AeA considers opposing Measures 41 and 48

AeA announces new alliance with UnitedHealthcare

Big year of local events is shaping up

Limited event sponsorships still available

AeA offers new technology capital conference

Welcome New Members

Thanks to renewing members

 

Events

Oregon Team

Governor’s race heats up;
candidates meet with AeA

A lively race for Governor in Oregon continues to heat up as incumbent Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski tries to hang on against spirited Republican challenger Ron Saxton, an attorney with the Ater Wynne law firm in Portland.

The office of Governor can have profound impacts on the business community in Oregon in the areas of recruiting and retaining companies, forming corporate tax policies, overseeing regulatory agencies, and setting a tone for the overall economy.

The two leading candidates are meeting with AeA and SAO members in two separate gatherings, both at ESI in Beaverton:  Ted Kulongoski (Wednesday, September 20, 4:30 to 6 p.m.) and Ron Saxton (Wednesday, September 27, 3:30 to 5 p.m.). If you haven’t yet signed up for these events and wish to attend, contact the AeA office immediately at 503-624-6050 or register at the links below.

Meet Governor Kulongoski

Meet Candidate Ron Saxton


AeA considers opposing Measures 41 and 48

The AeA Oregon Council executive committee on September 14 unanimously recommended that AeA publicly oppose ballot measures 41 and 48 before voters in November. Measure 41 is an income tax cut that takes $800 million out of the state budget in 2007-09. Measure 48 is a Colorado TABOR state spending limit that will limit state spending by more than $2 billion in 2007-09. Colorado voters recently suspended their limit after seeing its devastating impacts over 13 years.

The Executive Committee believes that Oregon needs fiscal discipline in state government and needs fundamental changes to the Oregon tax system. But these measures are poorly crafted, will create chaos in state budgeting, and will negatively impact investments in higher education, K-12 schools, and other important priorities. A broad coalition of business groups, education supporters, and advocates for social services is forming to defeat these measures.

An action alert went out this week to member executives regarding AeA’s recommended position. If you have comments on these measures and AeA’s position, please contact Jim Craven, council director of legislative affairs, at jim_craven@aeanet.org.

AeA announces new alliance with UnitedHealthcare

Effective September 19, AeA launched its alliance with UnitedHealthcare as its preferred national health care insurer offering to underwrite benefits coverage for participating AeA member companies. AeA listened carefully to what its members asked for in an employee benefits program. We heard repeatedly that high-tech companies are concerned about the cost of health care in this global competitive environment.

With UnitedHealthcare, companies will get an extensive network of doctors and hospitals, wellness programs, tools to help individuals navigate the health care system, fast and simple reimbursements, and measured outcomes of health care programs and expenditures.

The new alliance will offer special programs offered exclusively to AeA member companies and affordable pricing and cost savings.

For more information, please visit the AeA website. In addition, interested companies may contact Jennifer Bosze, Oregon Council executive director, at jennifer_bosze@aeanet.org or by calling 503-624-6050.


Big year of local events is shaping up

The AeA Oregon Council will once again host an extensive slate of local networking events during the council’s new fiscal year, which begins October 1. Four groups will hold evening dinner forums: CEO, CFO, HR Managers, and CTOs. In addition to these exclusive gatherings, our hard-working committees are crafting a varied calendar of events in the areas of finance, emerging business, human resources, and technology/IP. A total of 32 events is set between October 2006 and June 2007.

Many of the events are already posted on the Oregon Council website calendar. You might consider bookmarking this link and checking back throughout the year for further information as it becomes available.


Limited event sponsorships still available

A big thanks to all of our local supporters who have already signed up to sponsor Oregon Council events throughout the year. A few limited sponsorship opportunities are still available, including a CTO Forum on November 14, a Technology and IP Roundtable on December 5, and an HR Forum on February 6.

Visit the AeA website for complete Sponsorship Opportunity Details or contact Kari Naone to discuss these opportunities.


AeA offers new technology capital conference

New for 2006, AeA is offering the AeA Technology Capital Conference this October for middle-market private companies seeking funding, financing alternatives, or opportunities for mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or enhanced visibility. The AeA Technology Capital Conference will bring together private investors, finance professionals, investment bankers, and top executives from growth-oriented, privately-held high-tech companies with revenues from $5 to $75 million. The event will take place October 11-12 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriot Resort and Spa in Orange County, California.

Click here for more information


Welcome New Members

Sunstone Circuits

Tatum, LLC


Thanks to renewing members

Ater Wynne LLP
Cascade Microtech, Inc.
Chernoff, Vilhauer
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Digimarc Corporation
Enpria, Inc.
ESI, Inc.
FEI Company
First Technology Credit Union
FLIR Systems, Inc.
ImTech, Inc.
KPMG LLP
Lane Powell PC
Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
OGI School of Science and Engineering
OnCourse Group, Inc.
Oregon State University
Planar Systems, Inc.
Stoel Rives LLP
Timbercon, Inc.