Merger with
Illinois Defense Industry Association,
Market Strategy Group, Join Emerging
Technologies Act Coalition, Illinois IT
Talent Survey, Midwest State Government
Affairs, Member News & Announcements
We are pleased to announce that
TechAmerica and the Illinois Defense
Industry Association (IDIA) have merged to
strengthen our focus on providing the
Illinois and Midwest technology and defense
industry access to resources to grow their
public sector business, visibility, and
strategic partnerships. This merger is part
of TechAmerica’s ever expanding portfolio
of products, services, and affinity
programs within the commercial and public
sector.
The Illinois Defense Industry
Association is a professional organization
of over 40 Illinois businesses dedicated to
improving opportunities for Illinois
companies working in the defense and
homeland security industries. Founded in
1997 by eight companies with a vision for
cooperative effort and mutual advancement,
the organization has grown to include large
and small manufacturers, information
technology firms and support organizations. IDIA hosts regular networking meetings,
legislative updates and informational
sessions on topics of interest to our
members and provides educational
information to the media, general public,
public agencies and elected officials on
the vibrant and growing Illinois business
segment providing goods and services in the
defense of our Nation.
Illinois and the greater Midwest region
is home to thousands of companies that sell
products and services to the government. An
expected $150 billion will be spent in 2009
by state, local, and federal government on
technology products and services. The
government remains the largest procurer of
technology products in the world, and these
contracts provide significant opportunities
for technology and defense oriented
companies to grow their business. Illinois
and the greater Midwest region is a leader
in developing innovative products,
services, and public sector solutions.
The merger between TechAmerica and IDIA
includes the formation of the Illinois
Defense & Technology Procurement Advisory
Board, which is a sub-committee of
TechAmerica’s Midwest Board of Directors.
Companies participating on the Advisory
Board include:
Motorola, Inc.,
The
Boeing Company,
SAIC,
SPSS Inc.,
Zebra Technologies, Inc.,
PCTEL, Inc.,
Univa UD, and
RedSky Technologies, Inc.
The new Advisory Board is open to
defense or technology oriented member
companies of TechAmerica.
TechAmerica and the new Illinois Defense &
Technology Procurement Advisory Board will
expand resources for members of the
combined organizations to develop new
strategic partnerships, business
development opportunities, focused
programmatic activities, and legislative
initiatives at the state and federal level. The Advisory Board and newly merged
organization will focus on assisting small,
medium, and large businesses in Illinois
with their public sector efforts and
strategy. Members will also have access to
a broad range of committees, market
intelligence resources, and standards
development offered through TechAmerica’s
Public Sector Group.
TechAmerica’s Public Sector Group is the
leading promoter of e-Gov for the federal,
state, and local government markets. Companies looking to network with major IT
contractors or dialogue with their
government customers have significant
opportunity within the Public Sector Group. Members have the ability to meet directly
with Federal Agency CIO’s, State and Local
CIO’s, program managers, and other key
decision makers, and actively influence
outsourcing/procurement issues with agency
and congressional officials. Details on TechAmerica’s public sector committees can
be found at
www.aeanet.org/PS.
As part of our campaign to tell the story
of our expanding association, we are
pleased to share with you this Web video. We think it clearly shows who we are, what
we represent and where the future begins.
We encourage you to post a link to this
video on your Web site and share it with at
least three of your friends and colleagues. You can simply forward this email or click
click
here.
TechAmerica is the largest and
strongest voice and resource for technology
in the United States, and we continue to
bring you unparalleled advocacy, networking
and research services. In the Midwest, and
across the country, we represent our
industry’s largest innovators, technology
employers, and hundreds of emerging
companies. Our Midwest State Policy Program
is the leading advocacy program
representing the technology industry in our
state and region. We pride ourselves on
providing the technology industry unrivaled
resources and we appreciate your ongoing
involvement and support. TechAmerica
Midwest is also pleased to welcome several
new Midwest member companies. There’s more
to come….the future begins here.
Welcome New TechAmerica Midwest member
companies:
Accenture
Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc.
(ADT)
Authentify, Inc.
BABYLON
The
Boeing Company
Capgemini
CDW
CareerBuilder
NanoInk, Inc.
Qbase Data Services
Redmane Technology LLC
RedSky Technologies, Inc.
Syntel, Inc.
