Wisconsin Technology Council: Adds eight members to board of directors

Contact: Tom Still or Ryann Petit-Frere at 608-442-7557

To learn more online: http://www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com

MADISON – Eight leaders from Wisconsin’s tech and engineering industries, private equity and political sectors have been unanimously approved to serve on the Wisconsin Technology Council Board of Directors.

The Tech Council is an independent, non-profit organization that serves as the science and technology advisor to the Governor and Legislature. It is a catalyst for the creation of tech-based based business in Wisconsin. Elected at recent board meetings were:

* Dan Collins, founder and chairman of Elutions Inc., Mequon

* Jim Dahlberg, professor of Biomolecular Chemistry at UW-Madison and science advisor to the governor

* Gregg Fergus, executive-in residence within Baird Venture Partners, Madison

* Charlie Hoslet, managing director, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations

* Dave Kiefer, vice president of business development, Cray Inc., Chippewa Falls

* Kevin McFarling, regional vice president and general manager of operations and service delivery, Hewlett-Packard/EDS

* Mark Sherry, vice president of the Milwaukee and Madison offices for Mortenson Construction, Brookfield

* State Sen. Jim Sullivan, 5th District, Milwaukee

The eight join a statewide council that includes more than 45 representatives from tech companies, venture capital firms, all levels of education, research institutions, government and law with the mission of growing Wisconsin’s technology-based economy.

“The addition of these eight board members helps strengthen our already diverse and respected board,” Tech Council Chairman Mark Bugher said of the new board members. “Their knowledge and expertise will contribute greatly to the organization’s mission of best positioning Wisconsin in the Knowledge Economy.”

Formally organized in 2001, the Tech Council has focused its efforts in three key areas: policy guidance, economic development and networking. Its major publications include “Vision 2020: A Model Wisconsin Economy” and “The Economic Value of Academic Research and Development in Wisconsin,” as well as periodic white papers. Its programs include the Wisconsin Innovation Network, the Wisconsin Angel Network, the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium and the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.

Following is additional information about the eight new board members:

Dan Collins, co-founder, Elutions, Inc.

Elutions is the premier provider of wireless enterprise automation solutions that significantly improve energy efficiency, assent performance and workforce productivity. In 1995 Collins founded Engage Networks a web-based software and hardware for utility data gathering, analysis, management, and reporting.

Jim Dahlberg, state science advisor

Dahlberg is an emeritus professor of Biomolecular Chemistry at UW-Madison. In July of 2008 he was named Governor Jim Doyle’s science advisor. Dahlberg holds a bachelor of science degree in Biology from Haverford College and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago. His research and numerous published works have earned him multiple honors and awards in his field. Dahlberg’s research interests center on the mechanisms by which RNAs and proteins are moved between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Dahlberg is also the co-founder of Third Wave Technologies.

Gregg Fergus, executive in residence, Baird Venture Partners

As the executive-in-residence within Baird Venture Partner’s health care and life sciences team, Fergus’s role involves sourcing, evaluating and managing new investment opportunities for Baird Venture Partners. In 2007, he served as the chief commercial officer of Cellular Dynamics Inc. and Stem Cell Products Inc. Prior to joining BVP, he served as a senior vice president of sales and global operations for Affymetrix Inc., where he was responsible for worldwide commercial development and grew the business to more than $100 million in revenue. Fergus is also a founder of GenTel Biosciences, Inc., a life science multiplexed protein platform company. He earned his B.S. from UW-Madison.

Charlie Hoslet, managing director, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations

As the Managing Director of the Office of Corporate Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hoslet is responsible for representing the Chancellor and the campus to the business community. Previously, Hoslet worked in state government as the Executive Assistant of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and as Chief Legal Counsel to Gov. Tommy Thompson. Hoslet also serves on the Advisory Boards of the University Research Park, the Center for International Business, Education and Research and the Waisman Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility. Hoslet received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his undergraduate degree from Marquette University.

Dave Kiefer, Cray Inc.

Kiefer is Vice President of Business Development for Cray’s newly formed Custom Engineering Division. Prior to this, Kiefer served in a number of Cray Inc. executive management positions including VP of Customer Development, VP Custom Processor Development and VP Engineering Development. Before his position at Cray, Kiefer was the Director of Engineering for Silicon Graphics, Cray Engineering Division. Prior to joining Silicon Graphics, he held a variety of engineering and engineering management positions with Cray Research, Inc. and Univac.

Kevin McFarling, EDS

McFarling is a regional vice president and general manager of operations and service delivery in EDS State & Local Health and Human Services portfolio. His organization provides the full spectrum of end-to-end business process services and applications development for government healthcare clients in the eastern United States. In this role, McFarling is responsible for business operations that process more than 300 million health insurance claims and administer more than $30 billion in welfare benefits annually. He was a key architect of EDS’ U.S. Public Sector business transformation initiatives and multi-year Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) technology deployment, product and service strategy. His efforts have been critical to the successful turn-around of EDS’ government business, which directly contributed to Medicaid wins in Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Oregon, Georgia, Ohio and Florida.

Mark Sherry, Mortenson Construction

Sherry is a 22-year veteran with Mortenson Construction and is the managing Vice President of the Milwaukee and Madison offices. Sherry is responsible for the overall management of operations and personnel, development of new customer relationships, delivery of all construction services, and direct involvement with all major customers. He brings extensive experience in the preconstruction phases and construction phases of a project with an experienced background in estimating, scheduling, and business development. His project experience spans a variety of sectors, including healthcare, commercial, industrial, education, high-rises, and hospitality facilities.

State Sen. Jim Sullivan, 5th District

Elected to the Senate in 2006, Sullivan serves the 5th Senate District, which includes parts of Milwaukee and Waukesha County. He held the seat of Democratic Majority Caucus Secretary in 2007. Sullivan is a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve, State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, West Suburban Chamber of Commerce – Milwaukee and other groups. He serves on the Wisconsin Center District Board, State Fair Park Board and Midwestern Higher Education Council. He obtained his J.D. from Marquette University in 2001.