Party in the Pinot Set for
July 26 – Act Now!

AeA Takes on Oregon
Technology Awards
Program

First Time in Forty Years:
Oregon Plays Role in
Presidential Primary

Calling All AeA Oregon
Council Members –
Committee Recruitment is
Underway!

Board of Directors Program
Focus is Succession
Planning

Good News for Oregon,
Cyberstates Report Shows
Job Growth

AeA to Host Sixth Annual
Oregon Technology Investor
Tour

Participating Members Access High-Tech Industry Specific Salary Data - FREE

Membership Benefits in the Spotlight: Health Care

Welcome New Members

Thanks to Renewing
Members

Upcoming Oregon Council
Events

Oregon Team

Oregon Council Complete
Calendar of Events

About the Oregon
Council

AeA National Events

Featured Council Events

AeA First Thursday Social
in the Pearl

BOD Education Series:
What Part Does the Board
Play in Executive
Succession Planning?

Party in the Pinot

Featured AeA National Events

National Executive Retreat

AeA/Stanford Executive
Institute

AeA Salary Survey Tutorial
Webinar

2008 AeA Classic Financial
Conference

Featured AeA National Programs

Freight Program

Healthcare Program

Survey Program

Party in the Pinot Set for July 26 – Act Now!
AeA will host the summer’s premier networking event for the Oregon technology industry, the annual summer gala, Party in the Pinot. Once again we will be at the Oswego Hills Winery in West Linn. Bottom line: this party always sells out and tables are going fast.

The evening gala (6 to 11 p.m.) will feature a fabulous dinner prepared by Artemis Foods, high-caliber networking, music by Portland’s Patrick Lamb and the always popular after dinner Scotch and Cigar Bar. Proceeds from a silent wine auction will support the local Robotics programs (ORTOP and FIRST).

So don’t delay, make plans now . Tables of 10 go for $2,500 and individual tickets are $250. Call the AeA Oregon Council office at 503-624-6050 or visit the website for more information and registration.

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Intel.

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AeA Takes on Oregon Technology Awards Program
The AeA Oregon Council has taken on the ownership of the annual Oregon Technology Awards program that recognizes the finest leaders and companies in the local technology industry. A revitalized awards dinner and program will take place on May 7, 2009, at the Portland Art Museum.

The prestigious event was established in 1984 by the Cascade Pacific Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 

When the event was not held this past fall, AeA, under the leadership of Steve Sharp, Oregon Council Chairman, approached the Boy Scouts and expressed the desire to keep the awards program going. AeA Oregon Council executive director Jennifer Bosze said she looks forward to rebuilding the event and making it even more successful than in past years. “The Technology Awards program has a long tradition in this community of honoring our technology heroes and deserving companies and we plan to continue to build on its history and its past success,” said Bosze. She noted that the event proceeds will support math, science and technology education programs for Oregon students.

On May 8, a “re-launch dinner” was held in Portland at clarklewis Restaurant where approximately 50 of the area's technology executives and past award winners came together to celebrate its past history and to reinforce the importance of continuing the awards program and building its future.

The following Executives of the Year were in attendance: 

• 1990 Scott Gibson

• 1999 Keith Barnes

• 2000 John Harker (Lifetime Achievement)

• 2001 Steve Sharp

• 2002 Allen Alley

• 2005 Paul Gulick

• 2006 Rick Wills

• 2006 Jack Wilborn (Lifetime Achievement)

Some of the award categories have been redefined to more appropriately reflect our technology community and create an event that is fun and fresh while staying true to the vision of the awards.  The new list of categories includes:

Visit the AeA Oregon Council website to view pictures from the event.

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First Time in Forty Years: Oregon Plays a Role in Presidential Race
For the first time since 1968, votes by Oregonians in a presidential primary mattered on May 20 and 58% of registered voters turned in ballots to participate. The major focus, of course, was the Democratic primary battle that Barack Obama won handily with nearly 60% of the Democratic vote.

