The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce has named local businessman John Kyle as chairman of its business technology division.

Mr. Kyle, who is managing director of Gateway Systems and was said to have more than 30 years of information technology experience, replaces Nancy Volesky as chairman although a Press statement said she will remain an active member of the division.

Mr. Kyle said: "Since technology's influence now pervades virtually all business practices, the chamber's business technology division must assume a greater support role for members.

"We look forward to helping Bermudian businesses to grow as well as increasing our chamber membership." The division currently has 33 members.

The division is five years old and has recently revised its mission statement to better reflect it's purpose: "To cultivate the best environment in which all business can thrive, by promoting the adoption of technologies, applications and policies."

It's objectives include; establishing better ties with related organisations for information exchange and potential partnerships concerning common interest initiatives; remaining a community resource for input on related government issues and legislation and encouraging educational initiatives related to technology.

In addition to Mr. Kyle's appointment, two vice-chairmen were also named: Ronnie Viera, a senior vice-president at First Atlantic Commerce and Michael Branco, vice-president and lead developer for QuoVadis Ltd.

Mr. Viera also chairs the Government Liaison Sub-Committee for the Business Technology Division.

The division's executive committee was said to have representatives from ABIC, the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-commerce, B-TEC and the E-Commerce Faculty at Bermuda College.

Sub-Committees include: Membership & Chamber Liaison Committee ? Vicki Coelho, chairperson; Government Liaison Committee ? Ronnie Viera, chairman; Education Committee - Jonathan Koshar, chairman; Business Community Initiatives ? Jim Ivey, chairman.