Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today announced Renzo Soto as Executive Director for Texas and the Southeast Region. Based in Austin, Soto will oversee TechNet’s state advocacy in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina. His first day will be November 6.

“TechNet’s state advocacy program is highly effective and remains the most valued part of our organization,” said TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore. “Renzo’s experience in the Texas legislature and knowledge of key issues impacting our industry will allow us to better advocate for policies that will help us win the next era of innovation. We’re thrilled Renzo is joining our team.”

Soto joins TechNet after serving as a policy advisor at Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank, where he developed and advocated for the organization’s higher education and workforce policy agendas. Prior to that, Soto was Executive Director of the Texas House Women’s Health Caucus, where he managed operations for a bipartisan group of more than 40 state representatives. Soto has also worked as a legislative director for Texas State Representative Donna Howard, legislative aide for Texas State Representative Armando Walle, and intern for former U.S. Congressman Gene Green. Soto is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

“Renzo’s experience working in and with the Texas Legislature and his understanding of the key policies within the Southeast Region will be invaluable to our team. Renzo will deliver results and provide outstanding counsel for our members as we head into the upcoming legislative sessions,” said David Edmonson, TechNet’s Vice President of State Policy and Government Relations.

“I have seen firsthand TechNet’s excellence in championing strong state-level policies that advance the pioneering work of the tech industry,” said Soto. “I am ecstatic to join such an accomplished and successful team. I look forward to advocating for policies that support our member companies as they continue to spur innovation and economic growth across the region and country.”

TechNet’s 50-state advocacy program is focused on legislative and regulatory advocacy across the country, relationship-building among member companies and policymakers, policy expertise and influence, and local support for federal initiatives.

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

  • ‍California and the Southwest Region which, in addition to California, covers Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The region is led by Dylan Hoffman, who is based in Sacramento.
  • Colorado and the Central U.S. Region which, in addition to Colorado, covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, 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, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, 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.
  • 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 Ashley Sutton, who is based in Olympia.