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    College of Southern Idaho

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    Brigham Young University - Idaho

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    Meridian Technical Charter HS

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    Dennis Technical Education Center

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    Cassia Regional Technical Center

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    Meridian Technical Charter High School

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    North Idaho College

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Idaho Students Participate in 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference


Students from across Idaho were invited to participate in America’s preeminent workforce development event. The 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference was held in June in Atlanta for career and technical students from across the nation. 197 Idahoans attended, including 95 student competitors. At the conference, students participated either as competitors or as voting delegates. Competitors focused on one skill area, while delegates represented their state and conducted the business of the organization. Most students had opportunities to meet with business and industry representatives as part of their events. Thousands of students competed in 115 occupational and leadership skill areas at the annual event. The main contest days were June 26-27 with other days set aside for orientation, interviews and written tests. The event concluded with an awards ceremony on June 28. Students also interacted with business and industry representatives, heard from government officials and attended educational sessions.


Idaho students worked hard throughout the week. The following is a list of the Idaho students that received awards in their competition, as well as their school’s name:


Gold Medalists

Welding Fabrication: Emma Salka, Caleb Williams, and Joseph Wood - Bringham Young University - Idaho

Automated Manufacturing Technology: Jonathan Coy, Joel Fillmore, and Peter Munk - College of Southern Idaho

Electronics Technology: Joshua Makuch – Dennis Technical Education Center

Computer Programming: Kayden Humphries – Meridian Technical Charter High School

Web Design and Development: Rhys Jordan and Steven Shoen – Meridian Technical Charter High School

Collision Repair Technology: Jonathon Brunko – North Idaho College


Silver Medalists

Telecommunications Cabling: Aaron Cockrell – Dennis Technical Education Center


Bronze Medalists

Heavy Equipment Operation: Parker Osterhout – Cassia Regional Technical Center

Entrepreneurship: Sydney Cooper, Bailey Hayes, Natalie Klucken, Jessica Mercier – College of Southern Idaho

Telecommunications Cabling: Tony Ha – College of Western Idaho

Electronics Technology: Ty Linder – Dennis Technical Education Center


In addition to the competition awards, Bailey Jensen from Boise State University was elected to serve as a SkillsUSA National Officer for the 2024-2025 year, and Dr. Harold Nevill was awarded the SkillsUSA Honorary Life Membership Award for 30 years of service and dedication to SkillsUSA and Idaho CTE programs.


About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. It’s a student-led partnership of education and industry that’s building the skilled workforce our nation depends on with graduates who are career ready, day one. Representing over 380,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. SkillsUSA’s mission empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. That mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, which is integrated into classroom curriculum. Through Framework instruction, students develop the character-shaping leadership skills — teamwork, communication, professionalism and more — that successful careers and lives demand. At the same time, students hone their high-level technical skills against current industry standards in more than 130 skilled trade areas, from 3-D Animation to Welding. The result? Focused, confident and highly skilled graduates who are ready to work, ready to lead and ready to make a difference in our schools, workplaces and communities. A vital solution to the skills gap, where more in-demand skilled trades positions are available than qualified professionals to

fill them, SkillsUSA has served over 14 million difference-making members since 1965. For more, visit www.skillsusa.org.

