Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council and Roanoke - Blacksburg Innovation Network align
Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia (PRWEB) August 18, 2014 -- The boards of directors for the Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) and the Roanoke - Blacksburg Innovation Network (RBIN) have today announced that they are strategically aligning in order to accomplish their shared objectives.
Jonathan Whitt, currently executive director of the RBIN, will add to his duties and become president and chief executive officer of the RBTC as of September 1.
“As an organization dedicated to supporting and building the growing technology sector in our region, we knew we needed to be innovative in how we look at our own structure,” said Sam English, chairman of the board of directors for the RBTC. “This alignment with RBIN reflects our desire to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial and innovation efforts while simplifying our message.”
As part of the arrangement, the two organizations will align their resources, including staffing and office space, to become more efficient. Together, the RBTC and the RBIN will focus on shared objectives that will position the Roanoke - Blacksburg region well within the larger technology community:
• Using resources more effectively and efficiently
• Increase technology-based start-up activity
• Develop the region’s supply of technical talent
• Connect the technology community to regional resources
• Market the region’s technology assets
• Build a regional innovation ecosystem.
“The mindset and culture of our community are our most important ingredients for growth,” said Jonathan Whitt, president and CEO of the RBTC. “Aligning the two organizations will help us better promote that culture while engaging our membership and regional stakeholders.”
The Future of the RBIN
The genesis of the Roanoke - Blacksburg Innovation Network began more than two years ago with the development of a strategic roadmap called the Innovation Blueprint. The Innovation Blueprint addressed how to harness the region’s assets, positioning them for growth by making targeted investments in several critical areas (entrepreneurial development, industry-education partnerships and talent development/recruitment).
RBIN’s objectives will not change as it aligns with the RBTC. Instead, the RBTC will be the primary implementer of RBIN initiatives going forward.
“The connection between the RBTC and RBIN has existed since the very beginning,” said Marty Muscatello, chairman of the board of directors for the RBIN. “The strengthening of the bond between these two organizations represents a strategic focus on using our resources wisely and having the greatest possible impact on the region’s entrepreneurial and innovation efforts.”
Proven Leadership with a Familiar Face
Jonathan Whitt, who was hired in January as the first executive director of the Roanoke - Blacksburg Innovation Network, will add to his duties and become the first President and CEO of the RBTC. Whitt has a strong reputation both in Virginia and nationally of working closely with leaders from the business, government and higher education sectors to advance the mission of developing an innovation ecosystem.
“We count ourselves lucky to have Jonathan already within our midst,” said English. “Jonathan already knows our community, he knows technology, and he grasps the vision of our community that we aspire to. Top that off with the experience he has from his time with Region 2000 and he is a perfect fit for what we need.”
Whitt graduated from Ranken Technical College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Management and holds professional certification as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Prior to joining the RBIN, he spent almost 11 years at the helm of the Region 2000 Technology Council.
ABOUT THE ROANOKE - BLACKSBURG TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL (RBTC)
The Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council is a non-profit member-driven association of businesses and organizations in the greater Roanoke - Blacksburg region, working together to promote the growth and success of the region's technology sector. Its membership includes more than 230 organizations. The RBTC is the leading resource for the region’s growth and success. It exists to connect and unite the region’s technology community, develop and educate thought-leaders, mentors and the technology workforce, and improve access to talent. To learn more, please visit http://www.thetechnologycouncil.com.
ABOUT THE ROANOKE - BLACKSBURG INNOVATION NETWORK (RBIN)
The Roanoke - Blacksburg Innovation Network is a non-profit organization working to develop an innovation ecosystem in the Roanoke and New River Valleys of Virginia through entrepreneurial development, talent development and recruitment, and fostering partnerships between industry and higher education. To learn more, please visit http://www.rbin.us.
Christina Sullivan, Roanoke - Blacksburg Technology Council, http://thetechnologycouncil.com, +1 540-840-4511, [email protected]
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