Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today announced the expansion of its 50-state advocacy program by adding a sixth region, the Colorado and Central U.S. Region, and plans to hire an executive director for the region.

TechNet’s new region will cover Colorado, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. The executive director will be based in Denver, Colorado.

“TechNet’s state program continues to be one of the most highly regarded parts of our organization by our members. The decision to add a sixth region will give all of our executive directors the ability to better manage and respond to the growing number of bills being introduced at the state level,” said TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore. “Colorado is an emerging tech hub and we are thrilled to expand our presence in the state to better serve our members.”

“This year, TechNet has engaged on legislation in all 50 states. The new executive director will help us better cover, analyze, and respond to legislation in state capitals across the country by reducing the number of states covered by our current team. With fewer states to monitor, our executive directors will be even more effective and more engaged with members and legislators on the issues that matter most to them,” said David Edmonson, TechNet’s Vice President of State Policy and Government Relations.

After the addition of the new Colorado and Central U.S. Region, TechNet’s 50-state advocacy program will also include:

  • California and the Southwest Region which, in addition to California, will cover Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. The region is led by Cameron Demetre and Lia Nitake, who are based in Sacramento.
  • Illinois and the Midwest Region which, in addition to Illinois, will cover Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The region is led by Tyler Diers, who is based in Chicago.
  • Massachusetts and the Northeast Region which, in addition to Massachusetts, will cover Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The region is led by Chris Gilrein, who is based in Boston.
  • Texas and the Southeast Region which, in addition to Texas, will cover Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The region is led by Servando Esparza, who is based in Austin.
  • Washington and the Northwest Region which, in addition to Washington, will cover Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Dakota. The region is led by Samantha Kersul, who is based in Olympia.

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

To view the Colorado and Central U.S. Region executive director opening, click here.