Seven leaders from Wisconsin’s tech and engineering industries, private equity and political sectors have been elected to the Wisconsin Technology Council Board of Directors.

The Tech Council is an independent, non-profit organization that serves as the science and technology advisor to the Governor and Legislature. It is a catalyst for the creation of tech-based based business in Wisconsin. Elected at recent board meetings were:

· James Antczak, biomedical technology licensing manager, Medical College of Wisconsin
· Lisa Johnson, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
· Brian Lindstrom, controller, Epic Systems
· Jeanne McCabe, president and CEO, JZB Solutions
· Jim Pavlik, partner, Baird Venture Partners
· John Wiley, former chancellor, UW-Madison
· James Zylstra, vice president of finance, Wisconsin Technical College System

The seven join a statewide council that includes more than 45 representatives from tech companies, venture capital firms, all levels of education, research institutions, government and law with the mission of growing Wisconsin’s technology-based economy.

“The addition of these seven board members helps strengthen our already diverse and respected board,” Tech Council Chairman Mark Bugher said of the new board members. “Their knowledge and expertise will contribute greatly to the organization’s mission of best positioning Wisconsin in the Knowledge Economy.”

Formally organized in 2001, the Tech Council has focused its efforts in three key areas: policy guidance, economic development and networking. Its major publications include “Vision 2020: A Model Wisconsin Economy” and “Wisconsin Portfolio” as well as periodic white papers. Its programs include the Wisconsin Innovation Network, the Wisconsin Angel Network, the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest and the Wisconsin YES!

Following is additional information about the seven new board members:

James Antczak, Ph.D.
Prior to joining the Office of Technology Development at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2012, Antczak spent more than 25 years working in public and private-sector biomedical research and development. He earned a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Duke University as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in virus research at Duke University.

Lisa Johnson, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Prior to joining the WEDC in 2011, Johnson was chief business officer for Semba Biosciences; vice president of corporate development with EMD Biosciences Inc.; and vice president of corporate development for Novagen. Johnson earned a finance degree at the UW-Madison.

Brian Lindstrom, controller, Epic Systems
Lindstrom is the financial leader for Epic Systems, a $1-billion developer of inpatient and ambulatory enterprise healthcare management software. Prior to joining Epic Systems, Lindstrom was director of finance for ThermoFisher Scientific, Schneider National and Intel Corporation.

Jeanne McCabe, president and CEO of JZB Solutions
McCabe is an expert in research administration and working with small companies to develop necessary infrastructure. Prior to forming JZB Solutions, McCabe was with the Morgridge Institute for Research, BloodCenter of Wisconsin and the University of Iowa.

Jim Pavlik, partner, Baird Venture Partners
Pavlik is a partner with Baird Venture Partners and focuses on early and expansion stage venture capital investments in the business services and software sectors. Prior to joining Baird Venture Partners in 2003, Pavlik was with Madison Dearborn Partners and Solomon Smith Barney. Pavlik has a MBA from Northwestern University.

John Wiley, former chancellor, UW-Madison
Wiley received a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Indiana University and a masters and doctoral degrees in Physics from the UW-Madison. Prior to becoming chancellor of UW-Madison, Wiley served as a professor and administrator for more than 30 years.

James Zylstra, vice president of finance, Wisconsin Technical College System
Zylstra has responsibility for the Tech College System’s internal operations, including accounting, budgeting, procurement, payroll, human resources, facility and information technology. Prior to joining the Tech College System, Zylstra spent nine years with the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from UW-Milwaukee and a law degree from UW-Madison.