The AeA Board of Directors consist of between 40 and 100 Member company individuals.  While many of the Members are appointed at-large on the local level, each regional office also elects a representative from their Council.  Meeting three times a year in various sites across the country, the AeA Board is a leader in the Association's success and direction.  

For information on how to join the Board of Directors please contact your local council.

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National Government Affairs Committee

The AeA National Government Affairs Committee is an advisory committee to the Board.  It helps to coordinate and synchronize AeA's worldwide public policy resources to maximize the effectiveness of AeA's efforts on global legislative and regulatory issues which are of greatest concern to high-tech companies at the international, federal and state levels.

Specifically, the committee:

• Examines in detail issues related to AeA public policy priorities.

• Advises and assist the Board in identifying emerging trends and issues of greatest urgency to the high-tech industry and propose methods to best address those issues.

• Evaluates and recommend to the Board alternative strategies and plans, once they have been agreed upon by the Board in concert with AeA's public policy resources.

• Promotes public and government understanding and awareness of the AeA and its programs.

For more information, contact John Palafoutas, AeA Senior Vice President Domestic Policy & Congressional Affairs at Tel: 202.682.4451 or John_Palafoutas@aeanet.org.

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AeA National E-Commerce Committee

The AeA National E-Commerce Committee works with U.S. Congressional legislatures to ensure that online consumer issues are addressed in a full and thorough manner. Issues include Online Privacy, Online Child Safety, Spam, Spyware, Database Breach legislation, Phishing, and Pharming.

For more information, contact Ed Longanecker at Tel: 630.613.7174 or ed_longanecker@aeanet.org.

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Education Committee

The AeA Education Committee is comprised of the high-tech leaders of AeA's member companies and focuses on federal education legislative and regulatory matters.

A highly educated workforce is critical to ensuring the continued competitiveness of American high-tech companies. Unfortunately, our nation’s education system is falling short in preparing students in mathematics and science. For example:

• In the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS), American 12^th graders rank near the bottom of international math and science testing scores.
• The number of American students graduating with electrical engineering, mathematics, engineering technology and physics degrees has decreased every year since 1985.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that four of the top five employment growth fields will require a bachelor’s degree in technical studies such as mathematics or computer science.

Unless our nation’s K-12 math and science education improves, many current students will be unable to take advantage of the high paying jobs created by the high-tech industry.

To address this problem, AeA is working to increase funding to programs that can improve math and science achievement in grades K-12. One program – the Math/Science Partnership – gives AeA members the ability to work in their local school districts to improve math and science achievement. AeA is leading the high-tech industry’s efforts to increase funding for this important program.

For more information, contact Jim Craven at Tel: 503.624.6050 or jim_craven@aeanet.org.

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Human Resources /  Workforce Committee

The AeA Human Resources / Workforce / Education Committee is comprised of the Human Resources professionals and high-tech leaders of AeA's member companies and focuses on federal HR legislative and regulatory matters.

AeA supports HR proposals that help high-tech employees and their companies by:

• Ensuring that the high-tech industry has sufficient numbers of qualified workers
• Lobbying against blacklisting regulations
• Supporting an ergonomics standard based on sound science

For more information, contact John Palafoutas, Senior Vice President, Domestic Policy, at Tel: 202.682.451 or john_palafoutas@aeanet.org.

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Marketing for Business (M4B) Steering Committee

The AeA Marketing for Business Steering committee gives our members the opportunity to guide the programs, events, strategy and partners that the association develops to help our members win more business and give them exclusive opportunities to network with key prospects, clients and partners.

For more information, contact Goldy Kamali, Director, Federal Government Markets Group, at Tel: 202.682.4432 or Goldy_Kamali@aeanet.org.

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RFID Committee

The AeA RFID Committee helps AeA member companies keep on top of important RFID related policy issues both federally and in the states.  In addition, the RFID Committee helps steer important events that keep Congress, the Administration, State Legislators, and industry abreast of new RFID developments.

A subcommittee also focuses exclusively on RFID legislative and regulatory issues in the State of California.

For more information, contact Ben Aderson, Manager, Tech Policy & State Government Affairs/Counsel, at Tel: 202.682.4428 or benjamin_aderson@aeanet.org.

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Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 National Steering Committee

In response to member concerns, AeA's grassroots initiative in all 18 councils acts to help modify Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).  Each of the council committees selected one person to serve on a national steering committee.

