Gorge Technology Alliance

{Past Meetings}

Through monthly meetings, the Gorge Technology Alliance provides a space for networking and an opportunity to learn about new technologies and local, regional, and state resources. Read about past meetings below. To view our lineup of upcoming speakers, see our calendar.

2010
February	The Leading Edge of Technology in Renewable Energy: Bill Weihl, Green Energy Czar from Google headquarters, spoke to a full house about Google's work to reduce energy consumption. He showcased Google PowerMeter, an application to track real-time residential energy use. Studies have shown that the more people understand their energy use, the more they try to reduce it to save money. He also explained the work Google has done to drastically reduce energy consumption from their data centers and fielded a range of questions about energy. Make a difference in your energy consumption today is just by turning off your computer when it's not in use!
January	Putting Google Apps to Work for Your Business: Dave Karlson, Google Site Manager, explained the benefits in collaboration and cost reductions by using Google Apps for businesses and organizations. He demonstrated gmail, docs and calendar, showing how easily one can transition to this system and how their abilities are better for getting things done. There just wasn't enough time to cover all the information and get specific help for meeting attendees! We may need to have a follow-up session or two for this topic.
2009
December	The Technology Behind Beer-Making: Jaime Emmerson, Brewmaster at Full Sail Brewing, gave us an in-depth tour of the brewery from the ingredients to the loading dock. It was a wonderful tour that covered more than anyone thought possible. The tour was capped off with a delicious taste of Full Sail's rare Top Sail Imperial Porter. Thanks to Jaime for a great meeting! And thanks to everyone who brought food donations - several full grocery bags were delivered to Fish Foodbank in Hood River.
November	Legal Issues for Entrepreneurs: The GTA pulled together a great panel of professionals to help with legal questions for those starting or growing a businesses. Panelists included Steve Davis, attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine; M.D. Van Valkenburgh, attorney with Van Valkenburgh & Assoc.; Sidney Rowe, CPA with Rowe and Deming; and Mary Merrill, Director of the Small Business Development Center at CGCC. Arthur Babitz of Animation Toolworks moderated the discussion. From corporation types to insurance concerns, payroll taxes to horror stories, we learned a lot and had a few laughs.
October	Gorge Angel 2010 Conference Launch Party: The GTA partnered with the Gorge Angel Investment Network (GAIN) for a fun networking event at Mount Hood Winery to launch the next round of GAIN investment. Discussion involved businesses, service providers and GAIN investors that participated in previous rounds of angel funding. GAIN is growing as a great venue for launching and supporting business in the Gorge. This current and third round of angel funding, which will culminate with the angel conference on April 27, 2010, will be another exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors in the Gorge.
September	Mobile Broadband – Entering the 4G Decade: We shared a wealth of information from Peter Rysavy with Rysavy Research LLC about the 4G decade of mobile broadband. He spoke to the group about the new era we’re entering of computing and communications that will be enabled by new wireless technologies such as WiMAX and Long Term Evolution (LTE). The presentation covered: broadband developments in general; bandwidth requirements of different applications; latest Wi-Fi developments; an overview of current cellular networks; definitions of first generation to fourth generation (4G) technologies; technology evolution over the next five years; network architectures; capabilities as well as limitations; fixed-mobile convergence; femtocells; mobile platform developments including smartphones, netbooks and smartbooks; and applications best suited for wireless.
July	Summer Party: We had a great time getting to know each other better at our Summer Party. Bambinos Learning Center in Hood River was the perfect venue and Cathedral Ridge Winery helped us loosen up. Board member Lee Ast made a terrific Grill Master, turning out perfect burgers and hot dogs. Thanks everyone for making it fun!
June	Using High-Tech Toys for Fun and Business Innovation: Brad Schrick from Insitu hosted this well-attended meeting about how high tech toys are being used in the Gorge for fun and for business innovation. Aram Soghikian and Jeff Blackman with the Gorge Robotics Club showed videos and demonstrated what their group has been busy creating. Pete Biltoft with Vintage Vibe Guitars had a video about the robotics created for his business by a few Hood River Valley High School students and Kip Jackson wowed the crowd with his radio-controlled helicopter and airplane. The presenters also discussed how many of the tech businesses utilize Hood River Hobbies for development of their products and how local kids can get involved with the robotics scene and plan a career using these fun resources.
