Steven G. Zylstra, Chairman, President and CEO of Arizona Technology Council, Named Chairman of Technology Councils of North America

PHOENIX, Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Laying out an aggressive agenda of change, Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, assumed the role of Chairman of the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) for a two year term at the conclusion of the organization's summer conference in Minneapolis last week. Comprised of nearly 50 technology councils representing more than 16,000 member technology companies throughout the United States, Canada and Finland, TECNA is known for its focus on issues important to the technology industry.

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In his new role, Zylstra heads a 13-member executive committee at TECNA as it transitions from a loose federation of councils into a cohesive association. Signaling its new direction, the group recently hired its first executive director, Bob Moore, CAE, who will be based at the Chicago-area headquarters of partner organization CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association.

"In addition to welcoming Steve to this new role, we wish to acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the leadership Tino Mantella provided during his tenure as President of TECNA," said Moore. "Steve brings his own unique talents and proven leadership skills to the organization, and collectively, we will continue to leverage our influence on issues and policies that will advance the technology industry."

Under Zylstra's leadership, TECNA is planning several new activities in addition to its public policy initiatives including a national gala to provide local technology Council award winners an opportunity for further recognition, a national survey tailored for a national perspective on the industry and a state of the industry report with state-by-state information that would be aggregated and shared with lawmakers at the federal level.

"TECNA provides regional technology associations with a significantly expanded network of industry knowledge, connections and expertise," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "I'm honored to lead the organization in an effort to heighten its influence in a burgeoning industry that continues to play an increasingly significant role in global economic development, job growth and improving the lives of people everywhere."

Zylstra assumed the role of president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council in December of 2007. He is responsible for strategy, development, operations and accomplishment of policy development, business goals and objectives and all financial matters related to the Council.

From 2000 to 2007, Zylstra served as president and CEO of both the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Catalyst Connection. He concurrently served as president and CEO of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center and the Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology, both tech-based economic development-focused organizations. Additionally, Zylstra was president of the Pittsburgh Biomedical Development Corporation, an affiliated organization of the Pittsburgh Technology Council that invests in start-up biomedical and biotechnology companies.

While in Arizona in the 1980's and 1990's, he was a co-founder and member of the Governor's Arizona Science and Technology Council, as well as a co-founder and past chairman of the Arizona Innovation Network. Zylstra also was a member of the Governor's Arizona Partnership for the New Economy, and he served as director and Executive Committee member of the Arizona Technology Incubator. In addition to numerous other leadership roles, he also served as chairman of the Governor's Strategic Partnership for Economic Development, High Technology Industry Cluster.

Zylstra also spent the 1980s and 1990s as an engineer and executive in the aerospace and defense industry.

Zylstra currently is a member of the Arizona District Export Council and (U.S.) Council on Competitiveness, the Board of Trustees of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and serves on numerous other committees and boards.  He earned a earned a bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering Technology from Western Michigan University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in Technology from the University of Advancing Technology.

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona's premier trade association for science and technology companies.  Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry.  These interactions contribute to the Council's culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org

About TECNA
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) represents almost 50 IT and Technology trade organizations that, in turn, represent more than 16,000 technology-related companies in North America.  TECNA serves its members and the industry through its strong peer-to-peer network and its regional initiatives to raise the visibility and viability of the technology industry.

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SOURCE Arizona Technology Council