Winter 2009
Verdiem CEO Jeremy Jaech Takes the Helm at the TA, Welcomes Bill McAleer of Voyager Capital and WBBA President Chris Rivera
Experienced entrepreneur and technologist Jeremy Jaech began a two-year term as chair of the Technology Alliance board in January. Jaech, currently CEO of PC power management software developer Verdiem, is committed to working with our volunteers, partners and policy leaders to advance Washington's long-term competitiveness.
One of Jaech's first duties in his new role was to welcome the latest additions to the TA's roster of dedicated, visionary leaders: Bill McAleer, managing director at Voyager Capital, and Chris Rivera, president of the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.
Prior to joining the leadership of Verdiem, Jaech was co-founder and CEO of web calendar developer Trumba. He previously founded and led Visio Corporation, developer of the first mass-market business drawing and diagramming software, and Aldus Corporation, the first creator of graphic design software for the end-consumer. Jaech served as Visio's president, CEO and chairman of the board from 1990 until its acquisition by Microsoft in 2000. At Aldus, he led the development of the original PageMaker software and went on to serve as vice president of engineering, overseeing all product development before the company's acquisition by Adobe in 1994.
Jaech succeeds Marty Smith, managing director of MetaJure, Inc., who has chaired the Technology Alliance board since 2006 and will continue to serve as a member of the TA leadership team in the role of chair emeritus.
"Washington is facing tremendous challenges right now," observed Jaech. "But with challenge comes opportunity, and we and the rest of the tech community must help policy makers and the public understand the central role innovation will play in our economic recovery."
"If Washington is to truly be successful, we must strive for excellence in our public education system, strategically invest in high-impact science and engineering degree programs and university research, and encourage commercialization and new company growth," he continued. "I look forward to building on Marty's leadership and vision as chair of this great organization to advance the drivers of our state's future prosperity."
Joining Jaech at his first board meeting as chair were new members Bill McAleer and Chris Rivera.
McAleer co-founded Voyager Capital in 1997 and has more than 20 years of senior executive and equity financing experience in the information technology industry. He previously was president of consulting firm e.liance Partners and served as vice president of finance, CFO and secretary at Aldus, overseeing the company's merger with Adobe. McAleer has participated on the boards of 18 companies in the software and services, digital media and wireless sectors, and chairs the advisory board for the University of Washington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Chris Rivera succeeded Jack Faris as president of WBBA, bringing with him more than two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Rivera was founder and CEO of Hyperion Therapeutics, a company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for gastroenterology and hepatology diseases. Previously, he served as senior vice president of commercial operations at Tercica and as senior vice president of Genzyme Therapeutics, where he was responsible for building the company's U.S. renal division.
In addition to welcoming McAleer and Rivera, the Technology Alliance is grateful to the following board members for renewing their commitment to our organization and extending their service:
- Christopher Elias, president, PATH
- Ron Howell, president, Washington Research Foundation
- Robert Nelsen, managing director and co-founder, ARCH Venture Partners
- Chris Rice, retired partner, KPMG
- Marty Smith, managing director, MetaJure, Inc.
- Cheryl Vedoe, president and CEO, Apex Learning Inc.
- Chad Waite, general partner, OVP Venture Partners
- Doug Walker, retired chairman and CEO, WRQ, Inc.
View a complete list of 2009 TA board members here.
Rising to the Challenge, Seizing the Opportunity: Technology Alliance Urges State Policy Leaders to Chart a Course for Long-term Economic Success
Wrestling with a multi-billion dollar deficit, policy makers in Washington State face a daunting task in crafting a budget for the next biennium.
While acknowledging that tough choices will have to be made, Technology Alliance leaders have made clear that our state must not sacrifice our future economic prosperity in its quest for a short-term fix.
Calling All Northwest Angels: Join AoA for the 2009 Angel Capital Association Regional Meeting
The national organization of angel investor groups, the Angel Capital Association, will convene its Northwest meeting in Seattle on February 24th. Accredited investors from throughout Washington and the surrounding region are invited to join host Alliance of Angels to discuss trends in angel investing and to participate in a special workshop offering tips for lead investors.
Searching for Knowledge? Look No Further than the Science & Technology Discovery Series!
The Technology Alliance is pleased to welcome Brian Bershad, site director for Google's Seattle research and development office, on March 13th - the latest in a fascinating lineup of speakers featured at our breakfast program that brings you up close and personal with researchers from Washington's preeminent institutions and innovative companies.
Important Dates
- March 3
- Alliance of Angels 10 Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 - 4:30 pm
- Seattle
- March 13
- Seattle Discovery Series: Brian Bershad, Google
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Seattle
- March 20
- Spokane Discovery Series: Suzanne Lindsey, Recodagen
- 7:30 - 9:00 am
- Spokane
- April 7
- Alliance of Angels 10 Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 - 4:30 pm
- Seattle
- April 17
- Seattle Discovery Series: Peter Ward, University of Washington Department of Earth & Space Sciences
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Seattle
