President & Chief Executive Officer

https://mhta.org/ www.ballingerleafblad.com
 President & CEO of Minnesota High Tech Association
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) is the state’s premier professional
association for technology companies, organizations, educational institutions and
government agencies that participate in the full spectrum of technology — IT,
advanced manufacturing, bio and life sciences and the fast growing clean, green and
edutech fields. Companies range from long-established corporations to small and
growing startups.

Minnesota currently ranks number 8 on the 2018 Milken Science and Technology
Index. This index incorporates 107 individual indicators that measure states on their
science and technology capabilities and broader commercialization ecosystems that
contribute to firm expansion, high-skills job creation, and broad economic growth.
Minnesota’s high rank demonstrates its successful foundation and preparedness for
future innovative economic competitiveness and adaptability.

The success and health of Minnesota’s technology community is the driving mission
of MHTA. The organization exists to facilitate sharing insights among industry peers,
counsel with and lobby government and K-20 academic leaders and create
environments where industry participants can connect with their peers and skilled
service providers.

MHTA has approximately 300 member companies, forty members on the Board of
Directors, eight members on the Minnesota High Tech Foundation board, and 10
employees.

Members of MHTA become part of a proven, powerful network of executives,

innovators and entrepreneurs working together to address the issues Minnesota
technology companies care about most. They tap into a wealth of resources for
raising capital and developing world-class talent for their organizations. They also
become part of a strong, unified industry voice for improving Minnesota’s business
environment.

Mission

Make Minnesota one of the country’s top-five technology states

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VALUE OF THE MINNESOTA HIGH TECH ASSOCIATION
As the driving force behind Minnesota’s technology ecosystem for 35 years, the
Minnesota High Tech Association gives a unified, influential voice to the state’s
technology businesses and marshals support from government, education and
community leaders and institutions. MHTA focuses its efforts in four pillars,
Workforce, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy. Technology veterans and
newcomers alike join MHTA to help propel the growth of their companies and
continue to grow Minnesota’s technology industry on a national and international
scale. Visit mhta.org for additional information on the programs and benefits MHTA
has to offer.

MHTA is a member of the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), a national

trade organization that represents 53 state and regional technology trade
organizations which in turn represent more than 22,000 technology-related
companies in North America. This partnership provides valuable insights into best
practices and collaboration among states.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

SciTechsperience
The SciTechsperience Internship Program connects college students in science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines to internships in small
Minnesota companies. Businesses that hire interns receive a dollar for dollar wage
match to cover 50 percent of wages paid, up to $2,500.

Through SciTechsperience, MHTA helps develop

Minnesota’s STEM workforce by providing hands-on
learning opportunities and keeping talented STEM
students in Minnesota after they graduate to
strengthen our innovation economy. Over 650
students have been placed in internships since the
program was established in 2012.

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MHTA Foundation/STEM
The MHTA Foundation supports the STEM Education and workforce career
continuum. Undergraduate students pursuing
STEM-related degrees are encouraged to
apply for STEM Scholarships through the
MHTA Foundation.

The MHTA Foundation has awarded

$541,000 to 135 undergraduate students
over the last 10 years.

MN SBIR
MHTA is now the Minnesota host of the Small Business Administration Federal and
State Technology Partnership Program, which works to help Minnesota firms
compete and win Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. From innovation, entrepreneurship, and
commercialization, MN-SBIR is the State’s focal point to assist seed, early stage,
emerging and existing firms (1-500 employees) to successfully access non-dilutive
federal funding through the SBIR and STTR Programs. MN-SBIR is funded in part
through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the
Department of Employment and Economic Development, University of Minnesota –
Office of Technology Commercialization, and MHTA.

Public Policy/Research
Public policy is at the core of MHTA. As MHTA works to help make Minnesota a top-
five science and technology state, it advocates for policies that enhance Minnesota’s
economic competitiveness and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
MHTA advocates for a range of issues, including: the Angel Tax Credit program; the
research and development tax credit; STEM internships; the data center sales tax
exemption; cybersecurity; statewide broadband deployment, along with other
technology and telecommunications issues.

Minnesota’s high-tech industries play an important role in fueling Minnesota’s

prosperity. It’s important to have a pulse on Minnesota’s innovation economy. To
help better inform and contribute to the dialogue regarding the innovation economy,
MHTA is devoting more attention to research. Research is focused on funding of
early-stage companies, workforce, and innovation

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THE POSITION…

President and CEO of Minnesota High Tech Association

The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minnesota High Tech
Association will provide strategic leadership for MHTA – the state's premier
technology professional association. MHTA serves as the unifying voice for the
technology and related sectors. The CEO has primary responsibility to support
growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Minnesota’s technology-based
economy through advocacy, collaboration and education. With an eye to educating,
influencing and uniting Minnesota’s technology community, the President and CEO of
MHTA is a catalyst in stimulating innovation and growth.

