairman of the Civil League for Regional Atlanta. He also serves on the boards of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Council for Quality Growth and the Atlanta Opera.

Cost is $45 for Chamber members; $55 for non-Chamber members. Advanced registration is required; walk-ins are not guaranteed a seat. To RSVP or for more information visit the Gwinnett Chamber website.

As the presenting sponsor of the Gwinnett Chamber’s General Membership Meeting series since 2008, Rocket IT is proud to support our local Chamber and our community.

Team Member Katie Brown Assists in Building House of Joy

As a passionate steward of community resources, Rocket IT encourages its employees to give back. Whether it be volunteering time, talents or offering donations, our employees are involved in a number of organizations throughout the community in an effort to help people thrive.

Rocket IT team member Katie Brown has partnered with Love and Action Outreach Ministries of Norcross to help raise awareness and funds for the construction of an emergency shelter for homeless women, mothers and their dependent children in Gwinnett County.

Currently, only one emergency homeless shelter exists within the county. Love and Action Outreach Ministries is working to build The House of Joy in Norcross, a shelter which will provide facilities to serve 30 women and children for an average stay of 90 days. Progress is already underway! The site, proper zoning and construction approvals have been secured, while volunteers are in place to complete the renovations and other tasks.

House of Joy’s mission is to provide women in crisis with immediate assistance, encouragement and temporary or transitional housing as needed. As at-risk families often need a wholesome and safe environment in which to recover from their challenges and setbacks, House of Joy seeks to assist those who have been subject to physical or emotional abuse, divorce, accident or illness, loss of employment or income, legal challenges or similar obstacles.

To supplement the House of Joy construction efforts, Love and Outreach is in the process of establishing a thrift store which will be open to the public. The proceeds of the store will go directly to the construction of the emergency shelter. Additionally, various fundraising events are currently being held throughout Metro Atlanta and Gwinnett County, and typically include a featured speaker and silent auction items.

Love and Action Outreach Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is based within Gwinnett County. It was founded in 1998 by Bobbi Pack while she was attending Rhema Bible College. To learn more about Love and Action, make a donation, or offer your time as a volunteer please visit the House of Joy website.

Wendy Frank Completes Women in Technology Leadership Foundations Program

Rocket IT team member Wendy Frank recently graduated from the Women in Technology (WIT) Careers in Action: Leadership Foundations program. Congratulations Wendy!

The Leadership Foundations program is a six month professional development course for high-performing women who are either in the early stages of their management career, or are individual contributors seeking to broaden their skill set and advance their career opportunities.

Over the course of the program, Wendy worked with an individual team of three students which was coached by a mentor that holds a senior-level position in the IT industry. The team covered topics such as developing a personal leadership vision, effective goal setting, negotiation skills, building influence and social capital within personal networks.

“The Leadership Foundations program taught me how to develop and set realistic goals” said Frank. “It also helped me develop more confidence in my foundation and skills. I met some amazing women who inspired me to move forward to the next level in my career!” she continued.

Wendy plans to remain active with WIT through the Girls Get IT initiative. This program works with the Georgia business community to reach out to girls in middle and high school to educate them on careers in technology, science and math. Girls Get IT helps expose young women to career opportunities by providing insight through actual on-the-job experiences.

Wendy’s participation in the WIT Leadership Foundations program was supported by Rocket IT’s employee training and development initiative. Each year, this initiative provides Rocket IT employees with the resources and freedom to select which career development and training opportunities they wish to participate in.

Rocket IT Presents Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle

Rocket IT is pleased to present Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle along with the Gwinnett Chamber at the 2011 Georgia Leadership Luncheon on Wednesday, December 14th at the Gwinnett Center from 11:30AM to 1:00PM.

Lt. Governor Cagle was elected to Georgia’s second highest office in 2006. His defeat of Democrat Jim Martin made history, as Cagle became the first Republican in state history to hold this office. In November 2010, voters elected to return him to office for another four year term. Prior to holding the Lt. Governorship, Cagle was elected to the Georgia State Senate at age twenty-eight to represent the people of Hall County. He served in the Senate for 12 years until his election to the Lt. Governor’s office.

As Lt. Governor, Cagle’s primary role is to serve as the President of the Senate. Much of his work while in office has been focused on education and healthcare. Accomplishments include his Charter System Initiative, which allows entire school systems to convert to charter system status and offer individualized educational programs. Additionally, Cagle launched the Georgia College and Career Academy Network to prepare students for entry into highly-skilled, 21st-century workforce roles upon graduation. There are currently 23 college and career academies in operation today.

Born and raised in Hall County, Cagle attended Gainesville College and Georgia Southern University, where he played football until an injury ended his sports career. Upon his return to Gainesville in 1986, Cagle started a tuxedo rental company that he eventually expanded into multiple locations throughout North Georgia. In 1999, he founded Southern Heritage Bank and served as its chairman until a merger with Gainesville Bank & Trust in 2004.

Lt. Governor Cagle was recently named as one of the most influential Georgians by James Magazine. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, Vice Chairman of the One Georgia Authority, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.

Cost is $45 for Chamber members; $55 for non-Chamber members. Advanced registration is required; walk-ins are not guaranteed a seat. To RSVP or for more information visit the Gwinnett Chamber website.

As the presenting sponsor of the Gwinnett Chamber’s General Membership Meeting series since 2008, Rocket IT is proud to support our local Chamber and our community.