Though they were often overshadowed by the Obama-Clinton matchup, there were other candidates on the ballot. State Rep. Jeff Merkley, speaker of the Oregon House, edged out political maverick Steve Novick to win the Democratic primary and the right to take on incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith in the fall.

In the race to fill retiring Congresswoman Darlene Hooley’s seat in the 5th District, State Sen. Kurt Schrader won the right to meet Republican businessman Mike Erickson in November. This district includes a good part of the Willamette Valley and parts of the coast.

Another State Senator, Kate Brown of Portland, won a three-way race for the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. She will face newcomer Republican Rick Dancer from Eugene.

Republicans didn’t field a candidate for Attorney General therefore that race was decided between two Democrats. Lewis and Clark law professor and former federal prosecutor John Kroger won an impressive victory over State Rep. Greg Macpherson, an attorney with Stoel Rives LLP in Portland.

The third major race for statewide office, Treasurer, will have to wait until November for a decision. Democratic State Sen. Ben Westlund will face Republican Allen Alley, founder of Pixelworks and former chair of the AeA Oregon Council. Alley most recently worked as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Kulongoski.

For information on State Government Affairs click here.

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Calling All AeA Oregon Council Members – Committee Recruitment is Underway!
Join other high-caliber technology executives and premiere industry service providers by applying to become an AeA committee member. We are currently initiating the Committee Recruitment process for FY09 (October 2008 to September 2009). Eligibility for membership on an AeA Committee is open to any individual of an AeA Member company. We encourage anyone interested to complete the Committee Recruitment Packet and return it to AeA no later than Friday, June 6. FY09 event planning will start in mid-June.

Visit the AeA website for more information on how to get
involved.

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Board of Directors Program Focus is Succession Planning
This year AeA began a new series of programs designed to educate those who serve on corporate boards of directors. With an overall theme of “Good Governance Matters,” the four-event series was geared towards helping directors navigate the challenges of leadership.

The series has been a solid success. The fourth event takes place June 17 at the Oregon Zoo Skyline Banquet Room (7:30 to 10:30 a.m.) with a focus on the role of the board in executive succession planning. All aspects will be considered from planned succession to a succession as a result of a crisis. Local investor Scott Gibson will moderate the panel that includes three local board chairmen: Steve Sharp (TriQuint), Jim Richardson (FEI) and Russell Tromley (NW Natural).

Cost is $100 for AeA members’ $150 for nonmembers.

Click here for more information and registration.

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Good News for Oregon – Cyberstates Report Shows Tech Job Growth

AeA’s annual report on the high-tech industry, released this spring, showed that Oregon’s technology industry added 2,900 jobs, a three percent increase during 2006, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available. Overall, Oregon now has 86,000 tech jobs statewide.

The data is contained in AeA’s 11th annual report detailing national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages and other key economic factors. The report, Cyberstates 2008: A Complete State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Oregon’s largest technology sector remains semiconductor manufacturing, which added 600 net jobs in 2006. Oregon is the 3rd ranked cyberstate nationwide in semiconductor manufacturing employment. Total tech manufacturing in Oregon was up by over 800 jobs.

On the services side, the largest increase in technology jobs occurred in Oregon’s software publishers sector which added 900 jobs, the 8th ranked cyberstate in that sector. Following this were engineering services (+600), computer systems design and related services (+400), and Internet services (+300).
“Oregon has a large and growing technology industry, balanced between manufacturing and services,” said Jennifer Bosze, executive director of the AeA Oregon Council. “High-tech job growth boosts our economy both through the innovation that is created and because tech industry wages are more than double the state’s average private sector wage – $75,600 compared to $37,700.”

“We want to keep these high paying jobs in Oregon and see them grow in the future,” said Bosze. “To ensure that, the industry needs highly skilled and educated workers. Oregon is helping to address this issue through the Engineering and Technology Industry Council where we work together with our universities to grow engineering and computer science programs statewide. We also need help from Congress to allow companies greater access to foreign nationals who graduate from our universities and are then forced to leave the country because they cannot obtain visas.”