TechGuard Security, LLC
TechTeam Global
Sincerely,
Ed Longanecker
Executive
Director
TechAmerica Midwest
Christopher W. Hansen
Chief Executive Officer
TechAmerica
230 W. Monroe Suite 2270
Chicago, Illinois 60606 T: 312.356.5710 F: 312.443.0049
www.mkt-strat.com
History shows
that companies who focus on both growth and
cost reduction are the ones who emerge
strongest from a downturn. It’s not an
“either-or” proposition. Costs must be cut,
but especially for organizations with
strong balance sheets and cash flow, now is
also the time to position for taking share
and developing markets. At Market Strategy
Group we help clients navigate both paths.
Cost
Reduction Solutions
Immediate cost reductions are necessary for
the short term but not enough to position
for the longer term. To create sustainable
savings we help clients rapidly assess and
reduce three kinds of costs: (i) hidden
operating costs, (ii) organizational and
program-driven costs (people and program
spend), and (iii) infrastructure costs.
In one case we
helped a company reduce costs by 10 cents
of pre-tax EPS – after they had already
conducted significant cost-cutting efforts.
One of our cost
reduction clients, Mike Smiley, the CFO at
Zebra Technologies, said it best: “Market
Strategy Group drove cost reduction
programs that created substantial savings
in my organization. They did so with
integrity and a personal approach that
enabled the organization to successfully
embrace the difficult choices that make
savings sustainable. I strongly recommend
them to anyone looking to reduce costs,
because they are willing to share in the
savings risk and they deliver on their
promise.”
Growth
Solutions
Some markets will emerge faster and better
from this downturn than others. We help
organizations identify and enter new or
adjacent markets that present the best
growth opportunities. As an example, we
recently worked with a leading online
technology company to shape their entry
into a promising new $700 million market
when the economy recovers.
Now is also an opportune time for companies
to look innovatively at how to optimize
revenue. We recently showed a leading
private equity firm how to achieve an 8%
revenue lift for one its portfolio
companies through better customer retention
programs, as well as how to improve lead
conversion and customer acquisition to
protect significant revenue at risk.
For More
Information
Chicago-based Market Strategy Group has
been delivering growth and cost reduction
solutions since 2003. Founders each bring
more than 25 years of consulting and
business experience. For more information
please contact President Michael Krauss at
312.356.5737.
Boeing Expands Investment in Future
Workforce through FIRSTTM
National Partnership Fosters Innovation and Increases the Audience for
Robotics Competitions
CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced
a four-year national partnership with FIRSTTM (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology), valued at $4 million, to
encourage students to explore careers in math and science. This expanded
relationship builds upon an ongoing commitment by Boeing employees to
help shape the future of technology innovation in the United States.
Read more.
Motorola’s Advanced Troubleshooting and
SMART RF Solutions Help Simplify Wireless LAN Networking Unique wireless networking solutions help organizations reduce annual
wireless LAN maintenance costs
Schaumburg, Ill. – February 24, 2009 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), today
announced two innovative wireless LAN network management solutions
designed to help IT departments simplify the maintenance and management
of their wireless LAN networks. With Motorola’s Advanced Troubleshooting
and Self-monitoring at Run Time Radio Frequency (SMART RF) solutions, IT
managers can now remotely analyze and perform network testing from a
central location as well as take advantage of next-generation
self-healing features for hassle-free network management and optimal
wireless LAN performance.
Read more.
Telular's Fixed Cellular Solution Now
Available Over Verizon's Nationwide Network The SX7M is the
Newest Addition to Verizon Wireless’ Open Development Program
February 11, 2009 – Telular Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLS) announced today
that the Wi-PATH™ SX7M fixed cellular terminal, which it is bringing to
the marketplace under Verizon Wireless’ open development program, has
been certified to run on the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and
data network. Telular, through its various product lines, is a global
leader in wireless communications allowing business and residential
customers to remain connected using both analog and digital
communication devices. The SX7M delivers a complete mobile communication
experience, instantly enabling wireless broadband data and Internet
services over a single wireless network.
Read more.
TechAmerica
continues work to educate our membership about the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 and what it means to the high-tech industry.
Members can download a comprehensive overview
that outlines spending on:
Education &
Technology
Tax
Provisions
Funding for
Research and Science
Technology
Upgrades for Government
Energy and
Technology
Improving our
Broadband Infrastructure
Health
Information Technology
Trade Issues
Additionally, over the last two weeks,
TechAmerica partnered with INPUT to host a
series of webinars that focused on the
impact of the stimulus package to
state/local governments and to federal
government contractors.