2024 Hall of Fame Press Release

by Richard Scully • 22 August 2024
For Immediate Release: August 22, 2024 Boise, Idaho, - RAIMONDI AND MULHERN TO BE INDUCTED INTO IDAHO TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL HALL OF FAME, WITH ALEX “SPIFF” SEDRICK, Rugby 7s, OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST, TEAM USA AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER Rich Raimondi, Founding Chair of the Idaho Technology Council (ITC), serving over 30 years with Hewlett Packard and George Mulhern, former CEO at Cradlepoint, and current member of the Executive Board of the ITC, are the 2024 inductees into the Idaho Technology Council (ITC) Hall of Fame . Since 2010, the ITC has honored iconic Idahoans who have advanced society and created a lasting impact in Idaho’s technology ecosystem. “This year’s inductees exemplify what is awesome about Idaho,” said Jay Larsen, ITC founder and former president. “Rich and George were both recruited to Idaho by Hewlett Packard (HP) and have been tremendous leaders growing innovation and mentoring and developing talent. I have great fondness and admiration for them. These two truly have their fingerprints all over the local innovative ecosystem.” Rich is a dual retiree - in 2008, after 30 years with Hewlett-Packard, 16 of which he served as a Vice President/Senior Vice President in several businesses inside HP and, again in 2022, after 12 years serving as president of Bishop Kelly High School. He currently serves on the boards of St. Luke’s Health System; LED, a project-based arts nonprofit (Chair), the Idaho Film Society (Vice-Chair), the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and the College of Idaho Advisory Council. He was the founding chair of the Idaho Technology Council from 2010 - 2015 and has also served on the boards of the Treasure Valley’s Education Partnership, Trey McIntyre Project, Treasure Valley YMCA and Vision for the Valley. George retired from his role as the CEO of Cradlepoint and Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions Global Business Unit in July 2024. He joined Cradlepoint in 2011 and worked with an exceptionally talented team to build the company into the global leader for enterprise cellular wide-area networking. In November of 2020 the company was acquired by Ericsson. Prior to joining Cradlepoint, George spent three years as a General Partner at Highway 12 Ventures, a Boise based venture capital firm. He began his career in technology at Hewlett Packard, where he spent 20 years and had the opportunity to lead several HP businesses. His last position with HP was as Senior Vice President, leading the LaserJet Global Business Unit. George currently serves as an Independent Board Director for Cambia Health Solutions, Regence Blue Shield of Idaho and Tracer - a Boise based brand security company. He also serves on the Executive Board of the ITC. George was a member of Idaho Governor Kempthorne’s Science and Technology Advisory Council and a member of Idaho Governor Little’s Cyber Security Task Force. Raimondi and Mulhern will be honored at the 2024 Hall of Fame scheduled for October 11, at the Boise Centre. Community members may purchase tables and tickets at www.idahotechcouncil.org /events or email info@idahotechcouncil.org for more information. “We invite the Idaho community to attend to honor the inductees and honor the former inductees who have shaped the Idaho Technology Council as well as the Idaho tech ecosystem. It will be a night to celebrate the 15 th year, “A Timeless Return” and to network, make connections, and hear from this year’s keynote speaker, Olympian, Alex “Spiff” Sedrick, TEAM USA Rugby team”, said Diane Bevan, new ITC President and CEO. The Hall of Fame and Idavation™ Awards Gala is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Idaho Central Credit Union ; Idavation™ Awards Sponsor Scoggin Capital Investment ; Keynote Speaker Sponsor Dorsey & Whitney ; and Inductee Sponsors Regence BlueShield of Idaho and Idaho State University . The VIP reception and Public Policy champion sponsor is Micron . Community sponsors include Meta, St. Luke’s Health System, Technology Credit Union, and Beneficient/Ataraxis PEO . The 2024 Idavation™ Award Finalists are: Mt. Borah Award, which is given to a leader who has expanded the horizons of Idaho’s technology and entrepreneurial community. Andrew Crapuchettes, RedBalloon Jason Crawforth, Swear Lisa Grow, Idaho Power The Hells Canyon Emerging Company Award , which recognizes a company that experienced a daunting journey to achieve success. Hidden Mountain Data Red Aspen Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance The Peregrine Innovative Technology Award , which showcases an innovative technology that has been launched successfully. Bastian Solutions Idaho National Laboratory Silverdraft Swear ABOUT THE IDAHO TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is the industry voice driving innovation in the state of Idaho. The ITC is a member driven organization; committed to the success of Idaho’s technology ecosystem and leading Idaho to a knowledge-based economy. The primary initiatives of the ITC are focused on the continued growth of innovation, transforming Idaho’s future around Talent, Access to Capital, and R&D/Commercialization. The ITC is instrumental in building advocacy needed to persuade legislators and private industry to invest in high return initiatives that are necessary to propel new companies forward, along with retention and growth with existing companies. Email: info@idahotechcouncil.org Website: https://www.idahotechcouncil.org/