May	Taking Advantage of Overlooked Tax Credits: We had two great presentations at this meeting. First, Tony Hnyp of RnD Consultants explained R&D tax credits. Proper utilization of the research and development credit program can add tens of thousands of dollars of immediate cash flow to your business. Most companies typically claim less than a third of what is available to them! Tony is available to assess your company's R&D potential for free. Visit rndcredits.com to learn more. Second, Ken Pearson, a Commercial Solar Consultant from Advanced Energy Systems, discussed business energy tax credits. By going solar, businesses can invest their tax dollars in a long term financial asset and become part of Oregon’s solar future. Ken outlined tax options, the various avenues for acquiring grant money and what to consider when choosing a systems integrator. Ken's company is available for solar assessments of your business, primarily in Oregon. To learn more, visit www.aesrenew.com .
April	Classroom Partnerships with Technology Industries: Alan Cunningham, head of the Science and Technology Department with Arlington School District and the 2008 TechStart Technology Educator of the Year, discussed how he's successfully engaged the technology industry in the classroom. These partnerships help educate our future technology leaders and get them involved in a lifelong love of science and technology.
March	*Out of the Box Business Financing Options:* Nancy Sliwa moderated a very informative panel discussion on Gorge alternatives to bank lending programs. Panelists included Eric Nerdin, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District; Peggy Bryan, Skamania County Economic Development Council; Jon Davies, Gorge Angel Investor Network 2; Gary Rains, Oregon Investment Board; Mary Merrill, Small Business Development Center; Neal Price, private investor; and Bill Fashing, Mount Hood Economic Alliance. Discussions included ideas for funding sources to help businesses hire more employees, test new ideas, buy additional equipment, and receive training. Various grant and loan programs were highlighted, as well as opportunities for businesses to simultaneously work with several of the organizations participating in the panel. For contact information for any of the panelists, email Jessica@crgta.org.
February	Changes in Government Contracting (Mostly Military): Several experts (see contact information below) in federal government contracting with contacts in D.C. spoke at the February meeting of the Gorge Technology Alliance. The main theme was: what's going to be happening in government contracting - many things are changing and there's a lot of potential for our region. There was also a presentation from the Software Association of Oregon about their newly launched Group Healthcare plan which GTA members may be eligible for. Visit the SAO website for more information. Brice Barrett, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition. Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition’s website: www.pndc.us Jim Beall, Partner, Ball Janik LLP. Ball Janik’s website: www.balljanik.com/ Timothy D. Robinson, Partner, Wells Robinson Sundberg, Inc. Wells Robinson Sundberg, Inc.’s website: www.wrsfinancial.com
2008
*November*	*Green on the Go: Alternative Transportation Technology Show* The Gorge Technology Alliance hosted an exciting public event highlighting alternative transportation technologies in Hood River. Attendees interested in green and high-tech transportation were able to see up-close the latest hybrids and plug-in electric cars, motorbikes and scooters. Exhibitors from dealerships displayed their vehicles, answered questions and scheduled test drives. They were joined by representatives from a diverse group of alternative transportation stakeholders talking about ways to reduce carbon footprints while getting where you need to go. *Selling Your IT/ Tech Business* Bob Chalfin, author of Selling Your IT Business shared practical suggestions for leaders to build into their business plans before they consider selling their companies. Attendees running or working for a tech company benefited by learning how to best structure a business for a future sale. This event was presented in conjunction with the Software Association of Oregon (www.sao.org).
October	*Trends in Employer-Provided Healthcare:* *What You Need to Know.* How will the coming changes at the state and national level affect businesses and employees in the complex and rapidly evolving healthcare marketplace? The Gorge Technology Alliance presented a panel discussion featuring leaders from the employer-provided healthcare field discussing the latest trends from across the industry. Topics included changes in Oregon law affecting employers, health care savings accounts, employee wellness programs and how to position your business.
*July*	*Another Inconvenient Truth* Ed Dietrich, Senior Vice President of Hologram Industries, a leading global maker of authentication and anti-counterfeiting technologies, leads the North American Business Development efforts at Hologram. Ed provided attendees with an overview of a problem which is increasingly affecting a wider number of businesses with often severe results. He also provided some techniques to help understand whether or not businesses are being affected and basic steps they can take to manage and minimize their risk.
June	Implementing Real-World Business Intelligence Solutions The importance of making timely, data-driven business decisions is well understood, but often the tools, techniques and practices needed to accomplish this goal are not. This seminar covered the techniques and technology needed to implement successful Business Intelligence including: Clearly defining Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence (DW/BI) key concepts Describing an integrated DW/BI technology platform; specifically using the MS SQL Server 2005 stack How to start building an Business Intelligence program Presented by Ben Muller, Senior BI Consultant, CSG Professional Services, Inc. Ben is an accomplished IT professional with significant management and reporting experience and hands-on involvement with business intelligence and reporting systems.