For
additional information on the stimulus,
please contact
Josh Lamel; or for specific
provisions on tax issues contact
Marie Lee
or
Bartlett Cleland; for Health IT contact
Eric Ebenstein; and for trade and
International issues contact
Rob Mulligan.
John Palafoutas (bio) Executive Vice President, Commercial
Sector
International Environment Committee
Meeting Highlights
The International Environment Committee had
another productive meeting on February 25 at TechAmerica’s Santa Clara office
and via conference call. EU directives
(that are in the process of being revised), U.S. state/federal
activities regarding ewaste, and energy efficiency were three main topics
of discussion. A representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce
asked for companies input regarding the U.S. becoming signatory to the
Basel Convention. Response so far has been mixed from supporting
to not important. If you would like to read further, please refer to the
link: http://www.basel.int.
The Committee is planning to hold its next
quarterly meeting on May 20 where component
suppliers will discuss material composition of their products and how they
supply that information to their supply chain. Additionally, they will discuss the information needed by the
upstream supply chain in order to comply with global environmental
regulations and how to get that information from their downstream
suppliers; i.e. the component suppliers. This upcoming all day
meeting will again be held in Silicon Valley with conference call
capabilities. Additional meetings are scheduled for September 23
and November 18.
On anther note, regarding
China RoHS, MIIT
(Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) is still working to
develop a Catalogue of products that need to be RoHS compliant.
This development work should be completed by the end of 2009.
Simultaneously, the Chinese government is investigating the way in which
they will conduct testing to ensure that the products in the Catalogue
are compliant with the regulations.
In conclusion, the Chinese government is
investigating ways to reduce energy consumption via energy efficiency
throughout the country. This could prove to be an interesting
value proposition for companies.
Rob Mulligan (bio)
Senior Vice
President International
TechAmerica's 2009 Environmental Roadshow
will be coming to four regions across the
country this spring. The event schedule is
as follows:
April
28: Silicon Valley/Northern
California
May 1:
New England
May 5:
Texas/Dallas Council
May 7:
Midwest Council
Steve
Andrews from the UK Department for
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
(formerly the Department for Trade and
Industry) and Chris Smith from the UK RoHS
& Batteries Enforcement Authority (NWML)
will again be speaking at all four events.
Other
speaking/discussion topics include China
RoHS, Energy Efficiency and Energy using
Products, State Legislation/State
Activities, REACH regulation and
Environmental and Green Initiatives. All
four events are all day program allowing
for plenty of discussion time and
networking.
TechAmerica looks forward to seeing you at
an Environmental Roadshow near you.
For more information on the International
Issues affecting your company, visit:
On
March 10, TechAmerica announced opposition to Wisconsin's proposed
electronic recycling legislation as it puts forth unrealistic,
unnecessary, and unsustainable requirements on electronics
manufacturers. Currently, the proposed bill would require that
manufacturers recycle 80% of the products that were sold in the previous
calendar year or pay a fine.
"The high-tech
industry is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our
products throughout their lifecycle, and our members are willing and
able to establish a producer responsibility system for obsolete
electronics in Wisconsin," said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director,
TechAmerica Midwest. "Unfortunately, the proposed model is based on
legislation that has only been adopted in two of the eighteen states
that have passed electronic recycling legislation to date.”
“Legislators
must realize that these devices are private property, and we can in no
way compel citizens to return obsolete products, let alone according to
some statutory schedule. Penalizing manufacturers for the actions or
inactions of others raises many legal and constitutional concerns. This
model is not supported by any technology manufacturer that falls within
scope of this legislation, nor was it when this legislation was
introduced last year,” continued Longanecker.
Many major
manufacturers already operate successful voluntary programs that meet or
exceed environmental requirements. Wisconsin's proposed legislation,
which includes mandatory requirements, combined with punitive penalties
for "under-performance," is an unsustainable model that will require
manufacturers to pass on inflated costs through the entire distribution
chain, where they are marked up at every stage and then passed along to
consumers. This approach reduces sales and costs jobs in normal economic
times, and will have an even more severe impact in the current economic
climate.
TechAmerica and Grant
Thornton Release
19th Annual Survey of
Federal CIOs
Information security
remains the greatest
challenge facing Federal
Chief Information
Officers, according to
the
19th Annual CIO Survey
released on February 24 by TechAmerica and Grant
Thornton LLP.
