Software Association of Oregon Hires New President.

Technology Business Association Selects Harvey Mathews for Leadership Role

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Software Association of Oregon (SAO), representing more than 600 technology businesses throughout the state, today announced the appointment of the organization's next president. Harvey Mathews, an accomplished business association director with a proven track record in Oregon, will bring his extensive skills and experience in strategic planning, management, fund-raising, and membership development to this role.

"We are fortunate to have someone of Harvey's caliber in the SAO's key leadership role," said Greg Drew, CEO of WebTrends and chairman of the SAO board of directors. "His experience in strategic policy development will go a long way to helping SAO succeed in meeting the challenging goals the association has set for itself."

Mathews assumes the leadership of SAO with a goal to make the software industry an increasingly important contributor to the state's economic growth. Among his plans are to expand the breadth and influence of the organization's membership. "SAO members are more likely to be successful because of their exposure to a rich infrastructure of people, resources, and knowledge which supports building an innovation economy in Oregon. As the individuals involved become more successful, the association becomes stronger," Mathews said.

Another goal is to continue the momentum of the current Start, Move, Grow Initiative (http://www.sao.org/About_SAO/mission/), an effort to help start new software companies in Oregon, encourage companies to move here, and help existing companies improve and prosper.

"The SAO is a strong organization led by a committed board of directors who care deeply about Oregon's future," said Mathews. "In the upcoming years we will be working closely with policy leaders to make intelligent changes in our education, economic and tax systems to create a better future for our children in the world economy."

Mathews succeeds past president John Tortorici, who led the SAO for two years. "I'm excited to pass the baton to Harvey, and I know that he will continue to lead, organize, and motivate the Association as they build an innovation economy in Oregon," said John Tortorici, departing president of the SAO.

Mathews worked most recently as the lead advocate for education, technology, elections and fiscal policy issues for Associated Oregon Industries (AOI), the state's largest comprehensive business association. His achievements in that role included $100 mm. investment into Oregon start-up companies, creation of the Expanded Options program for high school students, and the development of the Oregon Open Primary. Previously, Mathews has worked in the Speaker's Office in the Oregon House of Representatives and as a public high school teacher at Sam Barlow High in Gresham. He is a proud alumni of Western Oregon University.

ABOUT SAO

SAO is Oregon's largest technology trade association with more than 600 members statewide. Formed in 1989, the SAO fosters an environment that fuels the growth of Oregon's software industry. SAO is dedicated to helping software dependent companies Start and Grow, and to developing an environment into which companies and entrepreneurs want to Move. SAO offers a diverse range of software and business development resources, networking, visibility, education, advocacy and member benefits in support of Oregon's software industry cluster. For more information, visit www.sao.org.