Letter From The SITAKS Chairman
July 16, 2010
Dear SITAKS Members and Friends:
As Chairman of the Software and
Information Technology Association of Kansas (SITAKS), I want to express my
deep appreciation to my fellow board members for their professional and
selfless assistance in our recent search for a new President.
In April, SITAKS lost our highly
competent President to cancer. Miriam Ubben did a great job in starting the
association and getting IT people and businesses talking to each
other. SITAKS was creating opportunities and value. Our board was
devastated by Miriam’s passing and our organization found itself in a desperate
condition as we lost institutional memory and momentum.
Patricia Brasted (Wichita Technology
Corporation), Laurie Minard (Garmin International), Perry Puccetti (Triple-I)
and Joel Wiggins (Enterprise Center of Johnson County) joined me on the
committee that conducted the search for a new President. We were committed
to conducting a thorough process that led us through intense consideration of exceptional
candidates. I extend sincere gratitude to Trish, Laurie, Perry and Joel for their
service to SITAKS and to all of our members for your support as we transition
into the next phase of leadership.
Bottom Line: We made a terrific
hire! We hired Rachel Hack to be President of SITAKS. I am sure you will be
impressed with our choice and she will do a great job. She has been on the job
since July 12 and we look forward to many accomplishments to come.
Once again, I extend my appreciation
to the SITAKS President search committee and to the membership. SITAKS is an
organization that exists to provoke and stimulate Kansas professionals and
businesses to greatness in software and IT. With our continued commitment and
Rachel’s enthusiasm and expertise, anything is possible.
Sincerely,
Lirel Holt, SITAKS Chairman
SITAKS Concludes Search
Rachel Hack Selected
Rachel Hack has joined the Software and Information Technology Association of Kansas (SITAKS) as its President. She most recently led the American Advertising Federation of Kansas City (formerly known as the Ad Club) as its Executive Director for seven years. During her time with the AAF membership surpassed 600. She previously worked in public relations and advertising at Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun and the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association.
Ms. Hack holds a B.A. in Communications Science from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. She is involved in several area non-profit organizations, currently serving on the Advisory Board of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Women’s Center and as the Secretary of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City Board of Directors.
Ms. Hack is keenly aware of SITAKS desire for growth in Kansas and the region. "As a lifelong citizen of the area, I have a passion for supporting business growth and creating opportunities for professionals. I am sincerely committed to leading SITAKS forward as Kansas’ preeminent advocate for the software and information technology sectors. SITAKS will help companies, individuals, and educational facilities communicate, grow and succeed.”
What is SITAKS?
The Software and Information Technology Association of Kansas (SITAKS) was launched in June 2008 to provide support to Kansas' burgeoning software and information technology (IT) industry. SITAKS is a corporate membership group designed to support Kansas' 3,200 software, information technology and telecommunications companies, as well as companies with large IT departments.
Founding Industry Council members represent the following companies and organizations:
Perceptive Software, Garmin International, Rush Tracking, ThinkGEO, Great Plains Regional Command, Freightquote, LSI, U Incorporated, Chemidex, Kansas State, Wichita State, Enterprise Center of Johnson County, University of Kansas, Netchemia, Horizon Analog, Wichita Technology Corporation, Triple I, Alexander Open Systems, Digital Evolution and SKT.
How Does it Work?
SITAKS is a C-level membership group...a dedicated community of Kansas software and IT companies and executives working to strengthen and expand the sector through advocacy, workforce development, capital formation, and management level education and networking.
Who Should Join?
Kansas software and IT companies, as well as companies with large information technology departments, are eligible to join. Colleges, universities and tech-based economic development groups are also eligible, as well as companies that provide services to the software and IT sector.
You will find value in SITAKS membership if your company has an interest in building connections and establishing your presence within the software and IT sector.
SITAKS' "Lunch & Learn" and "Breakfast Briefing" Series
Nominate presenters here.
The SITAKS Events Committee is seeking speakers to present high level topics relevant to decision-makers within the SITAKS membership at upcoming "Lunch and Learn" events as well as periodic "Breakfast Briefings."
Download and submit this speakers application to info@sitaks.com if you would like to present a topic or nominate a speaker.
Take the Workforce Skills Survey
We need your input! If you haven't done so already, please take the Workforce Skills Survey if you are a Kansas software/business technology company or Kansas company with large IT department. You do not need to be a SITAKS member to complete this survey. The information gained from this survey will be reported to colleges/universities/training entities this fall in an effort to more closely align curriculum with industry needs.
Survey Says...! Click here to view theSurvey Results
Cyberstates Report shows the Kansas IT sector is growing
The 2009 Cyberstates Reports shows that Kansas' High-Tech Industry increased in nearly every category over the previous year. Here are the new stats:
| Kansas and the High-Tech Industry |
2006 |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Jobs |
53,824 |
58,157 |
|
| Establishments |
3,254 |
3,221 |
|
| Payroll |
$3.7 B |
$4.2 B |
|
| Average Wage |
$68,474 |
$71,702
|
|
|
NOTE: Kansas software and IT jobs pay 91% more than the state's average wage. |
|
|
|
Sector Employment |
|
|
|
| Communications Services |
26,000 |
27,800 |
|
| Computer Systems Design |
8,700 |
9,100 |
|
| Engineering Services |
8,400 |
8,900 |
|
| Communications Equipment Mfg. |
2,700 |
3,100 |
|
| R&D and Testing Labs |
1,800 |
2,800 |
Milken Institute Rates Wichita #24:
According to the Milken Institute's "North America's High-Tech Economy" report published June, 2009, Wichita ranks #24 (up from 2003 ranking of #31) in Top-Performing U.S. and Canadian High Tech Economies.
According to the report, "Aerospace employment is the primary growth engine in the Wichita area, which is home to the headquarters of Cessna Aircraft and Spirit Aerosystems along with major operations for Boeing and Bombardier. In total, almost 39,000 jobs in aerospace are based there." The location quotient - which is a measurement of concentration of technology in the local economy is a whopping 36.7 which means Wichita has 36.7 times more high-tech employment than the average North American metro concentration. Total high-tech employment in Wichita is 50,600.
The Kansas City metro also made the top 50 list; however slipped one position to #31 (from #30 in 2003) with 82,200 high-tech employees and a location quotient of 1.4.
Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to view the entire report.
Welcome New Members
NOTE: SITAKS has organized this templated site to serve as a "placeholder" during the start-up phase of the organization. We will issue an RFP to membership to design and support the SITAKS site once the membership base is built.