How can the next mayor of Madison help foster a healthy climate for tech-based economic development in the city and the region? The candidates on the April 3 ballot will address that question at the March 27 luncheon meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network.

The meeting will be held at the Sheraton Hotel on John Nolen Drive. Registration on site begins at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and the presentation will begin at 12:30 p.m. To register online, go to www.wisconsintechnologycouncil/events/win  Registration is $25 for individual WIN members, $35 for non-members and included with WIN corporate memberships.

Challenger Ray Allen and incumbent Dave Cieslewicz will make brief remarks and take questions from a panel of entrepreneurs:

  • Eric Apfelbach, president and CEO of Virent Energy Systems LLC, which is developing the first-ever demonstration system capable of converting sugar into power. Apfelbach was previously co-founder of Alfalight and general manager of Planar Systems Inc. Apfelbach is also a member of the Wisconsin Technology Council.
  • Jan Eddy, the retired president and founder of Wingra Technologies. She is chairwoman of the First Business Bank and Wall Family Enterprise boards and a member of the boards for ScheduleSoft, Meriter Retirement Services, First Business Financial Services, the Dane County Collaboration Council and the Tech Council.
  • Deven McGlenn, CEO of NeoClone, which produces monoclonal antibodies using techniques that save money, increase yields and offer greater stability. McGlenn worked previously as a Fortune 500 management consultant with a national firm and as CEO of an environmental remediation company.

Tom Still, president of WIN and the Tech Council, will moderate the panel discussion. WIN is the membership subsidiary of the Wisconsin Technology Council, the science and tech policy advisers to the governor and the Legislature. To join WIN, go to www.wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or call Andrea Johnson at 608-442-7557, ext. 27.