BALTIMORE, MD (10/08/08) – The Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC) is excited to announce that John Eckenrode and Tom Loveland, co-creators of the Maryland Computer Services Association (MCSA), have been selected as joint recipients of this years Connector Award.

Announced at TechNite, the Connector Award is presented annually to the GBTC member who, for lack of a better term, “gets it”. They’re much more than an advocate and volunteer. They CONNECT people – people to people and people to programs. They’re the ones who bring their clients and friends to GBTC events and forums, connecting them to other people in the community and, in doing so, making our community a better and more vibrant place in which to live and work.

“We were very pleased with this year’s nominees, all of which were deserving of the award. They are true advocates of the GBTC and, more importantly, value the importance that connections provide – connections to new ideas, new partners, new business” stated Steve Kozak, GBTC Executive Director.

Individuals for this award are first nominated by their peers, the GBTC membership. Then a Committee, composed of 15 individuals, GBTC Board members, past Connector Winners and the Chairs from our Roundtable & GBTechNet programs, reviews and, in a confidential ballot, submits three votes for this year’s winner. The finalists were Newt Fowler, Rosenberg, Martin, Greenberg, Jared Goralnick, SET Consulting, Jody Stoehr, r2integrated and the combined team of Tom Loveland & John Eckenrode, Maryland Computer Services Association.

“Tom and John were recognized by their peers, other business leaders, for tireless efforts in educating the community on the States proposed Technology Tax. As founders and leaders of the Maryland Computer Services Association, they built and maintained partnerships, energy and resources toward the tech tax repeal. Their determined efforts on behalf of the technology community not only led to the repeal of the IT services tax but, perhaps more importantly, awakened the Maryland technology community to the need to have an organized voice in Annapolis, said Steve Kozak.

They “connected” IT companies with government and with each other. With no experience in grassroots organizing, Tom and John used their passion, commitment and tech savvy to bring together the tech community in a common mission. While Tom and John united the IT community toward a specific goal, their personal involvement in building consensus, empowering technology firms, and forming networks will enrich the GBTC and all of Maryland’s technology advocacy organizations for years to come.”

Previous winners include, Michael Teitelbaum - President, TruePresence (2003), Larry Fiorino - Founder & President, G.1440 (2004), Art Jacoby - Principal, JACOBY (2005), and Hillel Glazer – Principal & CEO, Entinex (2006), Donald Grauel, President, L.E. Goldsborough & Son, Inc. (2007).

BALTIMORE, MD (09/30/08) – The Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC) announced today that it has selected R2integrated (R2i) to develop and launch its new website. The new website will be unveiled at the 19^th Annual TechNite, the premier networking event to celebrate the region’s business and technology community.

“The website redesign reflects the changing needs of our members and our commitment to Greater Baltimore’s growing technology community,” said Jennifer Gunner, Director of Marketing and Communications at GBTC. “The site’s new features include access to new business resources and opportunities for members to connect with each other and share information.”

The new website was designed based on the three core principals of the GBTC vision, trusted connections, peer-to-peer learning and creating a gateway to the Greater Baltimore community. By developing a central location for GBTC programs, member news and regional events while incorporating them into relevant social media channels, the new website design will serve as a hub for technology and business information in Greater Baltimore.

“The site’s social networking functionality will strengthen GBTC’s position as the gateway for Baltimore’s technology companies,” said Matt Goddard, Principal at R2i. “We plan to be an active participant in GBTC’s new LinkedIn and Facebook communities and look forward to increased interaction with other member companies.”