The executive committee of the Wisconsin Technology Council has unanimously elected a slate of officers who will help to lead the organization in coming years. They are:

  • Gary Frings, chair. Frings recently retired as chief information officer for Exact Sciences Corp. and will continue to serve as an advisor to the Madison-based cancer diagnostics firm. He also has background as an entrepreneur and small business owner.
  • Ilke Panzer, vice chair. Panzer serves on the supervisory board for Sartorius AG, a leading global life sciences and laboratory equipment supplier.
  • Mark Ehrmann, secretary. Ehrmann is a business law partner with Quarles & Brady LLP, where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and private equity transactions.
  • Derek Matzke, treasurer. Matzke is an assurance partner at BDO USA LLP, where he often works with tech-based companies.

The Wisconsin Technology Council is the science and technology advisor to the Governor and the Legislature. Launched in 2001, the Tech Council was created by a bipartisan act of the governor and the Legislature. It is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan board with members from tech companies, venture capital firms, higher education, research institutions, government and law. The Tech Council has three main functions:

  • It provides policy guidance to lawmakers, the governor, state agencies and other institutions in Wisconsin. It has most notably done so through “Vision 2020: A Model Wisconsin Economy” and biennial white papers that have served as background for policymakers – and led to constructive changes.
  • It serves an important in-state networking role through the Innovation Network, a membership arm that is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. It also works with other statewide and local affiliates. It provides out-of-state networking through its “I-Q Corridor” activities and other events. Its 50-plus board members are statewide.
  • It serves as an economic catalyst through programs such as the Innovation Network, which is the Tech Council’s general membership arm; the Investor Networks, which connects early stage investors with entrepreneurs and others; the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference; the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium; the Wisconsin Tech Summit; and the Governor’s Business Plan Contest.