The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) announced today that Lisa Schlosser will serve as interim president. Margaret Anderson Kelliher, MHTA president from January 2011 until recently, has been appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the next Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Schlosser will lead the association while the MHTA board of directors conducts a thorough and extensive search for a long-term replacement.
A former speaker for the Minnesota House of Representatives, Kelliher brou
ght a bounty of legislative expertise to MHTA. She helped the organization position Minnesota as an attractive state for start-up and established technology businesses, built Minnesota’s leading STEM internship program, placing over 1,300 college-level interns in small Minnesota companies and supported efforts such as Minnesota’s Angel Investment Tax Credit bill. In addition, MHTA has assisted multiple startups and existing companies through the MN-SBIR program. Minnesota is ranked 8th in the U.S. according to the newly released Milken Institute 2018 State Technology and Science Index.
“MHTA represents so many voices in the Minnesota technology community, and I feel like I was able to expand the state’s future workforce, advocated for its members and built partnerships across the state,” said Kelliher. “I will miss serving as president of MHTA, but I am confident that Lisa will continue to promote the growth of Minnesota’s technology-based economy.”
In addition to serving as the MHTA board chair, Schlosser has more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry, most recently serving as the vice president and 
chief technology officer for FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters business. She received a bachelor’s degrees from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in mathematics and computer science. She is also on the board of trustees for the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Anita Borg Institute.
“We’re sad to see Margaret go, as she has been an advocate for Minnesota’s technology ecosystem and has succeeded in leading and expanding MHTA over the last eight years. That said, we’re excited for the next step in her journey and know that she will continue to be a strong supporter of the organization,” said Scott Singer, chair of the board for MHTA and CSIO for PaR Systems.
“Through her previous positions on the board and extensive public service, Lisa brings excellent experience collaborating with individuals and organizations, great familiarity with managing complex projects and strong communication skills to the position,” Singer added. “Lisa is a proven leader, and we are excited to utilize her strengths to promote the growth and sustainability of the state’s technology companies.”
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve as interim president of MHTA,” said Schlosser. “I am passionate about technology and public service and in building a strategy that is in lock step with business goals. I will continue to build on the legacy Margaret has developed at MHTA and am excited to make an impact in Minnesota’s growing technology scene.”
