Outgoing directors Mr. Gary Lovell and Mr. Cliff Roberts were thanked for their contribution and commitment to NATI at the board level. Following this, an election of officers took place to fill three vacant director positions.

These positions were won by Terry Hussey of Atlas Management, Mandy Woodland of Cox and Palmer, and June Turpin of Bell. Positions will be assumed immediately, and during the next official meeting of the board there will be an election of a Vice Chair who will succeed Gerard Duggan as Chair in 2013.

NATI's board of directors has members from some of the provinces most prominent technology companies. These directors, led by the Chair of the board, guide the strategic plan of NATI which is committed to effective policy development and advocacy initiatives.

2012-2013 Board of Directors

Chair - Gerard Duggan, zedIT Solutions

Director - Chris Spurvey, Plato Consulting

Director - Geoff Davis, Bell Aliant

Director - Suzanne Kenney, Deloitte

Director - Weston Raske, zedIT Solutions

Director - Terry Hussey, Atlas Management (newly elected)

Director - Mandy Woodland, Cox & Palmer (newly elected)

Director - June Turpin, Bell (newly elected)

This package contains a proxy ballot for the 2012-2013 NATI Board of Directors Election.  If for some reason a representative from your organization cannot attend the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2012 (Clovelly Golf Course Gazebo, 10.00 am) we ask that you complete the following ballot and have the option of taking one of three possible courses of action:

1. Give the proxy ballot to a fellow NATI member company representative that will be attending theAGM (in a sealed envelope) to have it registered at the AGM; or

2. Authorize NATI to present your by proxy ballot vote.

3. Fax the ballot to the NATI office in the attention of Ron Taylor at 709.757.6284 by 12:00PM on May 15, 2012.

 The election is for three (3) Directors.  The position is for a two (2) year term.

 If you have any questions please feel free to contact Ron Taylor, NATI CEO at 709.757.3252 or by email at ron@nati.net.

Yours in technology,

Gerard Duggan

NATI Chair

CLICK HERE  for Proxy Ballot Package

The nomination process is now closed, and a total of eight nominations have been submitted. The following is a list of candidates running for director positions on the NATI Board. Click the name of any nominee to read his/her statement of interest in joining NATI's Board of Directors.

Terry Hussey - Atlas Management

Brian Johnston - Rutter

June Turpin - Bell Canada

Dave Weir - Eastlink

Alfred Whiffen - Altera

Mandy Woodland - Cox and Palmer

All NATI members in good standing may have one vote at the Annual General Meeting. Those unable to attend the AGM can vote by proxy; details on this process will be circulated.

Click Here for more information on the AGM and to register to attend. 

NATI is proud to announce that our very own Natasha Hudson, Business Development Coordinator has been selected as a candidate for the program! Natasha will be travelling to Silicon Valley in May to join other female Canadian leaders in the technology sector for mentoring and professional development. Congratulations Natasha!

NATI is currently recruiting energetic, focused and forward-looking individuals to become active members of the NATI 2012 - 2013 Board of Directors. If you have an enthusiasm for the advanced technology sectors and a willingness to become involved, this is a unique opportunity to participate with NATI at the Board level to assist in tackling the issues and realize the opportunities in our knowledgebased industries. It is a chance to engage in a leadership role and to make things happen.

NATI is setting a fast pace for positive change and business climate improvement in Newfoundland and Labrador. Be a part of our leadership.

It isn't enough to talk about innovation - we have to lead by example. By joining NATI's Board of Directors, you will become a part of an innovative association that is proactive in leading and growing the advanced technology industries in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To learn more about the positions available, please read the nomination information contained in the attachment.

For further information feel free to contact me at 722.7213 or gerard.duggan@zedITsolutions.com or subsequently Ron Taylor, NATI CEO at 757.3252 or ron@nati.net.

Sincerely,

Gerard Duggan
NATI Chair

Click here for attachment.