The survey reports
data from in-person
interviews with Federal
chief information
officers from civilian,
homeland security and
defense agencies in the
executive branch, as
well as key officials
from the White House
Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), the U.S.
Government
Accountability Office
(GAO), and the Congress.
The theme of this
year’s survey, Learning
from the Past,
Transitioning to the
Future, focuses on the
transition of the
federal government from
the Bush Administration
to the Obama
Administration.
Applications Now Being
Accepted for 2009 AeA/Stanford
Executive Institute -
Apply by April 3 and Save
$1000
Join high-tech executives from
around the world at the 2009
AeA/Stanford Executive
Institute, August 9-20.
During eleven intensive and
invigorating days on the
Stanford University campus,
attendees advance their
business and leadership
perspectives, explore
operational best practices,
and address critical
technology industry challenges
with colleagues and top
professors in high-tech
management.
With an accelerated
MBA-style format, renowned
business and engineering
faculty, and a technology
industry focus, the Institute
has assisted over 3,500
executives address the
pressures of fierce global
competition and rapid
innovation since 1975.
Apply online by April 3
and receive $1,000 off
tuition. In addition,
companies that send three or
more executives receive a team
discount of 5% per attendee.
To hold your company spots or
request more information,
visit
www.aeanet.org/stanford.
Since 1959, the Medal
of Achievement has been presented
annually to those individuals who have
made significant contributions
to the advancement of the high-tech
industry and for distinguished service
to the community, the industry, and
humankind. It is the highest award
presented by TechAmerica.
Paul S. Otellini,
President and CEO of Intel
Corporation, was awarded the 2008 recipient of
the Medal of Achievement on March 10.
He joined a
select group of high-tech leaders
who have received the honor,
including:
Chuck Geschke and
John Warnock of Adobe Systems
Thomas J. Engibous
of Texas Instruments Incorporated
William Hewlett and
David Packard of Hewlett-Packard
Ross Perot of
Electronic Data Systems
Thomas J. Watson,
Jr. of IBM
Gordon Moore and
Andrew Grove of Intel
For additional
information, please
contact
Colette Gonsalves at 408.987.4248.
High-tech
executives from Silicon Valley
network prior to the dinner
Chris Hansen,
CEO, TechAmerica; Paul Otellini,
President & CEO, Intel; and Tech
America Chairman Hank Steininger,
Managing Partner, Global Public
Sector, Grant Thornton LLP (L-R)
Tech America Chairman Hank
Steininger, Managing Partner,
Global Public Sector, Grant
Thornton LLP
160 attend TechAmerica's Orange County
Technology Business Showcase and Mixer in Aliso Viejo, CA on February 5.
Select companies that presented included Alvaka Networks, BitShield, CMS
Products, FDB Network, Jayco, Macrolink, MEMEO, NetGuru, Raptor
Networks, Saisoft, StacoSystems, and SYSPRO.
Members of the Norcross High School
FIRST Robotics Team participated in the 10th Annual High Tech Day
at the Capitol in Atlanta, GA on February 11.
TechAmerica Southwest hosts a program on
Enhancing
Liquidity with Innovative Solutions with speaker Lynn Tilton, CEO,
Patriarch Partners, on February 19 in Scottsdale, AZ. Pictured are
Chris Hansen, CEO, TechAmerica; Bill Hinz, Chairman of the
TechAmerica Southwest Council; Lynn Tilton; Jim Garnett, Executive
Director, TechAmerica Southwest (L-R).
TechAmerica partnered with the Illinois
Innovation Talent Project to convene a half-day forum focused on using
the NETS, related Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and leading
technology tools to transform the
21st
Century learning environment in Illinois schools on February 24 in
Springfield, IL. Pictured are students from the Lincoln Magnet
School who presented how they use technology in the classroom.
TechAmerica New England hosted an
Executive
Thought Leadership Forum on Demand Creation Strategies on February
25 in Waltham, MA. Participants engaged in an interactive discussion
centered on a Demand Creation Approach designed to help companies
identify net-new sales opportunities in a consistent and measurable way.
Special thanks to TechAmerica Member
FRONTLINE Selling for sponsoring this event. Read a Guest Article "Tough
Economy to Sell In – So What?" by company CEO Mike Scher.
