Barnes & Thornburg is pleased to announce that Zachary Johnson, director of state government affairs in the firm’s Atlanta office, has been selected to serve on the Georgians First Commission’s State Procurement for Small Business Task Force Committee. The Georgians First Commission was created by Gov. Brian Kemp to work to streamline government, remove inefficiencies, and secure Georgia's place as the top state for small businesses in the country.
Johnson will work with other private sector leaders and commission members to provide recommendations to the governor’s office on streamlining and improving state procurement opportunities for small businesses.
As a director of state government affairs in the Atlanta office, Johnson assists businesses with government procurement and strategic sourcing at state agencies, county and municipal governments, and universities. He is one of just a few government affairs specialists in Georgia who has earned the distinction of Certified Purchasing Agent, giving him a unique understanding of the government procurement process.
Johnson is deeply ingrained in the local government procurement community, having previously led government outreach at the Georgia Department of Administrative Services and having served on the Georgia Technology Authority Innovation Committee, where he developed strategies to promote innovation across state government. Johnson also also held positions with the office of Sen. Cecil Staton, Georgia State Senate Majority Whip, and the State Bar of Georgia.