Northwest Node

Launched in 2003, TechNet Northwest has grown to have a demonstrative impact on the key public policy issues that impact the innovation economy.  Serving TechNet member companies throughout the Pacific Northwest, our member companies are headquartered in states ranging from Washington in the West to Utah in the east, including Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska.  The Northwest Executive Committee is led by Chair, Tom Alberg, Managing Director of Madrona Venture Group and includes among others, local industry leaders, John McAdam, President, CEO and Director of F5 Networks; Brad Smith, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Microsoft; Patrick Ennis, Global Head of Technology for Intellectual Ventures; and Bob Calaff, Director of Technology Policy at T-Mobile.

Under the leadership of Executive Director John Drescher, TechNet Northwest inaugurated a senior executive roundtable series that has hosted presidential candidates, cabinet officials, and local and national legislators for discussions pertinent to the welfare of our industry.  Speakers have included Governor Christine Gregoire, Attorney General Rob McKenna, Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator John McCain, Governor Mitt Romney, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Congressman Adam Smith, and Congressman Dave Reichert.  Additionally, TechNet Northwest has worked to influence tech policy through testimony in Olympia and elsewhere, and is currently working to defeat anti-innovation policies such as Washington state income tax initiative 1098.

If your company is in the Pacific Northwest and you’d like to learn more about TechNet or becoming a TechNet member, please contact John Drescher, Executive Director, TechNet Northwest at (206) 359-6472 or by e-mail at jdrescher@technet.org.