May	Down into the Deep Movie and talk by world renowned micro-biologist, Anna-Louise Reysenbach. Dr. Reysenbach studies acid loving and heat loving microbes that reside in one of the last frontiers on Earth - deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Opening comments by Nancy White, President of the GTA.
April	Hood River Valley High School Robotics The Hood River Valley High School Robotics team presented their experiences to the Gorge Technology Alliance membership. The students are engaged in a Robotics class and have built robots and attended a high school robotics competition. Instructor Jeff Blackman provided information about ways the GTA could assist in developing a Gorge-wide Robotics competition.
March	AUV's and Forest Robots, LLC Dean Edwards, University of Idaho professor in Mechanical Engineering Dept. and president of Forest Robots, LLC Description: Dean and his colleague John Canning presented the autonomous robotic research in his laboratory, and also discussed Forest Robots, a startup that is developing remote control equipment for logging and forest operations. Forest Robots was seeking technology and capital partners. For an overview of the research being conducted on autonomous underwater vehicles see the laboratory web site at http://www.mrc.uidaho.edu/cisr/. Next, check out the 'Logg Dogg' at Forest Robots website. To see the Forest Robot in action, click here.
March	Growing (or Starting) an Online Sales Channel Rob McCready, Summit Projects Lisa Williams, Media Forte Co-sponsored by GTA and SAO Selling and marketing online has rapidly become a powerful tool for advertizing, marketing and sales. At this interactive workshop participants learned from experts, and examples from businesses around the Gorge, about how to maximize their company’s website and leverage online resources.
February	Portland U.S. Export Assistance Center Brad Anderson website: http://www.buyusa.gov/oregon The Portland US Export Assistance Center helps small and medium sized Oregon and Southwest Washington companies develop international markets. View Powerpoint presentation. Click here.
2007
November	Connect to Your Career The Gorge Technology Alliance sponsored “Connect to Your Career” to bring together employers in the high tech industry with potential employees. Connect to Your Career is part of a quarterly networking series highlighting high tech firms in the Columbia River Gorge covering Skamania, Klickitat, Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties. This event resulted in employment for at least three job seekers.
November	R&R Sytech Karl Rozentals Mr. Rozentals presented a sales prospectus of his company to potential buyers. R&R Sy-Tec is a 35 year old firm that provides infrastructure inventory and engineering services to utility companies. The company is located in The Dalles and provides both off and on-site services to utility companies nationwide. The core product is a database driven software application that is typically bundled with other value added services.
October	The Connected Executive Kent Heighton website: http://www.gorgetec.com phone: 541-386-7409 Kent Heighton with Gorge Technology demonstrated how simple it is to access e-mail, calendar and contacts from a variety of devices as well as how effortless it is to access office documents remotely. Included a demonstration of new cell phone technology.
September	Entrepreneurs Foundation of the Northwest (EFNW) David Squire website: http://www.efnw.org phone: 503-944-2145 EFNW assists companies with the implementation of a community involvement program that matches their corporate culture and philanthropic interests with the many needs in the local community. EFNW is one of ten worldwide affiliates. The entrepreneur’s foundation concept was started in the Bay Area by venture capitalists who believed that philanthropy and community involvement should be a core part of a company’s culture, both for altruistic and business reasons, and that it should start at an early stage. There are over 400 corporate members worldwide. View Powerpoint presentation. Click here.
July	Rains Marketing; CenterPointe Community Bank Gary Rains and Mahlon Vigesaa Rains website: www.rainsmarketing.com Rains Marketing provides marketing, advertising, web print, and public relations services. One client they are currently working with is CenterPointe Community Bank, which is in the process of starting a new bank in Hood River. Mahlon, COO of the new bank, discussed the process of starting a bank and the technology they will use. Describing the goal of the bank as "High Touch, High Tech," Mahlon noted that the bank will be using multiple high tech systems to achieve quick turnaround on loan decisions and payment of checks. Systems include remote capture, Positive Pay, electronic document filing, complete web-enabled banking, and more.
June	Embarq... not just a Green Sprint Peter Talmage Embarq "Embarq... not just a Green Sprint" was the title of Peter's presentation to the GTA in June. Embarq used to be the local telecom division of Sprint. As a telecom provider in the Gorge, Embarq is focusing on their established service area and expanding their ethernet footprint with voice, data, wireless, bundled services, and managed and professional services. Peter noted that Embarq has invested $44,000 in contributions and sponsorships in the Gorge and $5.2 million to expand local network capabilities.
