MHTA promotes the growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Minnesota's technology-based economy through advocacy, collaboration and education. It does this by advocating for favorable policies, educating leaders through programs like the ACE Leadership Program and CEO briefings, and facilitating collaboration through events like the annual golf outing and spring conference. MHTA represents technology companies in Minnesota at the state capitol and works with partners in education and government to support STEM education and the technology workforce.
2. MHTA Vision:
To make Minnesota a world leader
for technology-based industry
ADVOCATE
Develop favorable
public policy environment
• Policy Positions/Initiatives
• Legislative Involvement
• Media Voice
MHTA promotes the growth,
sustainability and global
competitiveness of
Minnesota’s technology-based
economy through
EDUCATE advocacy, collaboration COLLABORATE
Build executive and education. Galvanize communities
knowledge base, of interest, partnerships
community awareness and technology transfer
and future workforce • Minnesota Tekne Awards
• CIO Panels & CIO Forums • Spring Conference
• CEO Briefings • TechAmerica Membership
• ACE Leadership Program • CEO Roundtables
• STEM Workforce Initiatives • Golf & Member
Networking Events
Minnesota High Tech Association Want to stay up-to-date with events, issues, news and learn more about MHTA?
2470 Highcrest Road, Suite 100 Subscribe online to the E-nnouncement, MHTA’s weekly electronic newsletter,
Roseville, MN 55113 or contact Jerome Harrison at jharrison@mhta.org or 952-230-4557.
Phone: 952-230-4555 Interested in learning more about MHTA and sponsorship opportunities?
Fax: 952-230-4550 Contact Jennifer Manogue at jmanogue@mhta.org or 952-230-4552.
Email: info@mhta.org
Visit us at www.mhta.org
Connect with MHTA and getSTEM Social Media
3. Dear Friends,
We all know Minnesota – along with the rest of the world – has faced tough economic
times this past year. MHTA, like many of our state’s technology businesses, is creating
opportunities from these challenging times. In 2010 we are thrilled to be working with
you all, as together we forge a New Way Forward.
This past year was a breakout year for the association, as it turned out. In partnership
with the Minnesota Department of Education, we launched getSTEM-mn.com, a first in
the nation web portal that utilizes web 2.0 technology to connect educators with
business leaders. Hundreds of connections between K12 STEM educators, who “Just
Ask,” and technology leaders who “Just Offer,” have already been facilitated through
getSTEM – impacting thousands of students. We encourage you to visit the site, create
an account, and help Minnesota students by offering your time, resources and materials.
We sharpened our focus to create a thriving technology ecosystem by engaging policy
leaders at the highest levels of government. In these pages you’ll read about the
landmark reforms proposed by the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission,
the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force and the Science & Technology
Economic Development Project Committee – all of which had strong MHTA
representation and involvement, and promise to have an even stronger impact on
shaping our technology economy.
As we enter the second decade of the 21st Century it is time to examine the
assumptions and approaches that are fundamental to the success of our technology
industries. We look forward to continuing our work with you all to do just that.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to MHTA. Working together we
can strengthen and grow with the knowledge that the future is bright for Minnesota
innovation and job creation.
Sincerely,
Kate Rubin Joy Lindsay
President, MHTA President, StarTec Investments
Chair, MHTA Board of Directors
4. MHTA develops and advocates for policies that promote the long-term growth and global
competitiveness of Minnesota’s technology-based economy.
MHTA believes that strong, consistent, focused leadership from the private sector, working in collaboration
with educational and government partners, is the critical link in driving our state’s economic development and
recognition as a global technology leader. MHTA advocates for policies that recognize the changing face of
Minnesota’s workforce and the global realities of commerce in the 21st century. The future workforce will be
more diverse, and will need to be more educated and more technologically skilled. State and federal policies
and practices must support global commerce.
Creating a business
advocate
ecosystem that fosters
growth in the state’s
technology industries Public Policy Highlights:
doesn’t happen by
chance. It requires • MHTA is the trusted voice for technology industries at the State Capitol. MHTA drove efforts
groups like MHTA who to coordinate science and technology legislative efforts resulting in the Legislature’s creation
are at the table ensuring of the Science & Technology Economic Development Project Committee. The committee,
that the concerns of
which includes four MHTA board members, recommended creation of a major science and
technology businesses
technology initiative in the state.
are heard at the highest
levels of government.
• MHTA is leading efforts to create a tax code that rewards innovation. Efforts to create an
Pat Ryan
Vice President of R&D angel tax credit, expand the R&D tax credit, create an upfront sales tax exemption on the
Seagate purchase of capital equipment and other tax reforms are building momentum at the State Capitol.