The CEO is responsible for delivering programs and services that align with the needs
of member businesses and organizations, developing key partnerships between
industry, academia, and government institutions, and growing MHTA membership.

This role calls for a leader who seeks to make an impact in the region through
meeting the changing needs of diverse members. Further, the CEO will be
comfortable with assessing and recommending changes both internal and external
to the organization. He or she will be a positive force, overseeing and cultivating a
positive employee culture focused on collaboration, creativity and service. The CEO
is both a visionary and a hands-on executor. He or she will employ an inclusive style
to listen and respond to pressing issues in the sector.

Essential Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership
• Develop and implement a 3 to 5-year strategic plan, in conjunction with the MHTA
Executive Committee, Board of Directors and staff leadership, providing clear
strategic priorities that grow and protect the technology industry in the state of
Minnesota. Develop and oversee excellence in yearly planning and the
operationalization of that plan in alignment to the strategic plan.
• Oversee all communication and marketing campaigns ensuring their alignment
with strategic priorities and the overall vision of MHTA goals.
• Create strategies that drive influence regarding state policy and funding that
ensure ongoing growth and development of Minnesota’s technology industry.

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Organizational Advancement
• Set a strategy for organizational advancement.
• Lead all MHTA initiatives aimed at cultivation, procurement and maintenance of
MHTA’s top industry investors and sponsors.
• Actively participate in the growth and retention of member base, while also
generating innovative offerings that create valuable connections, expand the
technology workforce, and foster strong successful partnerships.
• Act as chief spokesperson for MHTA, communicating powerfully and effectively
on issues that support the organizational goals and priorities.
• Build valuable connections and strong consensus, both inside and outside MHTA;
act as an ambassador and create greater visibility among the constituents of the
technology industry throughout the state.

Stakeholder Engagement
• Establish credibility, build trusted relationships and balance competing interests
evenly throughout MHTA and within all sectors of the broader stakeholder
community.
• Develop the Board of Directors and its related committee structure in
collaboration with the Board leadership to ensure optimal performance, goal
achievement and increased engagement. Foster diversity in board membership
and a strong succession plan.
• Prioritize and execute on key relationships among influential community partners;
sustain a unified "voice" and marshal corresponding support from government,
education and community leaders and institutions.

Finance and Operations

• Manage financial functions, including annual budget development and allocation,
and effective mid- and long-term forecasting and planning.
• Demonstrate consistent management of complex organizational and
administrative issues, while maintaining a strong course toward the mission and
core values of MHTA and its key stakeholders. Enable personal growth of staff and
acceptable retention metrics.
• In close collaboration with Board leadership, create and execute plans for
operational excellence that involve the systems, processes and personnel needs
that further develop the advancement of the organization.
• Develop, facilitate, and instruct the ACE Leadership program for developing and
connecting the regions next generation of leaders.

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Supervisory Responsibilities
The President & CEO reports to the Board of Directors of Minnesota High Tech
Association. Positions reporting directly to the President & CEO are the Director of
Finance & Administration, Director of Program Events and Sponsorship, Events and
Data Specialist, Director of SBIR/STTR Program Assistance, Director of Public Policy &
Research, Director of Membership and Sponsorship, and SciTechsperience Program
Director.

QUALIFICATIONS
The President & CEO will bring proven leadership, business acumen, and relationship
management experience and a commitment to MHTA’s mission. The ideal candidate
will possess the following qualifications and characteristics:

Essential Qualifications
• Over ten years in senior management experience in a non-profit, for-profit, or
government organization.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to direct the organization’s financial and budget activities to fund
operations, maximize investments, maintain positive outcomes, and increase
efficiency. Fiscal planning and management. P/L responsibility.
• Can cultivate a strong external presence through community involvement.
• Ability to direct, plan and implement policies, objectives and activities of the
organization to ensure continuing operations, maximize return on investments
and increase impact and successful outcomes.
• A high degree of ethical conduct, integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Desired Qualifications
• Passion for or experience in technology industry.
• Interest or experience in leading a member or professional organization and a
commitment to the value brought by member organizations.
• Proven experience growing an organization on a regional scale.
• Experience with lobbying/ government relations.
• Ability to develop excellent relations with members and recruit and retain
member organizations across technology types.
• Passion for evolving member needs, interests and ideas for learning, connection
and change.
• Skills in working with a Board of Directors and other constituents with a high
ability to cultivate relationships.
• Thought leadership in the technology space; a spirit of lifelong learning.
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Leadership and Communication Style
• A leadership style of awareness, presence, authenticity, empathy, and clarity.
• Experience in building an organizational culture with a high level of coaching,
employee engagement and collaboration.
• A positive approach to taking an organization through change.
• Outstanding communications skills (board, community and political).
• Excellence in external relations including public speaking to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build and retain strong, cross-functional teams.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The compensation package for this position is highly attractive and includes
participation in the organization’s benefits plan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information and to apply for the position, please contact:

Bob Schoenbaum Marcia Ballinger, PhD

Partner Of Counsel Co-Founder/Principal
612-280-1368 651-341-4840
bob@ballingerleafblad.com marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

CIVIC SEARCH REIMAGINED

Minnesota High Tech Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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PRESENTING THE TWIN CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL
When the Twin Cities hosted the Super
Bowl in 2018, it cast an international light
on what the organizing committee
dubbed “The Bold North.” It also gave the
world an up-close and personal view of
what those of us who live here already
knew. Minnesota Nice is for real.
The Twin Cities of Saint Paul and
Minneapolis are a unique blend of small
town and major cosmopolitan hub. Both
urban cores boast a thriving business
atmosphere. Saint Paul, as the state
capitol, is home to state government and
has a more historical vibe. Minneapolis is
the larger and more commercial of the
two cities. Outside of the central
downtowns, however, both cities have
many distinct neighborhoods, and
residents identify more with their
individual communities than with the
larger city as a whole. And the best news
is housing in most of our friendly
neighborhoods is affordable and
welcoming.
The Twin Cities lives up to its Bold North
tagline in every way. Residents enjoy four
very distinct seasons, none of which will let
you down.
According to the website WalletHub,
Minneapolis ranks 12th in America for cities
with the most green space. Both cities share
a common root of being river towns, and the
great outdoors is a major attraction for
residents and visitors alike. In addition to the
mighty Mississippi River, there are more than
900 lakes in the metro area and surrounding
suburbs, upwards of 300 parks, and miles of
biking and walking trails.
Nearly every weekend in the summer there
are several outdoor events for participants
and spectators—triathlons, biking races,
running races, boat races, water skiing
competitions, cultural celebrations, golf
tournaments, and more.
The summer highlight for many Minnesotans
is the Minnesota State Fair. One of the
largest of its kind in the country, ours is a
world-class showcase of Minnesota’s best in
agriculture, industry, arts and entertainment.
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Held on a 320-acre parcel located between
St. Paul and Minneapolis, it is a self-
supported organization and has been held
on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds every
year since 1885.
As summer turns to fall, the region puts
on a breathtaking autumn show that
draws visitors from miles around. While
fall is a fleeting spectacle, the active
lifestyle of Minnesotans doesn't go
dormant during the winter either.
Being hardy in every way, we take
advantage the miles of cross-country
skiing trails, downhill ski areas, ice skating,
snowmobiling, sledding, and ice fishing.
In recent years Minneapolis and St. Paul
have become two of the most diverse
cities in America. Almost six percent of
the population identifies as LGBTQ, with
many Twin Cities’ organizations in arts,
politics, culture, advocacy and religious
sectors serving the community.
Minnesota’s Somali community is one of
the largest in the United States. St. Paul is
the heart of Minnesota’s Hmong
community as well, and is home to the
largest urban concentration of Hmong
residents in the country. It is by design
that we’ve embraced such ethnic
uniqueness. Our multi-cultural
communities present us with diversity in
the workplace, a strong workforce and an
added bonus of getting to know the
world, and coming to understand
different cultures on a more intimate
scale right here at home.
One of the best places to get a taste of
our many blended cultures is Midtown
Global Market on Lake Street in
Minneapolis. Midtown Global Market is a
welcoming indoor market and meeting
place featuring an abundance of ethnic
dishes, gifts and groceries, from Mexican
and Middle Eastern to Vietnamese,
Indian, Swedish and Italian.
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Many Hmong and Vietnamese restaurants
and shops are located in the Frogtown
neighborhood as well, on and around
University and Lexington avenues.
Hmongtown Marketplace on Como
Avenue and Hmong Village on Johnson
Parkway on St. Paul’s East Side feature a
wide variety of traditional foods, clothing,
fabrics and crafts, as well as farmers
markets.
There are countless arts and culture
offerings in the Twin Cities. The Grammy
Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra has a
reputation as one of the top orchestras in
the world. The Saint Paul Chamber
Orchestra is also regarded as one of the
finest chamber orchestras in the world.
Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theater
has staged outstanding shows from the
classical to the modern. Popular national
shows and performers also tour through
the Twin Cities year-round at stages in
both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and at
the University of Minnesota.
If you are a theatre-goer in the Twin Cities
you’ll never have a dull moment.
According to the Western States Arts
Federation, Minneapolis ranks as the fifth-
most “creatively vital” city in the country,
right after D.C., LA, NYC and Boston. The
Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul is the
country’s oldest African American theater.
We boast more than 40 venues with a
variety that even the most seasoned
thespian would notice.
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There are the magnificent musicals that
play on the State, Orpheum, and Pantages
stages and lots of local talent making a
statement on stages such as the Southern
Theater, New Century, and Illusion.
Hamilton, Les Miserables and West Side
Story are a few examples of productions
that have played here. Theater is also a
large component of life in Saint Paul. The
gorgeous 1000-seat Fitzgerald Theatre
acts as Minnesota Public Radio’s largest
broadcast studio. Staged productions
commission authors, artists and radio
hosts to create programming for the
public radio community. The Fitzgerald
Theater is St. Paul’s oldest theater and
celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010.
The Ordway Center for the Performing
Arts has been recognized as one of
America’s leading not-for-profit
performing arts centers, and is home to a
wide variety of performances throughout
the year providing the finest in musical
theater, music, dance, and vocal artists in
its Music Theater and Concert Hall. In
addition, each year the Ordway presents
its Flint Hills Family Festival, serving more
than 50,000 children and adults through
its Ordway Education programs.
Dance companies such as James Sewell
Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre,
Ragamala, Zenon Dance Company and TU
Dance perform at an array of venues
including the renovated Cowles Center.
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For the museum-goer, there are more
than 60 museums in the metro area. The
Science Museum of Minnesota and the
Minnesota Children's Museum are
interactive learning facilities and fun
experiences for the entire family. The
African American Heritage Museum and
Gallery and the Minnesota History
Center are museum for all ages with
permanent and changing exhibits,
lectures and events.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a