Meet Aaron Brinton

by Richard Scully • 15 August 2024
Introducing Aaron Brinton, Chief Strategy Officer at Ventive. Aaron has over 30 years of experience in business development, software engineering, and information technology. Email: aaron@getventive.com Website: https://www.getventive.com More on Aaron and Ventive… Describe your organization: Ventive is a renowned digital product agency specializing in high-fidelity software solutions, including SaaS, web, mobile, platform, eCommerce, UX/UI, AI & Machine Learning, and CRM products for clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies worldwide. We focus on really learning about our customer problem space so that we can provide the most value in the solutions we build. We act as a partner rather than just a vendor. Our 96% success rate of getting customer digital products to market over the last decade is a clear testament to our commitment to our clients. What inspired you to work for your organization? As a leader in technology for over 30 years, I have watched most technologists chase problems with solutions. I’m proud to work at an organization with such a strong focus on the customer, discovery, and validation of design. What sets your business apart from others in your industry? We are a premier digital product agency. We don’t just build applications. We take an idea or existing proof of concept and we get it to market and growth. We’re building valuable companies. What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? Everyone is in sales. I wish I had realized this when I was 20. Most of my failures both as an entrepreneur and as an employee were directly related to thinking otherwise. Learning to communicate my value and how to close negotiations was a game changer. What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business? There are a lot of empty talkers. Start your career building and delivering things — lots of things. This gives you the credibility you need to lead and speak effectively. Aaron's bio... Aaron has over 30 years of experience in business development, software engineering, and information technology. He has certifications in cybersecurity and cloud architecture, development, and operations. In addition to working in techn ical leadership for Fortune 500 companies such as Sprint and ADP, Aaron has been involved as key management and primary software architect in several startups, including companies focused on network services, data mining and reporting, and customer relationship management. Aaron has also led multiple efforts building enterprise applications for the Department of Defense (Intelligence Community), including getting systems authorized and deployed into classified networks. Aaron served as a nuclear engineer in the United States Navy and is a veteran of Desert Storm. While he is a strong technologist, Aaron’s passion is customer engagement and success. As the Chief Strategy Officer at Ventive, he is able to leverage the organization’s technical capabilities to drive customer value. Be sure to check out Aaron using the social media links below. If you are interested in learning more about Ventive, please check out their website or contact Aaron using the email listed above. Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn Here
Matt archer is a member of the idaho technology council

Meet Matt Archer

by Richard Scully • 25 July 2024
Introducing Matt Archer, the Founder of Tech Hub and new Idaho Technology Council member. Matt is also serving on the 2024 Hall of Fame Committee as the AV Project Lead. Email: matt.archer@techhub.us Website: https://www.techhub.us More on Matt and Tech Hub… Describe your organization: Tech Hub is a B2B Technology Solutions Company. We make buying business technology and tools a breeze. Partnering with you to remove friction and scale your business. Simple. Smart. Tech Hub. What inspired you to start your own business? I started TechHub to simplify technology procurement for resellers to help their customers. I saw the difficulties they faced in sourcing and purchasing tech solutions and wanted to create a B2B SaaS platform that removes these obstacles, making it easier for them to grow their businesses. What sets your business apart from others in your industry? TechHub’s patent pending AI-driven recommendation system is tailored for technology resellers. Our platform streamlines the procurement process, saving time and ensuring the best solutions for clients. We focus on eliminating friction and enabling scalability. What challenges have you faced as a new business owner, and how did you overcome them? Building TechHub from the ground up has been challenging. It required funding, a skilled team, and a strong vision. I overcame these challenges with perseverance, leveraging my network, and continuously iterating based on feedback from early adopters. My faith and resilience in the vision have been crucial in this journey. What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business? Understand your target market and their pain points. Focus on creating valuable, simplified solutions. Networking is key—build strong professional relationships. Stay adaptable and open to feedback, keep learning, and be persistent in pursuing your vision. Feel free to reach out if I can help make any introduction or just would like to connect. Be sure to check out Matt using the social media links below. If you are interested in learning more about Tech Hub, please check out their website or contact Matt using the email listed above.