AeA Appoints Alvaka Networks’ Kevin McDonald Statewide Chair of California District Legislative Committee

Washington, DC (February 27, 2008) – At a board meeting held last week in Palm Springs, Christopher Hansen announced the appointment of Kevin McDonald, Alvaka Networks’ Executive Vice President, as Statewide Chair of AeA’s California District Legislative Committees. The expansion is consistent with a recent AeA announcement that the Association will significantly increase efforts in state public policy, and further leverage the 18 regional offices to accelerate the effectiveness of state lobbying and grassroots efforts.

“Since Kevin McDonald became Chairman of the Orange County and Inland Empire Government Affairs Committee in 2006, he has maintained an intense and sustained effort with clarity of vision and purpose,” said Christopher Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO. “Because we are building on his success, Kevin was the natural choice to lead the program.”

“Kevin’s appointment further solidifies the state-wide effort to foster consistent understanding and interaction between the high-tech industry and elected officials,” said Roxanne Gould, AeA’s SVP of Public Policy for California. “The expansion of this program is yet another example of how Mr. Hansen is quickly bringing AeA back to its core values of positively influencing public policy and representing the collective voice and power of all AeA members in California and around the country.”

AeA manages district technology leadership committees comprised of executives from all segments of business and education with a stake in the health and welfare of the high-tech industry. They are recruited for their specific positions, knowledge and expertise.

“There is no organization better positioned to lead state public policy on a national basis than AeA,” said Kevin McDonald. “This effort is reaping big returns for members, and creating an overall air of mutual commitment to the future of California.”

The program is welcomed by legislators from both parties as well.

Jose Solorio, California Democratic Assemblyman and Public Safety Chairman said, “The AeA technology committee has helped me to better understand this critical part of our economy. Innovation and advanced technology are vital ingredients in our economic recovery and we must support the fostering of both.”

Senator Tom Harman, a Republican from the 35th district said, “The committees that AeA is developing under Kevin McDonald’s leadership are a powerful and effective way to interact with the economically vital technology community. Not only informative, they are effectively working to find solutions to highly complex problems.”

AeA has an especially strong presence in California with offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, and Silicon Valley. For more information about AeA’s state government affairs program, please visit www.aeanet.org/sga.


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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 03/04/08.