Sun Microsystems Inc. has hired Larry Singer, former chief information officer of Georgia, as vice president of Sun's global information systems strategy office, the company announced Thursday.

At Sun Microsystems, Singer will work closely with customers to develop strategies for lowering the costs of computing, reducing technology complexity and implementing computer security. Singer will report to Mark Tolliver, Sun Microsystems executive vice president of marketing and chief strategy officer.

Singer became CIO of Georgia and the executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority in 2000, where he oversaw development of IT policy and strategic planning. He also approved the purchase of key technology resources and advised the executive and legislative branches on technology matters.

Sun Microsystems of Santa Clara, Calif., is a provider of hardware, software and services for network computing. The company has about 39,400 employees and annual sales of $12.4 billion, according to Hoover's Online of Austin, Texas.