North Shore Technology Council Elects New Board Members

The North Shore Technology Council (NSTC), the volunteer-led, nonprofit technology trade association for northeastern Massachusetts today announced the election of its fiscal year 2012/2013 president, executive committee and three new operations board members.

James L. Kawski, Manager of Market Research and Communications, Applied Materials, of Gloucester, MA and a South Hamilton, MA resident was elected President of the NSTC.  He said, “This next year is important as we begin our new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative. We’ve heard loud and clear from our members that we need to be developing the next generation of high-tech employees. We’re embarking on a three-year program to really get this program to take root.”

Similar to other parts of the state and the nation, Kawski said that many North Shore technology companies struggle to fill open positions for lack of qualified applicants. He said NSTC sees a lot of potential for economic development and job growth in the area, but in order to remain viable, the North Shore needs more individuals with science, engineering and math skills.

Kawski said, “To that end, we are beginning efforts to reach out to business and education leaders so that we can cultivate a system whereby schools and students can easily connect with the business community to learn about higher education and skills training options that will land them long-term, good-paying jobs.”

Helping Kawski and the NSTC reach that goal are five newly elected executive committee members who will serve one-year terms, concurrently with their board seats. They are:

• Executive Vice President – David Reibel, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Aspect Software of Chelmsford, MA and an Ipswich, MA resident.

• Vice President – Tom Kinneman, Senior Vice President & General Manager/Operations Director, North Shore InnoVentures of Beverly, MA and a resident of North Andover, MA.

• Vice President – Timothy J.  Lasonde, President/Partner, NSK Inc. of Boston, MA and a resident of Methuen, MA.

• Treasurer – Gordon W. Ulen, CPA of Retirement Financial Center of Danvers, MA and a West Peabody, MA resident.

• Secretary – Janice Forsstrom, VP, Administration and Finance/CFO, North Shore Community College of Danvers, MA and a Peabody, MA resident.

The new operations board members elected are:

• Doug Cox, VP, with Hub International of New England of Wilmington, MA and is a resident of the same community.

• Peter DiNardo, Regional Account Manager with Meridian Systems of Folsom, CA and a resident of Topsfield, MA.

• John Weaver, CPA with Berry Dunn of Manchester, NH and a resident of North Andover, MA.

“The NSTC would also like to thank its outgoing board members Ed Adams, Keith Boudreau, Paul Fenton, Eric Husgen, Harry McCoy, Lorie Skolski, and Steve Snyder. The North Shore Technology Council is a volunteer led organization that couldn’t have experienced 10 years of growth and success without the commitment of our many volunteers,” said Kawski. He added, “A special thanks goes to John Colucci, our past president who helped grow our organization with new special interest groups and formed new connections with other regional technology groups that help support our membership.”

For a full listing of the North Shore Technology Council board of directors and operations board, visit www.nstc.org.