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Mass. High Tech Council Update
March 16, 2009
Annual Meeting has Economic and Education Focus
Council Members Launch TalentConnect
Reflecting the focus on the economic and education issues detailed in our 2009 CEO Survey, this year's Annual Meeting held on March 3 featured a timely keynote address, election of a diverse and distinguished roster of directors and the launch of TalentConnect, a groundbreaking talent pipeline program.
Dr. Eric S. Rosengren, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, provided a frank and insightful projection of the 2009 economic forecast (visit www.mhtc.org for Boston Globe coverage). He detailed worsening labor markets and a shrinking economy, but also optimistically gave details of the Fed's role and ability to stimulate a turnaround and nimbly remove itself from the process when the recovery begins, which could occur in early 2010.
Dr. Rosengren also discussed the need to ensure the next generation of skilled technology workers, citing a recent study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston that highlighted the importance of internships and induction as key elements of an effective talent recruitment strategy (visit www.bos.frb.org to read the report titled The Future of the Skilled Labor Force in New England: The Supply of Recent College Graduates). These comments underscored the importance of the new Council-led program TalentConnect (visit www.mhtc.org for more information) that debuted publically at the meeting.
TalentConnect is a data-rich national infrastructure that connects high school students with colleges. Based on input and support from members, the Council announced the creation of the employer connection to this existing pipeline, allowing participating businesses to more effectively identify, track, contact and recruit the workforce of the future.
If you'd like to join the core team of university and technology leaders at the center of TalentConnect, please let us know (contact Wyndham Lewis: wyndham@mhtc.org). The Council is seeking partners to help share and participate in phase one of the TalentConnect program which begins in June.
2009 Board of Directors
The Council congratulates the following distinguished members who were unanimously elected as directors during our Annual Meeting on March 3:
Gideon Argov, Entegris, Inc.; Mark Aslett, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.; David M. Barrett, Lahey Clinic; John R. Bertucci, MKS Instruments, Inc.; Joshua Boger, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; James K. Boyer, Jr., KPMG LLP; Michael A. Bradley, Teradyne, Inc.; Marijn E. Dekkers, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; Gary DiCamillo, RADIA International; Paul Donovan, Boston Scientific Corporation; Kevin Dunn, Canaccord Adams Inc.; Paul R. Gauron, Goodwin Procter LLP; William P. Gelnaw, Jr., Choate Hall & Stewart LLP; Paul R. Gudonis, FIRST; Mark Hall, William George Associates, Ltd.; C. Richard Harrison, PTC; Steven Kaufman, Riverside Partners, LLC; Gloria Larson, Bentley University; David J. Laurello, Stratus Technologies, Inc.; Michael Lewis, BAE Systems; Martin Madaus, Millipore Corporation; Joseph Rappisi, Lockheed Martin Sippican, Inc.; James P. Regan, Dynamics Research Corporation; William J. Ribaudo, Deloitte Consulting LLP; Stephen H. Rusckowski, Philips Medical Systems; Rob Scott, HP ProCurve; James D. Shields, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.; Peter Simone, North Bridge Venture Partners; Ray Stata, Analog Devices, Inc.; Patrick J. Sullivan, Sovereign Bank; Frank Tempesta, Textron Systems; Mitch Tyson, Advanced Electron Beams.
The Council looks forward to harnessing the full engagement and active leadership of this board to achieve the ambitious education and economic platforms we have established (visit www.mhtc.org for more information on our education and economic platforms).
Obama Lauds Council-Led Initiatives in Education Address
In his first major education address, President Obama cast Massachusetts' MCAS success story as a national example of the positive outcomes of a public education system that focuses on standards and accountability. A commitment to these standards resulted in Massachusetts' 4th and 8th grade students strongly competing with the world's best in math and science, based on the results of the 2007 Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS), a program in which Council President Chris Anderson enrolled the state during his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Education. (Visit www.mhtc.org to view WCVB-TV Coverage).
The President's call for transforming the nation's education delivery system was very nearly a mirror of the Council's education strategy, developed in 2007 and presented to Governor Patrick during the first 50 days of his Administration, which includes calls for:
• Performance pay models for teachers;
• Longer school days and years;
• Strengthening state testing standards;
• Improving teacher access to relevant professional development.
The President also called for increasing the number of charter schools across the nation and establishing better student data tracking systems. One Washington Post columnist suggested the talk is tough, but the implementation game is really at the state and local level. We agree, and with the active support of Council members, are leading Massachusetts' most tangible next steps to transform our state education delivery system.
Council members can help enable the type of change the President called for immediately, by participating in TalentConnect and increasing the number of innovative public school options available to students.
Member Action Opportunity: Currently, the number of charter schools is capped in Massachusetts, particularly in the areas where they are most in demand. While we support lifting the cap, the teachers unions are in strong opposition. However, you can support a joint effort led by the Center for Collaborative Education to expand the number of pilot schools in Massachusetts this year. We have already received two-thirds of the $150,000 necessary to achieve our objective of establishing 2-3 new districts opening pilot schools by next fall. Please assist us in setting the example for the state to follow by supporting this effort with an additional $50,000 in support directed through our Fund for World Class Schools (for more information, visit www.mhtc.org).
Massachusetts' success was recognized by President Obama, and it is important to acknowledge that the seeds for this recognition are rooted in the 1993 Education Reform Act which established both MCAS and Charter Schools in Massachusetts. Now, our leadership is required to ensure Massachusetts remains the leader in preparing the STEM workforce of the future.
Council Testifies in Support of Senate Approach on Transportation
A crucial element of the Massachusetts High Technology Council's recently released 2009 Economic Strategy focused on reforming costly state systems including transportation (for more information, visit www.mhtc.org). Our comprehensive economic reform plan calls for "action on proposals that transform major state systems in ways that yield sustainable efficiencies in costs and service, including transportation, healthcare and pension funding."
Fortunately, the state Senate has filed legislation that can be a model for reform of these major state systems. On March 12, Council President Chris Anderson testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation (to view Mass. High Tech Council's correspondence to Legislature visit www.mhtc.org) in support of the key elements of the Senate transportation system proposal.
The Senate MassTrans proposal requires meaningful and serious reform that disallows further investment in a broken system. The proposal establishes better conditions for operational efficiency, and includes healthcare and pension reform as key elements that result in quantifiable cost savings. Achieving these reforms requires a willingness to challenge the status quo and placing restructuring and reform ahead of revenue generation proposals.
Taking the politics out of a critical public infrastructure is also necessary. Massport is an example that MassTrans should follow. The fundamental reform of Massport's governance and operations post 9/11 provides a turnaround model for quasi-public agencies. Professionalizing governance, focusing on core mission and depoliticizing decision making has transformed that agency and it now possesses the AA bond rating earned by only a small group of the nation's best run authorities.
The Gas Tax Debate: Governor Patrick has proposed a 19-cent increase in the state gas tax. Certain business groups led by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Mass. Business Roundtable proclaimed support for a 25-cent increase in the gas tax. Advocating for a gas tax hike, whether it is 19 or 25 cents, before the extent of reforms and form of governance has been determined by the Legislature threatens the likelihood of achieving transformative reform. On this one, we're with Senate President Murray. The stakes are too high to ballpark any potential increase in any tax that Massachusetts' businesses and residents will continue to pay in perpetuity.
Council "Tweets"
Become a "follower" of short, specific High Tech Council-related Twitter updates. To start receiving messages from Council President Chris Anderson, visit our profile page http://twitter.com/hightechcouncil and click "follow" or send a text message to Twitter with the words "follow hightechcouncil" from your phone. You'll get messages from us as soon as we post an update, and you can stop following anyone at anytime.
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