collection of more than 100,000 pieces.
The Walker Art Center has been called
“possibly the best contemporary art
museum in the U. S.” by Newsweek,
and has over 11,000 pieces. The
University of Minnesota's Weisman Art Additionally, the stadium hosts early season
Museum is also a contemporary art college baseball games of the University of
destination. Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Somali Museum of Minnesota on East Popular music abounds, from the
Lake Street features hundreds of Grammy-winning Sounds of Blackness to
traditional Somali artworks and artifacts Atmosphere. Outdoor concerts and
as well as educational programs. festivals such as the Basilica Block Party
and Rock the Garden are a common and
For those who prefer activity of the popular activity. After all, artists from
spectator variety, the Twin Cities is home Bob Dylan to Prince have called the Twin
to the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Cities home.
Vikings, Minnesota Wild and the
Minnesota Timberwolves. We are also the
home of the four-time WNBA Champion
Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota
United soccer team. We host in some of
the best sporting facilities in the county,
including Target Field, home of the
Minnesota Twins, and USBank Stadium, a
brand new, enclosed stadium where the
Minnesota Vikings host their NFL games.
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The Twin Cities offer award-winning
restaurants (several chefs have been regional
James Beard Award winners). In addition to
the popular Mall of America, there are plenty
of unique shopping districts in both cities and
in the suburbs.
Beyond sports, the great outdoors,
entertainment, and culture, perhaps the
biggest attraction for the Twin Cities is the
lifestyle. Forbes hailed Saint Paul and
Minneapolis as one of the nation's healthiest
metros and USA Today named Saint Paul as
North America's “Most Romantic City.”
Minneapolis/St. Paul is also proud to have a
world-class international airport. In fact, the
Airports Council International named MSP the
2017 Best Airport in North America in its size
category, with more than 25 million
passengers a year.
Networking groups in technology,
manufacturing, healthcare and education
support their professions. Active Chambers
of commerce further business interests and
First Fridays Twin Cities celebrates African
American excellence.
The Twin Cities is a vibrant, richly diverse
Midwestern community where Minnesota Nice
is alive and well. We are the perfect blend of
small town/big city and our residents pride
themselves on their warm and welcoming ways.
There is a reason Business Insider ranked
Minneapolis/St. Paul number nine on its Top 50
Places to Live in America. We really are all that
and more!
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