We're embracing the chilly NL Spring and celebrating all things iceberg! Join us for a Network with NATI event featuring iceberg infused products at the Quidi Vidi Brewery.

Space is limited, so RSVP to Brittany (brittany@nati.net) to confirm your attendance no later than Friday April 13^th 2012.

Please note that parking is VERY limited at this venue; arriving by taxi is highly recommended.

Click here to read the full article, or visit www.seadiscovery.com 

CLICK HERE for more information, or contact Cathy at cathy.favre@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

This year's conference saw record breaking attendance, with a completely sold out luncheon and a crowd at the speaker's sessions that was near capacity. The audience was made up of representatives from private and public sector, as well as post-secondary and high school students.

After opening remarks from Gerard Duggan, Chair of the Board of Directors, and NATI CEO Ron Taylor, Gerry Pond of Marnier Partners took to the stage. Mr. Pond spoke on how we can build more technology companies in Atlantic Canada, a topic he is well versed in as the co-founder of 10 technology start-ups in the past 10 years.

Following Gerry, Sarah Prevette engaged the audience with a talk on emerging technologies in start-ups, and what enhanced serendipity will mean for the future of the industry. Lyle Wetsch of Memorial University's Faculty of Business Administration then delivered a presentation on the power of social media, followed by Craig Tucker of Group m5 who spoke about selling your brand.

During the luncheon session Victoria Lennox of Startup Canada announced the campaigns upcoming launch in Newfoundland and Labrador, and revealed Dean MacDonald as the provincial patron. Mr. MacDonald then took to the stage to deliver his keynote address.

After lunch humourist Bill Carr brought a new energy to the room with his talk on the importance of taking a positive approach to change and creating the future you want. Marc Saltzman then ended the conference with a presentation on the hottest trends in technology.

The event was a resounding success, garnering the attention of several media outlets and highlighting all the major things happening in the Province's technology sector.

NATI extends thanks to all sponsors, attendees, and speakers for making Solutions Summit 2012 one of the most successful NATI events to date.

For questions related to the Solutions Summit or Startup Canada, or to enquire about obtaining a copy of any presentations that were delivered, please contact Brittany at 757-3251 or brittany@nati.net

On behalf of the 2011-2012 Board of Directors I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for your families and colleagues in the New Year.  The year ahead promises to be one of significant opportunity and success for our Industry.  It is a privilege to serve as your Chair of NATI and I am looking forward to investing effective and enthusiastic time, energy and effort with the board and the staff on your behalf.

The knowledge-based economy we represent is a breeding ground for the innovation and invention that will drive positive economic and social development for Newfoundland & Labrador.  The skills of our young technologists, new entrepreneurs and industry veterans will ensure that there are healthy, thriving communities built to last long after the benefits of non renewable resources have been utilised.  This opportunity for economic diversification will need effective vision, leadership and stewardship to be fully realised and that is precisely what NATI is striving to achieve.

NATI has made great strides in developing concise policy objectives and strong sector representation through its advocacy and program delivery.  Changing economic conditions within Newfoundland & Labrador and globally mean that NATI must continue to be proactive in assessing its priorities.  Our plan for 2012-2013 reflects this need.

As we work toward the Solutions Summit in March and the Annual General Meeting in May, NATI will be advocating to all levels of Government to ensure the needs of our industry are front and centre.  Specifically, we will be working to develop attraction and retention of required labour, guide public technology infrastructure investments, and promote the effective use of Information and Communications Technology to enable equal participation and service delivery for citizens.  Programs to support business development and export needs of our members are in place and will continue to be focussed on their specific sectors and refined based on results.

I am grateful to the membership of NATI and our partners for all of their passion and expertise that goes into their work on a daily basis.  I take great pride in being one of many who contribute to an Industry that will play a key role in ensuring Newfoundland & Labrador is a healthy, thriving and truly unique place to live and work.

Kindest Regards,

Gerard Duggan

Chair, Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI)