On September 24, 2014, MassTLC hosted each of the major gubernatorial candidates in a forum to provide an opportunity for tech leaders to meet, interact with, and learn from the various candidates on issues related to the tech sector.
Prior to the forum, MassTLC sat down with each candidate and a group of tech leaders to brief them on tech sector priorities. Summaries of these meetings follow:
MassTLC & InterSystems Host Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Baker
MassTLC hosted gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker for an afternoon discussion Wednesday, August 13, at InterSystem’s Cambridge headquarters, the most recent in a series of meetings with Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates.
MassTLC President & CEO Tom Hopcroft and Paul Grabscheid, Vice President of Strategic Planning at InterSystems, welcomed Mr. Baker and leaders from a dozen MassTLC member companies, including: Acquia, Cadence Design Systems, CloudLock, dSide Technologies, Google, KnowledgeVision, MassTLC Ed Foundation, NetProspex, Oxfam America, Rapid7, and Vecna.
The discussion centered on issues critical to the tech community and regional economic growth and sustainability: the challenge of developing, retaining and attracting innovation-ready talent; increasing computer science (CS) education in K-12 to educate future technology leaders; and expanding transportation outside the hubs.
Mr. Baker is experienced in the tech and healthcare sectors through his recent post as Entrepreneur in Residence at the venture capital firm General Catalyst Partners, and his tenure as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. He stressed his commitment to a strong education system and support for local aid. He also recognized the importance of developing “a real strategy around the cost of housing” as an important step in keeping young people in Massachusetts. Mr. Baker cited examples of how strong public private partnerships (like those with our college and universities) are helping to create jobs and revitalize communities and offered that state government should do more to engage the tech community in finding solutions to enhance government productivity and efficiencies.
MassTLC accelerates innovation and economic growth in the Massachusetts technology sector by educating public officials and advocating for policies that support tech sector growth, helping local tech leaders engage in state and federal programs and initiatives, and fostering collaboration between the tech sector, academia, and public officials.
MassTLC & iRobot Host Attorney General
MassTLC hosted gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Martha Coakley, for an early morning discussion Monday, August 4, at iRobot’s Bedford headquarters.
MassTLC President & CEO Tom Hopcroft and iRobot Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder and MassTLC Trustee Colin Angle welcomed the Attorney General and leaders from several MA technology companies. They addressed a host of issues related to economic growth and opportunity from how to respond to challenges in developing, attracting and retaining talent; new practices for educating future technology leaders to how to develop a bold vision of innovation and success for MA’s future.
The Attorney General is knowledgeable and well-versed in the tech sector. In 2014 she hosted the National Cyber Crime Conference in Norwood, MA, which she heralds as the “biggest state cyber crime event in the nation.” She also participated in the national campaign, “Hour of Code,” which emphasizes computer science education in high school.
MassTLC is a highly motivated member community that welcomes the opportunity to call upon Beacon Hill to support initiatives that address talent issues, expanded computer and STEM education and obstacles in scaling. In addition to those key topics, continuing to champion MA as an innovation mecca will further strengthen the Commonwealth’s capacity for economic success and sustainable growth.
MassTLC Hosts Gubernatorial Candidate Evan Falchuk
MassTLC hosted independent gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuk for an afternoon discussion on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, the fourth in a series of meetings with Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates.
MassTLC President & CEO Tom Hopcroft briefed Mr. Falchuk on the size and impact of the sector as well as key issues including talent. Mr. Falchuk is no stranger to growing companies in Massachusetts and played a leading role in helping grow a Boston-based global healthcare company from 9 to over 600 employees. He notes that “to create sustained economic growth in Massachusetts, we have to cut the cost of living.”
Beyond technology providing solutions to current and future problems the meeting explored how the tech community can further achieve regional economic growth and sustainability. By identifying ways to develop, retain and attract innovation-ready talent through reduced the cost of living and an increased supply of multi-family and other housing options, Falchuk asserted that MA’s tech sector and the overall economy would continue to grow.
MassTLC accelerates innovation and economic growth in Massachusetts by educating public officials and advocating for policies that support tech sector growth, helping local tech leaders engage in state and federal programs and initiatives, and fostering collaboration between the tech sector, academia, and public officials.
MassTLC & Vecna Host Gubernatorial Candidate Jeff McCormick
MassTLC hosted gubernatorial candidate Jeff McCormick for a morning discussion Monday, August 18, at Vecna Technologies’ Cambridge headquarters, the third event in a series of meetings with Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates.
MassTLC President & CEO Tom Hopcroft and Vecna Co-Founder & CTO Daniel Theobald welcomed Mr. McCormick and leaders from several MassTLC member companies, including: Avaya, Cadence Design Systems, EnerNOC, Harvest Automation, Iron Mountain, and Microsoft.
Mr. McCormick is no stranger to the tech community. Educated in biology and finance, Mr. McCormick went on to finance and grow several early stage companies including the Twin Rivers Technologies biodiesel company. “The power of technology gets to the root of problems,” he stressed, and cited an example of how a MA software company is helping to reduce hospital readmission rates.
Beyond technology providing solutions to current and future problems the meeting’s attendees explored how the tech community can further achieve regional economic growth and sustainability. By identifying ways to develop, retain and attract innovation-ready talent; strengthen the Gateway Cities; and increase the STEM and CS skills of MA’s future technology leaders, MA’s reputation for being a technology powerhouse will grow. “Wayne Gretsky skated to where the puck would be. Similarly our kids need to be educated for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Theobald.
MassTLC accelerates innovation and economic growth in the Massachusetts technology sector by educating public officials and advocating for policies that support tech sector growth, helping local tech leaders engage in state and federal programs and initiatives, and fostering collaboration between the tech sector, academia, and public officials.
