MHTA Committees
MHTA Committee Structure and Participation
There are two categories of MHTA committees:
1) Policy and Programs Committees, and 2) Board Operations Committees.
All policy and programs committees are open to all MHTA members (any individual from any MHTA member company who wishes to participate). Board operations committees are made up of members of the MHTA board of directors and are elected or appointed positions.
Policy committees are responsible for managing the public policy issues that affect the growth and sustainability of Minnesota’s technology-based economy. Programs are aligned with policy to create visibility of the issues as well as the leadership role MHTA plays in dealing with issues. Ultimately, MHTA visibility drives the ability to influence and impact policy.
MHTA Policy & Program Committees – Open to All Members
Government Affairs
Purpose: To effectively advocate the position of MHTA’s member companies on key legislative concerns to state legislators, candidates and government entities
Chair: David Minkkinen (Bearing Point)
Staff: Peter Lindstrom
Meeting Schedule: Meets every other week during session. When the legislature is not in session, the committee meetings are as scheduled by Chair
Objectives:
- Promote a concise and clear legislative agenda comprised of issues that affect MHTA member companies and the high-tech business community
- Actively advocate MHTA’s position to legislators, candidates and government entities to deliver positive action on MHTA’s positions
- Broadly communicate MHTA’s legislative position to member companies, the business community and to the public
- Provide a vehicle for MHTA committees to address legislative issues
Higher Education
Purpose: To work with and partner with the higher education institutions in Minnesota as they relate to technology transfer and education
Chair: Scott Vogel (Unisys)
Staff: Peter Lindstrom
Meeting Schedule: The third Wednesday of each month from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Objectives:
- To identify, develop and promote partnerships between higher education and Minnesota's high tech industry
- To evaluate effectiveness of the University and other higher education institutions and to develop and promote recommendations that will assist it in becoming a leading research institute
- To advocate for Minnesota's position as a high tech center of excellence
K-12 Education, focusing on STEM
Purpose: To identify and develop programs and policy positions that support K12 STEM initiatives.
Chair: Mark Klein (Accelare)
Staff: Taylor Pettis
Meeting Schedule: 1st Thursday of every month from 4:00-6:00 PM.
Objectives:
- To help Minnesota's children and parents understand the current and future education requirements in a knowledge society
- To review and advise K-12 and secondary education requirements with regard to high tech industry requirements (focus on weak math skills of students)
- To advise and work closely with higher education institutions on industry needs
- To attend and speak at Minnesota sponsored educational events about needs in a knowledge society
MHTA Programs
Purpose: To provide MHTA members with quality educational and networking programs and events and to create a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing among individuals and corporations that helps improve the business operations of Minnesota technology companies. Multiple sub-committees exist, including committees for Tekne, the Spring Conference, and the ACE Leadership Program.
Staff: Staff assigned by event
Meeting Schedule: Meetings are as scheduled by Chairs
Objectives:
- To support MHTA staff in the planning and execution of MHTA events and programs
- To provide support and oversight (including budget) to the individual event and program committees
- To ensure that all programs and events support the MHTA mission and goals; adjust programming and events as necessary
- To develop and promote programming that benefits MTHA member companies and Minnesota’s high tech community
- To coordinate and support the activities of other MHTA policy and programs committees
- To identify and develop partnerships with other organizations that support and enhance MHTA programs
MHTA Membership
Purpose: To increase member involvement as well as overall membership, to increase membership awareness, value and utilization of MHTA services and minimize member “churn.”
Chair: Matt Kucharski (Padilla Speer Beardsley)
Staff: Jenny Manogue
Meeting Schedule: Meetings are typically the fourth Thursday of each month, 7:30 – 9 a.m., or as scheduled by Chair
Objectives:
- To support MHTA staff in establishing and implementing a dues and sponsorship structure that aligns member needs with benefits derived and that remains flexible to individual member desires
- To support MHTA staff in engaging Board members and members at-large in new and renewing member solicitations
- To support MHTA staff in obtaining and maintaining information systems needed to enhance membership acquisition, member involvement and membership retention processes
- To support MHTA staff in establishing reporting mechanisms that allow for advanced and timely identification of upcoming critical member renewals as well as timely reporting of member activity to the Board
MHTA Board Operations Committees – Elected or Appointed Positions; committee members must be members of MHTA Board of Directors
Audit Committee
Purpose: Ensure fiscally responsible management of MHTA assets
Chair: Ralph Weinberger (KPMG)
Compensation Committee
Purpose: Determine MHTA President’s compensation and bonus
Chair: Wendell Maddox (Ion Corporation)
Executive Committee
Purpose: To exercise the authority of the Board in the management of the Association subject to the control and direction of the Board.
Chair: Wendell Maddox (Ion Corporation)
Governance
Purpose: To make recommendations to the Board of Directors on Board management, policy and strategic issues of the Association
Chair: Janice Aune
Nominating Subcommittee (of Governance)
Purpose: To nominate MHTA officers, board members and executive committee members
Chair: Janice Aune