For more information, contact Marie Lee, AeA Counsel, Tax Policy at Tel: 202.682.4448 or Marie_Lee@aeanet.org.

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Tax Committee

The AeA Tax Committee is comprised of the tax professionals of AeA's member companies and focuses on federal tax legislative and regulatory matters.

AeA supports tax proposals that help high-tech employees and their companies by:

• Attracting and retaining a qualified workforce
• Increasing access to capital· Increasing access to markets

For more information, contact Marie Lee, AeA Counsel, Tax Policy at Tel: 202.682.4448 or Marie_Lee@aeanet.org.

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In addition to being the leading technology industry lobbying organization in Washington D.C., AeA also has a presence across the country through its 18 council offices.  No other technology trade association has this reach to get you involved in issues at the local level, where many policy issues are emerging today.  For more information on AeA's State Policy Action Network (SPAN) contact Ben Aderson, Manager, Tech Policy & State Government Affairs/Counsel, at Tel: 202.682.4428 or benjamin_aderson@aeanet.org.

California State Government Affairs Committee (SGAC)

AeA's California SGAC is a state-specific government affairs committee that governs AeA's public policy action in California. The committee is responsible for taking positions on California legislation and creating strategies to support these positions. The committee meets monthly and is made up of member company representatives from all over California and the nation. 

For more information, contact Roxanne Gould, Senior Vice President, California State and Legislative Public Affairs, at Tel: 916.443.9059 x101 or Roxanne_Gould@aeanet.org.

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California State Tax/Fiscal Policy Committee

AeA's California State Tax/Fiscal Policy Committee is a state-specific government affairs committee that tracks related issues in the state legislature and administration.  The committee creates strategies and advises AeA Sacramento's efforts dealing with all tax and fiscal policy.

For more information, contact Joseph Gregorich, Policy Director, California Government Affairs, at Tel: 916.443.9059 x107 or Joseph_Gregorich@aeanet.org.

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Florida State Education Coalition

AeA's Florida State Education Coalition consists of AeA member company executives dedicated to advancing the implementation of 21st century learning skills within the State of Florida's education system.  Committee members are accepted by invitation only.

For more information, contact Maryann Fiala, Executive Director, AeA Florida Council, at Tel: 407.882.2425 or Maryann_Fiala@aeanet.org.

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Florida State Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee of the AeA Florida Council is the focal point for all interaction with the state government and the Florida legislature.  This committee is responsible for building the legislative agenda for the AeA Florida Council.  The Government Affairs Committee meetings are called on an as needed basis.

For more information, contact Maryann Fiala, Executive Director, AeA Florida Council, at Tel: 407.882.2425 or Maryann_Fiala@aeanet.org.

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Georgia Technology Leadership Coalition Committee

The Technology Leadership Coalition (TLC) is a governmental affairs organization whose mission is to relate the interests and concerns of technology companies to Georgia lawmakers.  It's members have a simple goal: to consolidate and extend the state's competitive advantages in an information-based economy through the adoption of sound public policy.

For more information, contact Glen Whitley, Executive Director, AeA Southeast Council, at Tel: 678.352.9469 or glen_whitley@aeanet.org.

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Midwest Policy Committee

AeA's Midwest Policy Committee was formed in early 2005 and focuses on educating both our members and our area legislators on the potential outcomes of legislative movements.

The committee works diligently to help shape public policy in the Midwest region, to enhance a healthy business climate for the high-tech industry and to raise the visibility of AeA and its member companies.  Key legislative issues include: Environmental/EWaste, Tax, Privacy/Security, Homeland Security, Broadband, State Government Procurement, Outsourcing, and Economic Development.

For more information, contact Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, AeA Midwest Council, at Tel: 678.352.9469 or Ed_Longanecker@aeanet.org.

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Mountain States Strategic Education Advisory Committee

AeA's Mountain States Education Committee focuses on science, technology, education, and math (STEM) initiatives that will help the Rocky Mountain Region's high-tech market to engage youth in these areas - early on - and ultimately point them towards a career in high-tech. Help shape the future of opportunities for our children and get involved in our Education Committee.

For more information, contact Benjamin Aderson, at Tel: 303.438.0571 or jessica_wright@aeanet.org.

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Mountain States Public Policy Committee

AeA's Mountain States Public Policy Committee advocates on issues that are critical to the high-tech industry in Colorado and Utah to ensure that our companies can remain competitive in the global market place.

For more information, contact Ben Aderson, Manager, Tech Policy & State Government Affairs/Counsel, at Tel: 202.682.4428 or benjamin_aderson@aeanet.org.

