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Mass. High Tech Council Update
October 28, 2009
High Tech Council's New Address
The Massachusetts High Technology Council will relocate to Reservoir Woods at 850 Winter Street, Waltham on November 2, 2009. Our new location is 26% larger and puts us in the center of a vibrant tech and venture community in the Winter Street area. The move is our fifth in our 33-year history. Our phone and electronic contact info remains the same. More details will follow the completion of our move.
Council, DTI Help Launch Hanscom Science & Tech Board
The Council and the Defense Technology Initiative (DTI) have worked closely with Hanscom Air Force Base Commander, Lieutenant General Ted Bowlds, to create the Hanscom Air Force Base Electronic Systems and Software Science and Technology Board (STB), which will connect the region's industry, university and military assets to enhance cooperation between Hanscom's Electronic Systems Center (ESC) and New England's premier defense technology cluster.
The public-private STB, which held its inaugural meeting on October 15, will provide strategic guidance to ESC on issues of workforce development, technology transfer and streamlined procurement. The STB will also promote the important work of the ESC, especially among government leaders, potential employees and non-traditional technology firms that may have interest in partnering with the ESC. The STB is chaired by Dynamics Research Chairman, President and CEO James Regan, who is a DTI director and is incoming chairman for the Council.
For more details on the STB and a full list of board members, please click here.
DTI's Quenneville Talks Up Region's Defense Tech in Boston Globe
The October 20 Boston Globe front page business section story on the strength of the region's technology-focused defense cluster featured comments from DTI Executive Director Donald Quenneville (Brig. Gen., USAF (Ret.)). The story highlighted activities at MILCOM 2009, the largest international conference on military communications which took place in Boston this month and featured exhibits from 27 Massachusetts-based companies. MILCOM was hosted by DTI members General Dynamics C4 Systems and the MITRE Corporation.
In the story, Quenneville discussed the important work of New England defense firms as well as the significant contribution of Hanscom and the Natick Soldier Systems Center to the local economy and the mission of the U.S. military.
Council, DTI Support Operation Tribute
As the Holiday Season draws near, the Council and DTI are working with the non-profit charitable organization Operation Tribute to provide recognition for the enormous contributions of military families throughout the northeast. Founded in Maine in 2007, Operation Tribute provides holiday gifts to the children of active military families, regardless of need, as a thank you for the sacrifices they make with their fathers and mothers deployed overseas. Last year, Operation Tribute sent out 23,000 gifts to military families across New England and New York.
We encourage all DTI and MHTC members and employees to provide financial support for this worthy organization by contributing to Operation Tribute today. Please visit the Operation Tribute website to donate or for more information.
Council Education Efforts Take Shape
The Council has been working closely with education reform partners to push for legislation, filed by Governor Patrick, to expand charter public schools in the lowest performing districts and provide tools and resources to turn-around failing schools. The Council has joined with longtime partners The Boston Foundation and Mass Insight as well as activist groups like Stand for Children and Black Leaders forEducation to create The Race to the Top Coalition, a broad coalition working to "support education innovation, seek passage of reform legislation in the state and secure the Commonwealth's share of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top funding." Earlier today, the Council sent members a more detailed update on this initiative with a request to contact your local legislators to support the Coalition's efforts that enable the Commonwealth to Race to the Top. Contacting your legislators is easy by following the steps on the Race to the Top website, www.racetothetopcoalition.org.
The Council is also working on a parallel track to support a 2010 ballot question that would eliminate the charter public school cap entirely. The ballot question is designed to exert pressure on the Legislature to pass real reform this year to help students trapped in failing schools and help Massachusetts land its share of Race to the Top Funds, which could top $300 million. The federal funding is critical to a public education system that will continue to experience significant cuts on the state and local level.
In addition, the ballot question serves as a backup plan if the Legislature fails to act on real reform legislation this year. If the Legislature approves the Governor's proposals, the Council and other backers of the ballot question, will drop the campaign and immediately begin working on implementing the reforms that will deliver hope and opportunity to students and teachers across the Commonwealth.
The ballot question campaign recently met the first deadline for collecting voter signatures to advance through the process to secure a place on the ballot, as reported by this October 16 Boston Herald editorial.
Beacon Hill Veteran Mant Joins Council on Education Effort
In an effort to maximize the Council's impact on this historic education debate, the Council has brought aboard Joshua Mant, a former top aide to Senate President Therese Murray, as a Special Projects Director. Josh will work directly with Council President Chris Anderson on outreach to Beacon Hill leaders to urge the passage of education reform legislation and to support the Council's participation in the Race to the Top Coalition.
Josh will also help coordinate the Council's MassTrack Technology Caucus meetings, which bring together legislators and member CEOs at tech employers throughout the region. Josh served most recently as Southeast Regional Director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Please join us in welcoming Josh to the Council team.
Pfizer's MAINTAIN Program Provides Unemployed Workers Free Prescription Drugs
In recognition of the challenges facing the nation from the recession, Council member Pfizer has launched a program to provide free prescription drugs to unemployed workers and their families. The Pfizer MAINTAIN Program (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are In Need) provides free Pfizer medicines to qualified patients, delivered right to their home. This newly created program can help eligible patients who have recently become unemployed and are currently uninsured continue receiving their Pfizer medicines.
For more information on MAINTAIN and other programs that can help with prescription drug access please call 866-706-2400 or visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.
Upcoming Events
November 11, 2009 - The Education of An American Dreamer, an event honoring noted business leader and philanthropist Peter C. Peterson. The event is hosted by the American Academy for Artsand Sciences and features an introduction by Boston Scientific Founder and former Council Director Pete Nicholas. Program starts at 5:30 p.m. 136 Irving Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Click here to register.
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