CXO, Policy, Security, Talent

MassTLC Leads Delegation to DC to Advocate for Tech Sector Priorities

Local tech leaders are heading to Washington this week as part of MassTLC’s annual DC Fly-In to champion business and tech priorities that impact technology companies. Among the issues of importance are support for tech talent pipeline development, cybersecurity, and IoT. MassTLC partners on this annual event with CompTIA and the Tech Councils of North America (TECNA). View Fly-In recaps from 2017 and 2016.

Massachusetts tech leaders participating in the 2018 Fly-In include:

  • Mohamad Ali, CEO, Carbonite
  • Vijay Basani, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Cygilant
  • Adam Bosnian, EVP, Global Business Development, CyberArk
  • Matt Cushing, COO & GC, Pegasystems
  • Mark French, SVP, Chief Trust Officer, Mimecast
  • Mike O’Hanlon, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Wayfair
  • Derek Schoettle, GM, Analytics Platform Services, IBM
  • Julie Yoo, Co-Founder & CPO, Kyruus

We will get the latest tech policy thinking from Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission, as well as senior officials at the U.S. Department of Labor, Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Department of Homeland Security. We will meet individually with members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, including: Senator Ed Markey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Congressman Joe Kennedy, Congressman Seth Moulton, and more, to focus attention on policies for:

  • Developing a 21st century workforce;
  • Advancing tax and regulatory frameworks that spur innovation;
  • Establishing U.S. leadership in secure internet-based platform technologies;
  • Supporting new and emerging technology platforms;
  • Addressing availability and delivery of broadband communications;
  • Expanding markets and advocate for sensible rules of global trade.

“Innovation in the tech sector is a key force behind a strong 21st century economy and Congress should prioritize issues that affect technology companies in our region,” said MassTLC CEO Tom Hopcroft. “One of the most important issues facing the technology industry today is the availability of skilled tech talent. MassTLC and CompTIA are champions of the CHANCE in Tech Act, an apprenticeship bill that streamlines an alternate pathway for talent into the technology industry. We will share with our elected officials the importance of internships and apprenticeships as an avenue to train the next generation of tech workers and incentivize educators, students, and employers to adopt alternative education models that will spur economic growth.”

“We look forward to the 2018 legislative agenda and remain encouraged by the conversations on Capitol Hill about issues critical to our membership,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA. “We will work closely with congressional leaders to push legislation that boosts the digital economy and fosters American innovation.”

In addition to talent, our tech delegation will have a particular focus on cybersecurity. As the Massachusetts affiliate to CyberUSA, CyberMA and MassTLC have helped organize a cyber policy briefing for our delegation with representatives from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee of the Department of House Homeland Security, and other relevant officials. This briefing will not only provide an opportunity for our CyberMA leaders to receive the latest cyber information but also provides a venue for building relationships with counterparts from across the CyberUSA network.

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