TechAmerica to press on despite departures

TechAmerica's leadership vowed to soldier on in the wake of the defection of the lobbying group's key procurement staff to the rival Information Technology Industry Council.

"These changes were unexpected, but make no mistake, the member leadership of TechAmerica remains committed to TechAmerica, serving public sector members and Shawn Osborne as the president and CEO of the organization," Dennis Stolkey, chair of TechAmerica's board of directors, said in a joint statement with Robin Lineberger, chair of the group's public sector board.

The group's senior public procurement staff -- Trey Hodgkins, Erica McCann, Pam Walker and Carol Henton -- moved to ITI on Nov. 5 to form the organization's new Information Technology Alliance for Public Sector (ITAPS).

Some TechAmerica staff have reportedly chafed under a cost-cutting regime put in a place as the organization evolved from its 2009 beginnings from the merger between the American Electronics Association and Information Technology Association.

"We knew that changing how an organization steeped in the traditional ways of Washington would not be without challenges, but TechAmerica has made key investments to better serve members and implemented new initiatives that have delivered member benefit like never before," said Stolkey. "The vision of TechAmerica is exciting and innovative and I remain confident that the path we are on is the right one."

Hodgkins, a long-time public procurement expert at TechAmerica, along with McCann, Walker and Henton, give ICI a stand-up public procurement program, but TechAmerica officials said it will continue its efforts in the public sector.

"While I am disappointed with the departures of the former staff, TechAmerica's expertise and commitment to the public sector group of member companies remains unchanged" said Lineberger. "As members, we are seeing a fresh new approach to engaging us in TechAmerica. Hard decisions have been made and real change instituted, which has meant a more robust return on our investment."