Events

Oregon Team

Happy Holidays!

AeA extends a warm holiday greeting to everyone in the AeA family. We truly value your support as we work together to “advance the business of technology.”

Legislative session kicks off in January

The 2007 Oregon legislative session kicks off January 8 and AeA will be there.

AeA’s priorities in 2007 will be:

• Additional investments in engineering and computer science programs in higher ed
• Discussions about corporate taxes (including the corporate kicker and the corporate minimum tax)
• Building the state’s fiscal reserves
• Proactive legislation to combat online identity theft
• Support for the state’s nanotechnology research efforts.

Democrats will control the Oregon House for the first time since 1991 with Portland Rep. Jeff Merkley serving as Speaker of the House. Salem Sen. Peter Courtney will remain Senate President.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski released his 2007-09 budget proposal Dec. 4 and it contains:

• A 75% increase in funding for the AeA-led higher education engineering program (ETIC)
• A new $10 million infusion into nanotechnology research through the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) 
• Large overall increases for K-12 education and higher ed. 

These new investments are possible given the state’s healthy fiscal situation, with the revenue forecast showing a nearly 20 percent increase in state resources available for 2007-09.

AeA’s legislative director Jim Craven will continue to issue weekly updates on the Legislature’s progress. To receive these udpates, send a request to jim_craven@aeanet.org.

Click here to see the full 2007 legislative agenda

Congress extends R&D tax credit at last minute

Just prior to finishing their session in Washington, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the federal R&D tax credit. The popular credit had expired nearly a year ago. Congress made the extension retroactive and extended the credit through 2007. AeA played a leading role in the coalition that convinced Congress to take action prior to adjournment. In 2007, AeA will work to convince Congress to make the credit permanent.

Included in the reauthorization was a new formula that could help some companies who couldn’t take advantage of the existing program. Companies should consult their tax advisors for the details.


Oregon Leadership Summit set for Jan. 4

The fifth annual Oregon Leadership Summit will take place Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Oregon Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual event has become the largest gathering of business, lawmakers, educators, and economic development specialists in Oregon. Nearly a thousand people attended past summits.

Focus this year will be on “gaining a sustainable advantage” for Oregon’s economy. Key breakout sessions are scheduled on health care, transportation, and education.

Among the AeA sponsoring companies are Applied Materials, Hewlett Packard, Pixelworks, and Tektronix. Pixelworks chairman Allen Alley, a member of the AeA Oregon executive committee, is chair of this year’s event.

Register here for the Oregon Leadership Summit


New management workshop launched locally

The AeA Oregon Council will offer an exciting workshop for new managers this winter. “Mastering Management Skills” will be led by Gaylyn Sher-Jan, founder and president of OnCourse Group, Inc. Sher-Jan is an expert in executive/professional coaching and organizational development. 

The workshop will be held Jan. 24 and will focus on the skills needed by new managers who are looking to quickly master key management skills. Topics include team performance, hiring, feedback, and developing high-performers. The workshop will take place in Lake Oswego from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $425 for AeA members and $525 for nonmembers. Click here for more information.


AeA calls for bipartisan approach to the environment

AeA Oregon’s legislative director Jim Craven appeared on a panel Dec. 8 at the Northwest Environmental Conference and called for a bipartisan approach to addressing Oregon’s environmental challenges. Too often, Craven noted, activist groups and business groups resort to name calling and fear tactics to motivate their constituents and win debates about the environment. Craven called upon business associations, activists, lawmakers, the Governor, and state agencies to abandon such tactics and work together.

With the 2007 session of the Legislature kicking off in January, Craven urged all involved to “have some healthy debates. Let’s show some respect for each other. Let’s base our battles on well-researched science and well-crafted arguments. Let’s remember that we’re all Oregonians and no one – no one – has the exclusive lock on virtue or righteousness.”


AeA launches 2007 Technology Scholarship Campaign

The Oregon Council of the AeA is now recruiting sponsoring companies for 2007 AeA Technology Scholarships, which will be awarded to deserving Oregon graduating seniors this spring. We need your support to help grow this program and our engineering workforce.

Sponsor companies can select the major fields they wish to support including:

• Engineering
  
• Computer Science
  
• Physical Sciences majors

Sponsor companies commit to $2,500 per year for four years, assign a company mentor and provide a possible summer internship. The Oregon University System (OUS) administers the scholarship program. Selected students attend the OUS university of their choice. In the last seven years, AeA companies have supported over 180 students through AeA Technology Scholarships. 

Companies currently supporting this scholarship program include: Barco, First Tech Credit Union, Fortix, Frye Electronics, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Pixelworks, Planar Systems and Timbercon. Please join them in our efforts to retain Oregon's best and brightest students.

Contact Jennifer Bosze, Executive Director, AeA Oregon Council to commit to a scholarship or click here to learn more about the AeA Technology Scholarship Program.

Special small company apprenticeship offer

You can invest in your company and help improve U.S. competitiveness by hosting a Saturday Academy intern through the Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering program (ASE). Talented high school students are available to do such tasks as testing software, conducting failure analysis, doing product compliance testing, and analyzing competitor’s products. Cost to sponsor these apprentices is normally $2,700 for eight weeks, but small-cap companies new to the program can participate for only $1,000. Visit www.saturdayacademy.org and click on ASE, or call Saturday Academy Executive Director Joyce Cresswell at 503-725-2338. Deadline to apply is January 15, 2007. This program is helped out by the Engineering and Technology Industry Council, an initiative started by AeA nine years ago. 


Does your company need to be China RoHS compliant?

If your company needs to be China RoHS compliant and you are interested in learning more, please email Kari Naone, Oregon AeA Programs & Events Manager.  

Welcome New Member

Access Health Network, Inc., Jerry Hagan, President & CEO

Thanks to renewing members

Averna Corporation
MKTX, Inc.
Octavian Scientific
Oregon Economic & Community Development Dept.
PreCash Inc.
Routeware, Inc.
SignaCert, Inc.
White & Lee LLP