May	Small Business Development Center Mary Merrill Phone: 541-506-6121 Website: http://www.cgcc.cc.or.us/SBDC/ Mary provided information about the Small Business Development Center's free counseling services, classes, and opportunities to assist in starting, growing and retaining small businesses in the Columbia Gorge.
April	Oregon StRUT (Students Recycling Used Technology) Marty Willie Students involved in StRUT evaluate, repair and refurbish donated computers which are donated to local schools. The educational component of the program provides an opportunity for students to become comfortable with technology. The program also offers training for teachers, recycling events, and technology workshops. Individuals with used technology can drop items off at participating high schools, at the StRUT warehouse, or at the Hood River Transfer Station. There is a $10 charge for monitor recycling and the program does not accept televisions, but is able to take almost any other electronic device. Currently, the program is in Hood River and Wasco County schools, but would like to expand to schools in Skamania and Klickitat counties.
March	Emerging Technologies in Banking Mark Flaming Frontier Ventures Mark is a consultant for investors in microfinance and banking regulators. He provided information relating to how emerging technologies allow banking through individual's cellphones and the ways in which this increases the potential for the microfinance industry. The convergence of the spread of mobile phone service and the growth of the microfinance industry has created additional opportunities for previously "unbanked" individuals.
February	Innovative Composite Engineering (ICE) Steve Maier Phone: 509-493-4484 Web:www.innovativecomposite.com ICE, founded in 1989, builds composite structures, which are fibers bound by resin and epoxy. The fibers are unidirectional to strengthen and maximize performance. ICE's markets are primarily international, but diverse in a number of areas including auto, military, and recreation, among others. They remains competitive in the market, because they have an advantage in being able to produce large tubing and are sensitive to their customer's market. They are instrumental in developing new markets for a company because they "build one part for only one company to give them a competitive advantage."
January	Summit Projects Craig Sabina Phone: 541-387-8883 Web: www.summitprojects.com Summit Projects is a full-service interactive agency offering creative design, strategy, technology, and service to long term-clients. Summit Projects is a GTA member.
2006
October	OSBDCN T-Team Rob Gardier Web: www.bizcenter.org Rob Gardier is a technology consultant with the Oregon Small Business Development Center. As a member of the T-team, Rob provides specialized, team based consulting for “high growth opportunity” businesses. These are businesses who aspire to serve regional, national and/or global markets, are passionate about the technology they use and are struggling with some aspect of financing, marketing or operations. Core competencies of the T-team include: Technology Transfer/Commercialization Intellectual Property R&D Funding/SBIR Alternative Financing Technology Networking/Resource Identification. Read full meeting notes.
September	Gorge.net Glenn Phillips Web: www.gorge.net Glenn presented Gorge.net's new VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) product, a cost effective communication tool that allows the company to offer local telephone services. The service features two redundant fiber networks. Gorge.net owns the entire connection from the site to the consumer. Plans are available for businesses, corporations, and residences. For information about customizable plans and VoIP services, GTA members can call the Gorge.net sales department. Read full meeting notes.
May	Hood River Valley High School Jeff Blackman Jeff Blackman is a Mathematics/Professional Technical High School teacher who started the electric car program a few years ago. His students presented their electric car project.
February	Hood Technology Corporation Andreas von Flotow Tel:(541) 387-2288 Web: www.hoodtech.com Started in 1993 by Dr. Andreas von Flotow, then Associate Professor in Astronautics & Aeronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Hood is a well established group of mechanical, electrical and computer technologists, including Dr. Mathieu Mercadal (MIT, Dassault Aviation), and Mike Drumm (ExSell inc., & Test Devices). Major expertise is in dynamics and controls, electronic design and mechanical design, testing and experimental procedures, and data acquisition. Dr. von Flotow talked about how he started his business and what Hood Tech provides its diverse customers. Major products areas include: Blade vibration monitoring systems for high cycle fatigue in jet engines and steam turbines High cycle fatigue eddy current excitation systems System for detection and tracking of low cycle fatigue cracks in rotating structures Miniature gyro-stabilized camera turret for surveillance & UAV applications Airframe vibration absorbers for aircraft and helicopters UAV engine development
January	Synergy Financial Associates Roy L Rasera Tel: (503) 221-1226, Cell: (503) 319-7697 Web: www.SynergyFinancialAssociates.net With experience in Real Estate investing, Options strategies, Insurance integration, retirement plans and more, Roy helps clients achieve happiness, wealth, and success. Using macro-economic approach he focuses on how money works by exploring the validity of economic strategies -- allowing for optimized use of every dollar. In this presentation Roy explored some pervasive Financial Fallacies widely promoted to the general public. The discussion also included information on the following wealth-limiting strategies: traditional retirement and college planning, issues with compound interest in taxable accounts, drawbacks of retirement accounts, pre-paying mortgages, inefficient insurance structures, buy term and invest the difference, and others.
