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Technology Alliance Board Elects Martin F. Smith, Partner at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, as New Chair
Respected attorney and advocate for public education to assume leadership of statewide organization promoting a vibrant future economy for Washington’s citizens
SEATTLE, WA, May 25, 2006 – The board of the Technology Alliance, a statewide organization of business and technology leaders dedicated to promoting education, research and entrepreneurship for a strong technology economy in Washington, today elected Martin F. Smith, partner at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, as its new chair.
Smith has been a strong advocate for education, previously serving as co-chair of the Technology Alliance’s Task Force on Technology in Education and chair of the steering committee overseeing the Smart Tools Academy, which trained more than 1,900 school principals and superintendents in the use of technology in education. He currently chairs the board of the Digital Learning Commons, is a member of the board of the Washington State K-20 Network, and co-chairs the advisory board of the Shidler Center for Law, Commerce and Technology at the University of Washington. He is a member of Preston Gates & Ellis’ Intellectual Property Transactions practice group, representing clients such as Microsoft, Amazon.com, and the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Smith, who joined the Technology Alliance board in 2002, will serve a two-year term beginning July 1st. He will succeed Tom Alberg, managing director at Madrona Venture Group, in the post. Alberg will continue as a member of the Technology Alliance’s leadership team in the role of chair emeritus.
The Technology Alliance also recently welcomed seven new board members who bring a wealth of expertise and leadership from a variety of sectors, including technology, education, economic development, and global health:
- Mic Dinsmore, CEO, Port of Seattle
- Christopher Elias, M.D., M.P.H., President, PATH
- Karen Hedine, President & CEO, Micronics, Inc.
- Michael Martino, CEO, Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Tom Vander Ark, Executive Director – Education, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Cheryl Vedoe, President & CEO, Apex Learning, Inc.
- Peter Wilson, Director of Engineering, Google
Members of the Technology Alliance board serve three-year terms. For more information on the Technology Alliance and a complete list of board members, visit www.technology-alliance.com.