Justin Wright to Lead AeA’s Public Policy Efforts in Northeast Region

Washington, DC (March 5, 2008) – One day after appointing Roxanne Gould to lead AeA’s state government affairs efforts, Christopher Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO, named six regional policy directors to support member companies in State Capitols across the country. Justin Wright, who is based in AeA’s Albany, New York office, was chosen to lead public policy efforts on issues in the northeast region (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

“To assure consistency and effectiveness in providing our members with a greater presence across the country, I have assigned staff to focus on specific policy areas that our members have established as top priorities for the high-tech industry,” said Christopher Hansen. “This new structure will streamline the communication process and enable quick and efficient action on state policy matters.”

Justin Wright will remain Executive Director for AeA's New York Council, in addition to managing AeA's expanded state legislative initiatives. In this position, he works closely with high-tech companies throughout the state to stimulate innovation, increase business opportunities, reduce operating costs and optimize their operations.

Prior to joining AeA, Wright worked for the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce where he served as Director of Economic Development from 2002 - 2005. In that position, he implemented the New York Tech Valley Initiative, a regional economic development strategy aimed at the attraction and retention of technology companies into eighteen eastern New York counties.

Wright received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Buffalo State, and also studied abroad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Each of the six regional policy directors will be responsible for tracking overall state legislative activity in their respective regions. The other regional policy directors are:

• California - Joe Gregorich (Sacramento, CA)
• Midwest - Ed Longanecker (Oakbrook Terrace, IL)
• Northeast – Justin Wright (Albany, NY)
• Southeast - Ben Aderson (Washington, DC)
• Southern - Jeff Clark (Austin, TX)

For more information about AeA’s State Government Affairs program, and to see a detailed map for each region, please visit www.aeanet.org/SGAmap.

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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 03/05/08.