Nationally, Cyberstates 2008 shows that the high-tech industry added jobs for the third consecutive year. Tech industry employment totaled 5.9 million, after adding 91,400 jobs in 2007. This is on top of job gains of 139,000 in 2006 and 87,400 in 2005.

For more information, click here. 

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AeA to Host Sixth Annual Oregon Technology Investor Tour 
The Oregon Technology Investor Tour was started five years ago as a way to provide a unique opportunity for the financial investment community to experience Oregon public technology companies first-hand, meet their management teams, view product demonstrations and take company tours. The tour continues to grow in popularity among investors who consider it a refreshing change from traditional financial conferences. Six public technology companies have committed to participate: ESI Inc. (NASDAQ: ESIO), FEI Company (NASDAQ: FEIC), Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT), Pixelworks (NASDAQ: PXLW), RadiSys Corporation (NASDAQ: RSYS) and TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TQNT). The tour will take place August 11-12.

Visit the AeA website for more information.

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Participating Members Access High-Tech Industry Specific Salary Data at No Cost
AeA's Salary Survey offers pay information from a database of over 18,000 incumbents representing 190 job titles found in the high-tech industry today.

In today's economy, every decision is critical to your bottom line. AeA's Salary Survey provides you with the information you need to retain valuable employees and ensure you are compensating them at the current market value. The Survey offers online, subscription-based access to job data on over 190 high-tech positions. Unlike other products on the market, you are able to access fresh data anytime, day or night. 

• Current Data - Updated daily, year-round access the most up-to-date data available

• Custom Reports - Refine searches based on region, industry or company type at no extra cost

• Free Access - AeA Members receive a complimentary subscription, just for participating

Your company's active participation in the AeA Salary Survey is critical to maintaining dynamic reports for you and your industry peers. All data submissions are kept strictly confidential

Want to learn more? Take part in an online orientation that walks you through the process of how to participate and access reports.

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Membership Benefits in the Spotlight: Health Care
The Oregon Council strives to provide superior services to our members. To this end each newsletter will now highlight one of the many benefits of AeA membership. Health benefits are in the spotlight for this issue. 

Controlling and managing health care costs is top of mind for most high-tech executives these days. Through the AeAHealth program, UnitedHealthcare offers a comprehensive variety of medical and specialty benefit plans, value-added services and a customized wellness program available for all AeA member companies.

When you purchase UnitedHealthcare’s medical and specialty products – dental, vision, life and disability – you are eligible for a comprehensive portfolio of medical and specialty products.

Also, by bundling your coverage with UnitedHealthcare, you will enjoy:

• Streamlined administration of one carrier

• Packaged Savings® credits on your monthly invoice

• Individual support for your account and claims questions

The AeAHealth insurance program provides customizable benefit options to best serve the needs of your employees as well as your company budget.

For more information, go to the AeA website.

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Welcome New Members
10X, Inc.
ACME Business Consulting LLC 
APCON, Inc.
CompView Medical
Tau Science
Wi-Chi

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Thanks to Renewing Members
Attensa, Inc.
Audio Precision, Inc.
Axian, Inc.
Barco Medical Imaging Systems
Bank of America
Client First Group, Inc.
Comotiv Systems, Inc.
Cost Advisors, Inc.
Frye Electronics, Inc.
In Focus Corporation
MathStar, Inc.
Momentum Management Resources, Inc.
Phoseon Technology, Inc.
P/M Industries, Inc.
Portland State University
Tripwire, Inc.
WebTrends,Inc.

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OREGON COUNCIL EVENTS

June 5, 2008, Finance Networking Event: Turn Up the Volume:
The Art of Corporate Communications and IR

June 5, 2008, AeA First Thursday Social in the Pearl

June 17, 2008, BOD Education Series: What Part Does the
Board Play in Executive Succession Planning?

July 26, 2008, Party in the Pinot

August 11-12, 2008, Oregon Technology Investor Tour

Complete Calendar of Upcoming Events

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OREGON TEAM

Jennifer Bosze, Executive Director
Jim Craven, Director of Legislative and Public Affairs
Kari Naone, Events and Programs Manager
Patricia Tolle, Office Administrator