TechAmerica taps new head for public sector
Mike Hettinger is a former Hill staffer and executive at the Software and Information Industry Association.
TechAmerica named a new head of its public sector group on Dec. 19, about a month and a half after the departure of several key employees to a competing tech association.
Mike Hettinger, who TechAmerica called a leader in the public-sector technology industry, will become the association's senior vice president for the public sector. Hettinger brings extensive experience on Capitol Hill, in the private sector and with trade associations.
TechAmerica is currently embroiled in a legal battle with rival Information Technology Industry Council over ITI's hiring of a number of TechAmerica's public-sector executives, including Hettinger's predecessor Trey Hodgkins.
Hettinger had been vice president for the Public Sector Innovation Group at the Software and Information Industry Association. Previously, he served as executive director of Grant Thornton's Global Public Sector practice, where he oversaw strategic planning and market development.
Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Hettinger was staff director of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's Government Management, Finance and Accountability Subcommittee.
"We were fortunate to have many outstanding candidates, several referred by our board and members, but Mike stood out," said TechAmerica President and CEO Shawn Osborne. "His extensive experience will enable TechAmerica to increase our leadership in this sector to the benefit of our members."
As Hettinger departed, SIIA announced that State Department veteran Carl Schonander would become its director of international public policy, a new position the association said reflects the increasing impact of global policy debates on U.S. technology and digital content business.