• MHTA will continue to educate members on critical public policies by utilizing both traditional
and new media, as well as targeted events. This past year MHTA held informative and widely
I want to extend our
attended events focused on the economic stimulus act, broadband, tax commission, R&D tax
sincere thanks for
credit and Science & Technology Economic Development Project Committee.
inviting us to the
event today, and for
introducing us to
• Aneesh Chopra, the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States, spoke before a packed
Aneesh Chopra. house at an event MHTA organized with The Indus Entrepreneurs-Minnesota (TiE). The following
MHTA clearly has our day Mr. Chopra participated in a Health IT Summit coordinated by MHTA, the State of Minnesota
best interests in mind Office of Enterprise Technology and hosted by UnitedHealth Group.
and I’m delighted that
we decided to join. • MHTA engaged policymakers at the highest level of government by taking leadership roles
Mike Connly
on the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission, the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed
Chief Technology Officer Broadband Task Force and the Science & Technology Economic Development Project Committee.
UnitedHealth Group
All groups had strong MHTA representation and involvement, and promise to have an even
stronger impact on shaping our technology economy. View the recommendations from these
reports at www.mhta.org.
• Kate Rubin, MHTA president, is a member of the Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership Board that
evaluates grant applications for training programs and makes grant awards to businesses and
educational institutions that partner on these programs. In addition, the board provides training
and services to laid-off workers who meet specific eligibility requirements.
4 2010 ANNUAL MEMBER UPDATE
5. Media Relations & Communications
MHTA is the voice for technology industries in Minnesota. Highlights include:
• An ongoing partnership with MinnesotaBusiness magazine that resulted in columns on topics
ranging from international trade and technology convergence to virtual offices and security.
• The recent launch of monthly columns in Finance & Commerce on key MHTA priority items.
• A strong social media presence, including LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook & YouTube.
• A record number of subscribers to MHTA’s weekly e-newsletter, the E-nnouncement.
Member companies can include press releases as well as upcoming events by sending them
to news@mhta.org.
STEM* Education (*Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• getSTEM: The getSTEM web portal, launched in early 2009, enables educators and businesses
to connect and collaborate, and to match STEM needs with STEM resources. The first in the
nation portal, found at www.getSTEM-mn.com, is an outstanding public/private partnership
made possible by MHTA, the MN Department of Education, Thomson Reuters, 3M, Microsoft,
Inetium and Ecolab. Hundreds of connections between K12 STEM educators` who “Just Ask,”
and technology leaders who “Just Offer,” have already been facilitated through getSTEM –
impacting thousands of students. Visit the site, create an account, and help Minnesota students
by offering your time, resources and materials.
• TIMSS: MHTA was instrumental in securing public and private funds to ensure that Minnesota
participated as a “mini nation” in the Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS),
which compared Minnesota students with students in 60 other nations. MHTA is taking a
leading role in disseminating the lessons learned to educators, policymakers, and the public.
• North Star STEM Alliance: MHTA is partnering with the Science Museum and 16 public
and private colleges and universities to double the number of minority student STEM graduates
in the state by 2012. Hundreds of students have learned about global technology trends and
networked with technology leaders at MHTA events.
• iSTEM: MHTA successfully launched iSTEM in 2009 which includes job boards for internships
and traditional jobs. Over one hundred jobs and internships were posted online in the first few
months of the initiative.
LEFT: Rep. Tim Mahoney and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark discuss policy issues with Kate Rubin, President of MHTA and
Doug Carnival, MHTA board member. MIDDLE: Aneesh Chopra, President Obama’s CTO, with Kate Rubin. RIGHT: A packed house filled
the ADC Auditorium to learn the details of the federal economic stimulus act.
MHTA 5
6. This was my first
Spring Conference and
I was very impressed
with the quality and
topics of the featured
speakers and round-
table presentations.
I’m looking forward to
next year’s conference.
Great job!
Keith Kraft
Principle Consultant
Kraft & Associates
3M CEO George Buckley addressed attendees
of MHTA’s Spring Conference.
“Collaboration” – it’s more than just a buzzword.
It’s where the intersection of common goals spark the first flames of innovation. MHTA events and initiatives help
technology leaders collaborate and connect in ways that help break down silos and spread knowledge across sectors.
collaborate
Thanks so much for
your tireless efforts to Tekne Awards
pull off such a
wonderful Spring The most outstanding technology innovators in Minnesota received top honors at the 2009 Tekne
Conference yesterday. Awards, where more than 1,000 technology leaders paid tribute to recipients in 14 categories.
All of the Academy of
The evening featured the induction of the second class of inductees to the Minnesota Science and
Math and Science
Technology Hall of Fame, a partnership between MHTA and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
students had a very
interesting and
Tekne nominations and applications can be found at www.tekneawards.org.
informative day.
Thank you also for Spring Conference
your efforts to arrange
for the engineering 2010 - A New Way Forward will be the focus of the MHTA Spring Conference on April 22, 2010.
panel next week and Join the growing number of more than 1,100 business and technology executives who gather each
helping us with many year at what has become the state’s premier technology event.
other networking
opportunities. We Annual Golf Outing
look forward to
working with you even
This event will be held July 20th at The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake. The course, designed by
more in the future to
support young students
Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, is nestled in a breathtaking natural setting of Ponderosa pines,
who are exploring
hardwoods, wetlands and wildlife habitats – a perfect setting for a day of networking and fun out
STEM careers. on the course.
Chuck Waletzko
Executive Director
Normandale Community
College Foundation
6 2010 ANNUAL MEMBER UPDATE
7. Collaborative Activities
All MHTA events incorporate opportunities for collaboration and networking. MHTA also
partners with a number of organizations to present programs that result in high value learning
and networking opportunities, at significant discounts for members.
• CEO Roundtables: CEO roundtables provide opportunities for CEOs to explore topics of
mutual interest with others in the technology community in small confidential settings and to
build a network of peer advisors. These roundtables are provided free to CEOs of MHTA
member companies.
• CIO Forums: CIO Forums are quarterly, educational programs for technology
professionals - CIOs, Vice Presidents or Directors of Technology - that provide excellent
networking as well as candid discussions around the technology issues, trends and challenges
that executives face as technology leaders.
• Member Only Networking Events: Held quarterly, these exclusive member only events are
great opportunities to connect with friends and network with technology leaders.
National Partnerships
MHTA has a longstanding affiliation with TechAmerica, the largest and strongest voice for
technology industries in the nation. Representing nearly 1,500 member companies of all sizes
from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, TechAmerica is dedicated to helping
its members’ top and bottom lines. It is also the technology industry’s only grassroots-to-global
advocacy network, with offices and partnerships in state capitals across the country,
Washington DC, Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing) and around the world.
MHTA is also active in TECNA, which serves its members and the industry through its strong
peer-to-peer network and regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of technology
industries in North America. TECNA represents nearly 40 technology trade organizations who,
in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North America.
LEFT: A group from Leffert Jay & Polglaze enjoy the links at MHTA’s Annual Golf Outing at The Wilds Country Club. MIDDLE: Joy Lindsay,
Chair of the MHTA Board of Directors, presents the Tekne Award in the Technology Services category to Robert Maeser, CTO of XATA.
RIGHT: Mike Martiny, Vice President of Information Systems with General Mills, discusses strategy and trends at MHTA’s CIO Panel.
MHTA 7
8. The ACE Leadership
Program has been
one of the best
professional growth
opportunities I’ve
experienced. It has
clearly exceeded
my expectations
and then some.
Jake Krings
Project Manager
XATA Corporation
MHTA helped organize the 2009 Quiz Bowl at the Minnesota State Fair
with the Minnesota Department of Education.
MHTA serves as a catalyst for the public and private sectors to create initiatives that
enable Minnesota and its technology-based economy to flourish.
Increasing the knowledge base of Minnesota’s business, government and education leaders
creates opportunities that lead to growth and prosperity.
educate
I would like to thank
MHTA for inviting
Wallin Scholars to attend
the Economic Stimulus
Package event on June
25th. I am of the newest
wave of Wallin Scholars,
and to be presented an
opportunity so grand so
early was unbelievable.
Besides learning valuable
information about the
Economic Stimulus
Package and how
businesses can utilize it
to help their business,
employment rates,
and the environment,
I learned so much about
the formal business
world that I will take with
me for the rest of my life.
Thank you again
for giving me such a
grand opportunity.
Brigitte Brown
Wallin Scholar 2009
8 2010 ANNUAL MEMBER UPDATE
9. CEO Briefings
Minnesota’s most well-known and respected business and policy leaders discuss trends, challenges
and opportunities at MHTA CEO Briefings. Past speakers include George Buckley, CEO, 3M; Lee
Schram, CEO, Deluxe; Joel Ronning, CEO, Digital River; Tom Gillaspy, State Demographer and
Tom Stinson, State Economist; and panels of members of the Governor’s 21st Century Tax
Reform Commission as well as the Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force.
ACE Leadership Program
The purpose of the ACE Leadership Program is to develop and connect our region’s next
generation technology company leaders and to assist them in preparing for the important roles
they will play in making and keeping our region globally competitive. Throughout the year, next
generation leaders learn from senior technology leaders, develop leadership skills and collaborate
with partners on real-world projects. Participants have learned from senior leaders at Ecolab,
HB Fuller, IBM, Lawson Software, MTS Systems, Starkey Labs, Tennant, XATA Corporation and more.
CIO Panels
MHTA CIO Panels are educational forums open to all members that address key technology
issues, trends, and challenges CIOs face. Recent panelists include CIOs from Alliant Techsystems,
Deluxe, General Mills, HealthEast Care System, Lawson Software, the University of Minnesota
and more.
Scholarships
The mission of the Minnesota High Tech Foundation is to promote and support excellence in
science, technology, engineering and math education. The Foundation works hand in hand with the
Minnesota High Tech Association, where education is a key anchor in delivering a competitive,
innovative technology workforce to drive global competitiveness.
MHTF distributes eleven scholarships annually. Six $2000 awards are made at Tekne each year to
two recipients from the University of Minnesota, two from Minnesota private colleges, and two
from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Five scholarships named for individual
companies, reaching up to $10,000 over several years, are also awarded at Spring Conference and
other events.
The 2009 Tekne Awards also featured a memorial scholarship in honor of Arthur R. Kydd,
a founder and long time member of the MHTA board of directors. Through his venture capital
activities, Art helped found more than 60 companies.
LEFT: Scholarship award recipients at the 2009 Tekne Awards. RIGHT: Kate Rubin, MHTA president, delivered a keynote address as part of
the Carlson School’s First Tuesday Series.
MHTA 9
10. Raymond King from the
Toronto Stock Exchange
is interviewed by Wendy
Meadley from The Social
Wendy Group at the
2009 Tekne Awards.
Videos were posted
online and served as an
excellent way to boost
visibility of Tekne Award
recipients through the use
of social media.
Mark Your Calendars!
Key Dates to
Remember in 2010:
April 22
Spring Conference
July 20
Annual Golf Outing
November 3
Tekne Awards
Key Tekne Dates
to Remember:
April 1
Nominations Open
June 30
Nominations Close
September 9
Finalists Announced
November 3
Tekne Awards
www.tekneawards.org
Inductees to the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame
were honored at the 2009 Tekne Awards.
10 2010 ANNUAL MEMBER UPDATE
11. By the Numbers
70 Number of minority higher education students that participated in MHTA
events in 2009
150 Number of business and school connections made through getSTEM
8,000 Estimated number of students impacted by getSTEM in its first year of operation
$75,206 Average wage of a Minnesota high tech industry employee, 68% more than the
average private sector wage
29 Years MHTA has been representing Minnesota’s technology industries
3,730 Combined number of attendees at MHTA’s Annual Golf Outing, CEO Briefings,
CIO Panels, Member Only Networking Events, CIO Forums, Spring Conference,
and Tekne Awards
11 Scholarships given to students in STEM fields in 2009
3,600 Number of Minnesota students in 99 schools who participated in the Trends
in International Math and Science Assessment in 2007 (see MHTA’s involvement
under “STEM Education”)
50 Editions each year of the E-nnouncement, MHTA’s electronic newsletter that is
distributed weekly to approximately 3,000 subscribers
129,000 Number of high tech jobs in Minnesota
300+ Number of MHTA Member companies!
Minnesota Science & Technology Hall of Fame
MHTA and the Science Museum of Minnesota have teamed up to found the Minnesota Science and
Technology Hall of Fame. Learn more at www.msthalloffame.org. The 2009 class of inductees includes:
• Peter Agre, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize for chemistry
• William Austin, founder, Starkey Laboratories
• Paul Boyer, winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize for chemistry
• Richard Gurley Drew, 3M scientist and inventor of Scotch Tape
• Philip Hench, Mayo Clinic professor and researcher, winner of the 1950 Nobel Prize for
physiology or medicine
• Edward Kendall, Mayo Clinic professor and researcher, winner of the 1950 Nobel Prize for
physiology or medicine
• C. Walton Lillehei, developer of the first prosthetic heart valve, co-developer of the first pacemaker
• Earl Wood, Mayo Clinic physiologist, developer of the G-suit used by aviators in World War II
and the oximeter, a device to optically measure blood oxygen levels
MHTA 11