“There is no single reason for my decision; it’s mainly just a recognition of my time of life and other priorities related to family,” Still said in an April 25 letter to the Tech Council board. ”It’s certainly not for lack of continued enthusiasm for our work, which I believe has left its mark on the tech-based economy in Wisconsin and will continue to do so. In fact, our services, policy advice, events, communications and general outreach are more in demand today than at any time I can remember.”
The former associate editor at the Wisconsin State Journal, Still built the Tech Council into a statewide organization with impact at the Capitol. During his tenure, Still and his allies secured incentives for Wisconsin tech companies and promoted a growing part of the state economy now valued at more than $50 billion per year including both the information technology and biotechnology sectors. The Cyberstates 2024 “State of Technology Summary” counted 144,000 information technology jobs in Wisconsin, or 4.7% of the total workforce; the biotechnology workforce was estimated at 129,000 people for the same year.
“That’s a credit to you, as board members; to our excellent staff and consultants; and to our steadfast partners such as the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.,” Still told the board. ”Together, we have reached to the far corners of the state across a mix of issues and disciplines.”
A search for a successor is underway with the hope of completing the process by late summer.
Still, meanwhile, will continue to write his popular “Inside Wisconsin” column, and plans to remain on the Tech Council board as well as boards or advisory groups for the Marshfield Clinic Health System; the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters; the UW-Madison School of Computer, Data and Information Sciences; the UW-Madison College of Engineering; and First Business Bank.
“I’m not going away, just transitioning!” Still concluded in his letter.
;
