ATLANTA - Organizers behind the annual Digital Ball® technology fund-raiser have named BellSouth CEO and Chairman Duane Ackerman honorary chairman of the ball, which will be held May 3 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Manta.

Ackerman, who does not make a habit of attending local technology networking and fund-raising events, is joined by this year’s co-chair men, Joan Herbig, CEO of XcelleNet, and angel investor Sig Mosley of Imlay Investments.

The theme of this year’s Digital Ball® is Zentopia — an East-meets-West, past-and- present confluence of culture. Organizers of the ball are known to include high-tech, hip entertainment, such as the Matrix-inspired acrobatics from 2002.

Last year’s ball raised $350,000 in cash and in-kind support for Tech- Bridge , the host of the ball and the beneficiary of the event TechBridge uses the donations to bring technology sup port and assistance to local nonprofits. The Insider wonders if Ackerman will help Mosley and Herbig kick off the festivities on May 3 by sharing the first dance with his wife, Kappy.