On March 6, TechAmerica held a press
conference in Washington, DC, to discuss how the high-tech industry can
work to support President Obama's Economic Stimulus.
On March 9, TechAmerica hosted its
annual Beyond the Beltway conference at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons
Corner in McLean, VA. The event focused on state and local
government and included presentations by leading CIOs from around
the nation who are responsible for billions of IT spending.
Senior technology HR professionals joined
together on March 10 for TechAmerica Orange County's HR Roundtable
Workforce Management in a Distressed Economy: Guidance for the
Pro-Active Employer in Irvine, CA. Nixon Peabody’s Labor and Employment
attorney Dale Hudson presented creative strategies and tips aimed at
helping employers both manage and thrive during the current economic
downturn.
TechAmerica's Export Controls
Committee met in the Association's Washington, DC, office on March
11. Guest speakers included Charles Shotwell, Director,
Defense Trade Controls Policy, Bureau of Political-Military
Affairs, Dept. of State, and Matthew Borman, Acting Assistant
Secretary for Export Administration, Bureau of of Industry and
Security, Dept. of Commerce.
TechAmerica Washington partnered with the
MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest to hold a Greenomics:
Creating Profitable Businesses in a Clean & Green World Dinner on March
11 in Bellevue.
Monika Brenner, Chief, Valuation and
Special Programs Branch, Office of International Trade, Customs
and Border Protection, Dept. of Homeland Security, speaks at
TechAmerica's Customs Committee meeting on March 12 in Washington,
DC.
Olga Grkavac
Executive Vice President, Public Sector
P: 703.284.5311
F: 703.525.2279
Olga Grkavac is currently serving as the
Executive Vice President of the Public Sector Group of the TechAmerica. She has been the senior staff person
responsible for the Group since its creation twenty two years ago. In
addition, she is responsible for implementing the policies of the Public
Sector Board of Directors (subject to approval by the TechAmerica Board
of Directors) and oversees its four standing Committees: Federal
Marketing, Homeland Security, Procurement Policy, and Defense.
Ms. Grkavac is also responsible for
overseeing the State and Local Government Division including support for
the SLG Board of Directors and related committees. Ms. Grkavac
supervises a staff of seven. Prior to assuming her current position in
1987, she was Senior Vice President of Government Relations. Ms. Grkavac
was a Fed 100 winner in 1994, 1997 and 2001. In 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999,
2000, and 2002, she was a Fed 100 judge. Ms. Grkavac was awarded the
AFFIRM Industry Person of the Year in 2002.
Before joining ITAA, Ms. Grkavac spent
ten years on Capitol Hill as Legislative Director for various members of
the House of Representatives. Her last position prior to leaving the
Hill was as Legislative Director for Congressman Edward J. Markey
(D-MA), for whom she worked from 1977 to 1981.
Ms. Grkavac has a BA in political science
from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has a MA in
international relations and economics from the Johns Hopkins
University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She
studied in Bologna, Italy.
Ms. Grkavac was born in Italy, grew up in
Wisconsin, and now resides in Arlington, VA and Ocean City, MD.
TechAmerica is the leading voice for
the U.S. technology industry, which is the
driving force behind productivity
growth and jobs creation in the United
States and the foundation of the
global innovation economy.
Representing approximately 1,500
member companies of all sizes from the
public and commercial sectors of the
economy, it is the industry’s largest
advocacy organization and is dedicated
to helping members’ top and bottom
lines.
It is also the technology
industry's only grassroots-to-global
advocacy network, with offices in
state capitals around the United
States, Washington, D.C., Europe
(Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). TechAmerica was formed by the merger
of AeA (formerly the American
Electronics Association), the Cyber
Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the
Information Technology Association of
America (ITAA) and the Government
Electronics & Information Technology
Association (GEIA). Learn more at
www.aeanet.org or
www.itaa.org.
You
can find the office closest to you by
clicking
here or entering your zipcode
below.
For questions or information about
this newsletter,
please contact
Jason Langsner via email
or at 202.682.4458.
About AeA
) indicate exclusive features available to AeA Members.
On
March 10, TechAmerica announced opposition to Wisconsin's proposed
electronic recycling legislation as it puts forth unrealistic,
unnecessary, and unsustainable requirements on electronics
manufacturers. Currently, the proposed bill would require that
manufacturers recycle 80% of the products that were sold in the previous
calendar year or pay a fine. 
