Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) and Utah Life Science Association (ULSA) to Merge
20 February 2006
In a move that underscores the importance of the information technology and life science industries in Utah, officers of the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) and Utah Life Science Association (ULSA) today announced that the respective boards of trustees have unanimously agreed in principal to merge. Pending execution of a definitive merger agreement and appropriate approval, the groups intend to merge and operate under a new name, the Utah Technology Council (UTC). It is anticipated that the merger will occur in March of this year.
"This is a rare opportunity to further build and unite Utah's outstanding technology community," UITA President and CEO Richard R. Nelson said. "In addition to providing unique executive resources for the information technology industry, UITA has played an increasingly important role in advancing legislation that affects our industry on a state and national basis. By broadening our scope to become a full technology council, I am confident we will become an even stronger advocate for creating many new high-paying tech jobs in Utah."
All members in good standing of UITA and ULSA will become members of the Utah Technology Council. The organization will create three new trustee positions to represent the life sciences industry. UTC will be directed by UITA's President and CEO Richard Nelson, Chairman Jack Sunderlage and Vice Chairman Will West. Additionally, the organization will add a new Life Sciences Director position to its executive team. Longtime ULSA President Brian Moss has accepted an assignment with the LDS Church and will retire from ULSA.
"The UITA and ULSA organizations have been working closely together for the past decade," said Brian Moss, ULSA president. "We view this evolution into a new and combined organization as a very natural and positive step."
"We are happy to welcome ULSA's members into our expanding organization," said Jack Sunderlage, UITA Chairman and CEO of ContentWatch, Inc. "As a combined technology council, we gain even more momentum to ensure that our industries' voices are heard."
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, UTC will carry forward all existing programs from UITA as well as adopt and develop additional programs to represent and advance the life sciences sector.
"As a combined organization, we look forward to launching targeted programs to specifically address the life sciences industry within our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Forums, CEO Roundtables, events, legal clinics and public policy initiatives," said Will West, UITA Vice Chairman and CEO of Control4.
"Life sciences and information technology-based businesses have been moving closer to each other for some time, to the point where many companies have activities in both sectors," said Dr. Richard Koehn, Chairman of the Board of ULSA. "This merger is very prospective as we seek to better serve companies across the spectrum of these two critical Utah industries."
About UITA
As the premier professional organization for Utah's more than 3,000 IT companies, the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) exists to form closer relationships with industry and community leaders, develop superior management talent, sharpen professional skills and help gain access to capital. For more information on UITA, please visit http://www.uita.org.
About ULSA
The Utah Life Science Association is committed to developing and promoting life science industries by bringing members together in partnership to foster education at all levels; facilitate innovation, excellence and international competitiveness in our products and services; gain consensus for action; and be proactive in matters relating to policy formation, legislation and regulations that impact our industries. For more information on ULSA, readers can visit http://www.utahlifescience.com.
Source: prnewswire
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