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Atlanta Sister Cities figures broaden outreach in international relations Atlanta, August 2003: Three members of the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission have been appointed to roles that will broaden their involvement in steering the international relations of the city and state.   Lou Zakas, founding chair of the Atlanta – Ancient City of Olympia (Greece) Sister City Committee, has been appointed as Coordinator for the State of Georgia by Sister Cities International (SCI) – the coordinating organization for United States citizen diplomacy network, responsible for creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities. In his role, Zakas will represent state membership to the national organization, and respond to the needs of the sister city programs throughout Georgia, working closely with the state municipal league to promote the concept of sister cities. Georgia cities have 38 international sister city relationships, 17 of which are with the City of Atlanta. Two other members of Atlanta Sister Cities Commission have been appointed to serve with the ‘Atlanta, Georgia: Gateway to the Americas’, the non-profit enterprise that spearheads Georgia’s efforts to locate the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) Secretariat permanently in Atlanta. The group also seeks to encourage trade and investment with Canada, enhance commerce with Latin America and increase tourism to the city and state. Vin Martin, Honorary Consul of Jamaica and Atlanta Sister Cities Commission member and former Vice Chair, has been appointed by Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin, as board member. Georgianne Thomas, Chair of the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission has been appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the Business and Civic membership of the group’s Advisory Council.  Thomas is also board member of Sister Cities International. Thomas said, “I am delighted to see the extended involvement of the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission and it members across city, state and national groups. This further underlines the recognition of the Commission’s role in the region’s international affairs and its relevance to the community.” ENDS