Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today announced Robert Boykin as Executive Director for California and the Southwest Region. Boykin will oversee TechNet’s state advocacy in the Southwest which, in addition to California, includes Nevada, Hawaii, and Arizona.

“We are thrilled to welcome Robert to TechNet,” said TechNet CEO, Linda Moore. “Our state advocacy team is the best in the business, and Robert’s extensive experience and strong relationships will help us continue to deliver outstanding results for our members. We are delighted to have him join the team.”

Boykin joins TechNet from the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP), where he worked as a legislative advocate. Prior to CAHP, he was a Government Relations Manager at Argo AI. Boykin also spent over ten years working for the California State Assembly, where he served as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Jose Medina, and Executive Assistant and Scheduler to Assemblymember Susan Bonilla. He started his career in the Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms and Special Services Department.

Boykin attended San Jose State University as a first generation college student, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. He will join TechNet’s Deputy Executive Director for California and the Southwest, Jose Torres, based in Sacramento. Robert’s first day at TechNet is March 17.

“There has never been a more important time for state advocacy,” said David Edmonson, TechNet’s Senior Vice President of State Policy and Government Relations. “We are already tracking over 2,600 bills that have been introduced across the country this year alone. Robert’s extensive experience in California will be a great asset to our team as we navigate an unprecedented legislative environment for our members.”

“There is no question that TechNet is the leader in state advocacy,” said Robert Boykin. “I am looking forward to working with Linda, David, and my colleagues across the country to represent this incredible group of forward-looking members at this critical time for American tech.”

TechNet’s 50-state advocacy program is focused on legislative and regulatory advocacy across the country. This includes relationship building between member companies and policymakers, advancing smart state policy, developing influence, and providing local support for key federal initiatives.

In addition to the Southwest Region, TechNet’s 50-state advocacy program includes:

  • Florida and the Southeast U.S. Region which, in addition to Florida, covers Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The region is led by Katie Kelly, who is based in Tallahassee. 
  • Colorado and the Central U.S. Region which, in addition to Colorado, covers Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming. The region is led by Ruthie Barko, who is based in Denver.
  • Illinois and the Midwest Region which, in addition to Illinois, covers Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The region is led by Tyler Diers, who is based in Chicago.
  • Massachusetts and the Northeast Region which, in addition to Massachusetts, covers Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The region is led by Chris Gilrein, who is based in Boston.
  • Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic Region which, in addition to Pennsylvania, covers Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The region is led by Margaret Durkin, who is based in Harrisburg.
  • Texas and the South Region which, in addition to Texas, covers Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Puerto Rico. The region is led by Renzo Soto, who is based in Austin.
  • Washington and the Northwest which, in addition to Washington state, covers Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Dakota. The region is led by Rose Feliciano, who is based in Olympia.