Advocacy

In March of 2006, as a part of the Grow initiative, SAO’s Board of Directors resolved to create an Advocacy Committee with the intent to monitor and influence public policy efforts that affect our member organizations ability to prosper in an increasing global economy. This committee primarily advocates for tax and economic development policies that further SAO’s ongoing efforts to advance and grow the software and technology industry in Oregon.

By leading discussions with federal, state and local officials about the important contributions of software powered companies throughout the state, the SAO influences policy making that has an impact on the software industry and assists, advises, and communicates opportunities to the SAO Board of Directors and the SAO membership regarding key pieces of legislation or regulatory matters. The SAO works collaboratively with and is a resource for government agencies, leading business organizations, educational institutions, and other groups to be a strong voice for the Oregon software industry for years to come.

SAO is the voice of the software industry statewide to:

• Provide leadership on issues important to the growth of the software industry and to engage in issues that have a positive impact on SAO Members;
• Remain non-partisan in the selection of issues, endorsement of candidates, and execution of strategies;
• Focus on selected issues with the greatest impact on the software industry;
• Drive toward creating a business climate that promotes innovation and public policies that encourage software development and the expansion of Oregon's knowledge-based economy.
  

Advocacy Committee Members:

• Craig Barnes, Attensa - Chair
• Leslie Bar-Ness, Symantec
• Gary DesRochers, West Coast Bank
• Marcy Eastham, Hewlett-Packard
• Frank Hall, EntreDigm Consulting, LLC
• Tiffany Jones, Symantec
• Phil Keisling, CorSource
• David Kopf, Symantec
• Harvey Mathews, Software Association of Oregon (SAO)
• Lewis A. McMurran, Washington Software Association (WSA)
• Jim Wall, Microsoft Corporation
• Jennifer Warren, Software Association of Oregon (SAO)
• Mark Wernet, Microsoft
• Jonathan P Williams, Intel

For more information, please contact Harvey Mathews, President at harvey.mathews@sao.org or (503) 228-5401.