December 2009
Two New Fellows Spread Their Wings at Alliance of Angels
It is a rite of passage for a select few entrepreneurial-minded MBA students: every autumn, Alliance of Angels welcomes two new fellows, offering a unique opportunity for them to work side-by-side with experienced investors and entrepreneurs at one of the most active angel groups in the nation.
Meet Read Maloney and Zach Okun, the latest University of Washington MBA candidates to get their wings.
Read Maloney is the 2009-2010 William H. Gates Sr. Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He was a member of the team that won the Regional Intramural Venture Capital International Competition; he also won multiple Foster School of Business Case Competitions and received the Dean’s Scholar award for finishing his first year in the top 10% of the class. Read spent the past summer interning at Amazon.com in its Amazon Web Services division, where he will return next year as a senior product manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, with a minor in economics, from Duke University.
“I am very excited to be working for the most active angel community in the country,” Read said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to not only assist, but also learn from the talented and passionate entrepreneurs we speak with on a daily basis.”
Read brings a combination of technical expertise and leadership skills to his position at AoA. Prior to enrolling at the Foster School, Read was a manufacturing process engineer at Honeywell Corporation in Redmond, Washington. There, he analyzed and made numerous process improvements that led to significant savings in time, labor, and materials, and led the 30-person safety counsel responsible for providing communications tools that enabled employees and company leaders to monitor safety actions, employee training, and area inspections.
Between 2003 and 2007, Read served two tours in Iraq as a member of the United States Marine Corps. There, he managed and trained Marines, planned and supervised combat missions, and created a comprehensive public relations plan to encourage local citizens to work with the Marines on community improvement and security. Read also created an intelligence database that was used effectively to counteract the movement of insurgents and weapons.
Zachary Okun, the 2009-2010 K&L Gates Fellow, has a rich background in the music industry, having earned his Masters in Recording Arts from the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. A National Merit Scholar finalist, Zach earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science, with minors in creative writing and philosophy, from Emory University. He achieved the highest GMAT score of any student at the Foster School, and won the Microsoft National Marketing Case Competition in Fall 2008. Zach also was a member of the HydroSense team that captured third place in University of Washington’s statewide Business Plan Competition.
“Being an AoA fellow is an unparalleled opportunity,” said Zach. “I get to work with the region’s best and brightest entrepreneurs and most savvy and successful angel investors. I look forward to helping entrepreneurs articulate their businesses and helping the angels identify the best investment opportunities.”
“Every day, I feel like I’m getting a sneak peek at what are sure to be the Pacific Northwest’s most successful new companies.”
Zach founded his own professional audio recording studio, called Bored of Trade, in Portland, Oregon. There, he built a clientele of over 50 recording artists and worked with members of such bands as Modest Mouse, Sleater-Kinney, and The Cribs, even recording a UK number-one hit vinyl single. Zach has produced and sold thousands of albums with several bands and performed in front of audiences as large as 10,000 people.
Before enrolling at the Foster School, Zach spent seven years as academic manager for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions in Portland, where he managed 60 instructors and taught or tutored students preparing for the LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SAT and ACT. He was honored as the region’s Kaplan Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Research into Results: Innovation Showcase Aims to Connect Innovators with the Entrepreneur and Investor Community
How can we unleash the promise of innovations developed at our public and private research institutions and turn them into commercially viable products, services and companies?
A brand new Technology Alliance program, the Innovation Showcase, may be the answer.
Washington 3.0: Innovation and Policy Leaders Focus on Learning and Leadership at the 2009 Technology Institute
In September, leaders from state and federal government, technology-based businesses, education organizations and research institutions gathered at the Technology Alliance's biennial policy retreat to identify strategies for strengthening Washington education, research and entrepreneurship in a climate of economic uncertainty.
One thing is certain: it is time to hit the reset button and focus on learning and leadership for the new new economy.
Technology Alliance Urges Washington Education and Policy Leaders to Maintain Commitment to Meaningful Math and Science Graduation Requirements
On November 19th, the Technology Alliance issued a public statement in response to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn’s proposal to further delay math and science graduation requirements.
Calling any retreat from the commitment to provide Washington’s students with a meaningful high school diploma “unconscionable,” the Technology Alliance urged state leaders to stay the course and highlighted key actions identified during our Technology Institute retreat which, if implemented, would positively impact upon our students’ achievement.
Technology Alliance Welcomes Old Friends and New Faces
The Technology Alliance is pleased to announce the addition of four outstanding business and community leaders to our board: Stephan Coonrod of K&L Gates; Sid Ferrales of RealNetworks; Ned Sander of AH&T Insurance; and Peter van Oppen of Trilogy Partnership.
Rise and Shine! Don’t Miss the Science & Technology Discovery Series
What better way to start the day than with a generous helping of science and technology for breakfast?
So far, members of the 2009-2010 Discovery Series have been treated to presentations on computer security, new protein development, and advances in treating influenza and AIDS. Read on to discover our exciting lineup of speakers for the remainder of the season, and be sure to set your alarm clock.
Save the Date: 5.17.2010
Mark your calendars and plan to join us on May 17th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Sheraton Seattle for the State of Technology Luncheon, the premier annual event for Washington's innovation community!
The 2010 luncheon will feature a keynote presentation by Clayton M. Christensen, author of The Innovator's Dilemma and Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns.
We offer a variety of sponsorship packages that include reserved seating, extensive visibility for your company or organization, and other exciting benefits. For more details, click here.
Important Dates
- December 11
- Science & Technology Discovery Series
- Featuring: Denise Calloway, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- 7:30 am - 9:00 am
- Rainier Club, Seattle
- January 8
- Science & Technology Discovery Series
- Featuring: Bruce Montgomery, Gilead Sciences
- 7:30 am - 9:00 am
- Rainier Club, Seattle
- January 11
- Alliance of Angels 10 Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:30 - 5:30 pm
- 1301 5th Avenue #2500, Seattle
- January 21
- Technology Alliance Board Meeting
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- RealNetworks, Seattle
- January 25
- Innovation Showcase
- Registration: 3:00 pm
- Showcase: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Reception: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
- May 17
- State of Technology Luncheon
- Featuring: Clayton M. Christensen
- 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
- Sheraton, Seattle