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AeA Federal and State E-Commerce Committee

The AeA Federal and State E-Commerce Committee works with state legislatures to ensure that online consumer issues are addressed in a full and thorough manner. Issues include Online Privacy, Spam, Spyware, Database Breach legislation, Phishing, and Pharming.

For more information, contact Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, AeA Midwest Council, at Tel: 678.352.9469 or Ed_Longanecker@aeanet.org.

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AeA Federal and State Environment Committee

The AeA Federal and State Environment Committee works with state legislatures to ensure responsible solutions to the problem of electronic waste are addressed. 

For more information, contact Joe Gregorich, Policy Director at Tel: 916.443.9059 x107 or joseph_gregorich@aeanet.org.

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New England Government Affairs Committee

AeA's New England Government Affairs Committee advocates on issues that are critical to the high-tech industry in Massachusetts.  The committee also follows public policy issues affecting AeA's high-tech companies in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

For more information, contact Anne Doherty Johnson, Executive Director, AeA New England Council, at Tel: 781.938.1925 x105 or anne_doherty_johnson@aeanet.org.

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New Jersey-Pennsylvania Government Affairs Committee

AeA's New Jersey-Pennsylvania Government Affairs Committee meets monthly with a telephone conference call to monitor New Jersey and Pennsylvania legislation and make recommendations whether to support or oppose specific issues.  It also recommends new legislation and assists in it’s creation.  This committee also hosts meetings with legislators and key government officials.

For more information, contact Linda Klose, Executive Director, AeA New Jersey-Pennsylvania Council, at Tel: 781.938.1925 x105 or linda_klose@aeanet.org.

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New York Government Affairs Committee

AeA's New York Government Affairs Committee advocates on issues that are critical to the high-tech industry in New York State and New York City.

For more information, contact Justin Wright, Executive Director, AeA New York Council, at Tel: 518.437.8820 or justin_wright@aeanet.org.

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Oregon State Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee works with Oregon AeA member companies to create a public policy agenda; communicate that agenda effectively to member companies, legislators, other elected officials, executive branch agencies, the Governor's office, and other business associations; and accomplish the various aspects of that agenda.

For more information, contact Jim Craven, Public and Legislative Affairs Director, AeA Oregon Council, at Tel: 503.624.6050 or jim_craven@aeanet.org.

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State Government Affairs (SGA)

The AeA State Government Afairs (SGA) is a semi-annual meeting of high-tech state government affairs professionals from across the nation that gather to share the latest news from state legislative sessions and to strategize for the future.  Members discuss important issues surrounding high tech at the state level and how to focus AeA's State Government Affairs program to address their legislative needs.

For more information, contact Roxanne Gould, Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs, at Tel: 916.443.9059 or roxanne_gould@aeanet.org.

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Texas Public Policy Committee

For 15 years, the AeA Texas public policy committee has advocated for public policy issues on behalf of the technology industry.  From state tax policy, to state regulations, to education and workforce development policies, AeA Texas has a track record of successfully strengthening the position of Texas and U.S. high-tech companies through public policy advocacy. 

Subcommittees within the public policy committee include Broadband, Tax, and Workforce.

For more information, contact Jeffery Clark, Director, Public and Legislative Affairs, at Tel: 512.474.4403 or jeffrey_clark@aeanet.org.

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Washington State Education Committee

The AeA Washington State Education Committee consists of AeA member company executives dedicated to advancing the implementation of 21st century learning skills within the State of Washington's education system..

For more information, contact Terry Byington, Executive Director, AeA Washington Council, at Tel: 425.775.6168 or Terry_Byington@aeanet.org.

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Washington State Government Affairs Committee

The Charter of the Government Affairs Committee is to shape public policy in Washington state in such a way as to enhance the business climate for all members of AeA.

For more information, contact Nancy Atwood, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, AeA Washington Council, at Tel: 425.775.6168 or nancy_atwood@aeanet.org.

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All 17 Councils of the AeA grassroots network maintain local committees and working groups.  Many councils offer Business Development, CEO, CFO, Engineering, HR, and more.  To learn more about the committees offered in your council contact the local office or find your local council and get involved!

For more information on AeA's Government Affairs Committees contact Israel Shamir at 202.682.4455.  Or for more information on AeA's member companies please contact AeA's Database Department or call 1.800.284.4232 x 279.

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This page was last updated on 05/20/08.  
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