2005
December	Accessibility: Web Architecture, Design and Development Presenter: Jeanette Fairless, Semio Solutions www.semiosolutions.com jfairless@semiosolutions.com Baby boomers are hitting 60 at a rapid pace. Demand for accessibility to Web based content for this growing demographic will continue to increase. This brings a challenge to Web architects and designers who need to make changes in their approach to Web development. The US has modified the ADA (Americans for Disability Act) to require Web site accessibility but few sites are being developed to that standard. These standards reflect the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines established by the World Wide Web Consortium.
November	Product Lifecycle Management Lilia Hirr Laila described the challenges of outsourcing design and production when it comes to information exchange and product information collaboration. She addressed the question of: why are tools like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems not supporting the increasingly multi-site product development and production processes? She provided a high level view of where product information is being used and how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are paving the way towards improving your innovative effectiveness.
October	Nursing Education Merges With Computing Technology Marilyn McGuire-Sessions, RN, MSN Director of Nursing & Health Occupations Columbia Gorge Community College (541)506-6140 Email: msessions@cgcc.cc.or.us The program featured the use of a simulation robot for clinical studies and discussed the importance of simulation technology as a tool in the education of health care providers. The CGCC Simulation Lab is a teaching modality that allows students to demonstrate clinical judgment without jeopardizing lives.
September	What it Means to be a High-Tech Entrepreneur Rick Leatherman, President and CEO First Silicon Solutions, Inc. Phone: (503) 489-0311 Email: info@fs2.com The program featured Rick Leatherman, President and CEO of First Silicon Solution. As an entrepreneur, Rick has started, grown and sold several high tech companies over the past 20 years. On September 6th he sold FS2 to MIPS Technologies. Rick talked to us about: How to start and build a high-tech company Why a business plan is a necessity What to look for in an exit strategy When to take the money and move on
July	The Future of Columbia Gorge Community College Dr. Frank Toda, President Columbia Gorge Community College 400 East Scenic Drive The Dalles, OR 97058 (541) 506-6000 Dr. Frank Toda is the President of Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Oregon. He is responsible for the administration of a regional district serving 6,000 students from all areas of the Columbia Gorge. The College accounts for $12.1 million dollars of annual earnings in Wasco County and portions of Hood River and Sherman Counties. $3.6 million dollars annually are a direct result of wages and salaries paid by the College. In 2002, the College celebrated its 25th year as an organization focused on the needs and expectations of our local community.
May	Insitu Facilities Tour Insitu Group 118 East Columbia River Way Bingen, Washington USA 98605 tel: 509-493-8600 Insitu Group hosted the meeting, which consisted of both a presentation by President/CEO Steve Sliwa as well as a tour of the Insitu facility. Insitu makes miniature robotic aircraft for civilian and military applications. Founded by Tad McGeer in 1994 the company has performed flight operations throughout the world and operated the first UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Insitu signed a long-term strategic alliance with Boeing in 2002 and has most recently seen its vehicles used by the Marines in Iraq to great advantage, saving many lives.
February	Report from the Ports Dianne Sherwood, Executive Director Phone: 509 493-1655 Fax: 509 493-4257 Email: pok@gorge.net At the last meeting someone asked to get more information about the Ports in the region - the role they play in economic development as well as available properties. Sooooo - this discussion focused on new information from great partners that can help us realize our mission and goals. In addition the GTA elected a slate of officers for our newly formalized group.
2004	Funding for Small Businesses MCEDD (Mid-Columbia Economic Development District) pulled together a a panel session including the MCEDD loan fund, banks, small business development center (business plans), and business that received help. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES The state employment services in Oregon and Washington pulled together a panel session including state economist indicating employment trends, reps reporting on training programs, on-line methods for locating employees, grants for companies who sponsor training programs, and a sample person seeking employment after going through a training program on the local community college (who was hired by one of the attendees). CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS Dr. Mort Feinberg, author of several management books including “Why Smart People Do Dumb Things!” gave a presentation on characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and leaders. It was quite humorous and informative and questions afterwards lasted for almost an hour.