Friday | June 27, 2008

Good-Bye Don Heestand

It is with a very heavy and sad heart that I have to report that Cleveland lost one of its titans of technology in Don Heestand, CEO and Chairman of E-Merging Technologies Group. During my time as “Tech Czar” at the City of Cleveland, I had the honor to meet and get to know Don. We spoke at a few conferences together and he always provided spot-on advice. He was a great man.

Don launched E-Merging Technologies 11 years ago. Prior to E-Merging Technologies, Heestand was Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of Realogic (one of Cleveland’s real technology success stories). He also held senior management posts with Central National Bank, Coopers & Lybrand, and Arthur Young and was for a time the Chief Information Officer at Forest City Enterprises.

As I mentioned before, I truly enjoyed my interaction with Don. He was a huge booster of Cleveland and the local technology scene. He was, indeed, a giant amongst men. Since leaving the City my interactions with Don had been minimal. An email here and an email there. I was not aware that he had taken ill. Cleveland has lost a once in a lifetime gentlemen. I will miss him.
Posted by Tech Czar at 15:54:42 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Monday | June 23, 2008

Cuyahoga County Investing In Tech Start-Ups

I have to honest, Cleveland, I never thought I would see the day when the Commissioners of Cuyahoga County decided to invest in a tech start-up loan fund. But it has happened.  The Commissioners agreed today to put $750,000 in a loan pool that will target young technology start-ups.  The loans will range between $25,000 and $125,000 @ 5% interest. I was doing the same thing at the City of Cleveland through the Core City Technology Fund (rather a segmentation of Core City money directed at Technology). Unfortunately, the current administration has stopped offering this technology specific loan program.

The North Coast Technology Fund will administer the loans. Good group. I know a few of the gents involved at North Coast – good crew. NorTech will help evaluate the loan applications as they come in to the County. Love the concept. However, to really make an impact we need millions of dollars going into funds like this and like Jumpstart.

Posted by Tech Czar at 18:48:18 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Thursday | June 05, 2008

Tech Emperor Vs. Tech Czar

You would think that my loyal tech subjects would be appreciative of my benevolent rule. Seems that is not the case as Andy Halko of Insivia is initiating a brazen campaign to overthrow the Tech Czar.

Can you believe this?

http://techemperorisbetterthantechczar.blogspot.com/


Halko will rue the day he crowned himself tech emperor.

Posted by Tech Czar at 11:26:29 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |

Tuesday | June 03, 2008

While I was gone...

I know, I know seems like forever since I lasted posted on Tech Czar Notes. Saying I was busy would be just a poor, poor excuse. And certainly, my lack of written verse should not suggest that there is nothing going on in the Cleveland tech world. Far from it, my friends. So here is a quick run-down on some notable people, place and things. You know – nouns, good nouns. (Presented here for your entertainment – but in no particular order.)

·         This year’s TechSync event was very notable especially for the introduction of Craig Newmark – Founder of Craig’s List. Craig was a very shy and humble “technologist.” I enjoyed his remarks about staying true to what your customers are saying to you. (And who knew that he actually works at Craig’s List at the Customer Service Desk!) All in all just a wonderful event. Kudos to Cathy Horton and Nikki DiFilippo for getting my ass out on a Saturday night (generally my “jammies night” – I love PJ’s) to hear what Craig had to say. Great stuff.

 ·         Velocity/2008 was a jamming affair at the IdeaCenter. Great turnout from the young and emerging professionals in the City. Always great to see interest in technology from Gen X and Y. I enjoyed a ton of great conversations. And I have to say it, man, King Hill of DigiKnow gave the keynote and it kicked ASS. (That’s all caps, baby.) I have always been proud to say that King is a friend, but I totally dig his message and the voice in which he sends the missive. And a good word to Dan Young of DXY Solutions. He had a vision of what Velocity/2008 was to be and it came true.

·         Digital Cocktails 2.0 was a happening gig. Nice to see about 80 people join us at APG’s new office space at the Tyler Elevator Building. Tyler Elevator is just one of the coolest buildings in Cleveland. I remember my time as the “Tech Czar” at the City and walking through threw this building and thinking, “No way.” I have to give props to King Hill again – he had a vision of what could happen at Tyler Elevator. Now two years later you have DigiKnow, Analiza, PCHelps, APG, Sparkbase and Village Wireless as tenants in Tyler Elevator. When someone tells you it can’t happen in Cleveland, let them know they are full of crap and that, indeed, can happen in Cleveland.

 ·         I had the honor of being a presenter at the NEOSA Tech Awards. This is the second year for these awards and is beginning to have the feel of Cleveland’s tech industry’s “Academy Awards.” Good times.

 ·         Rachel and I also headed over to Anatomy one night to participate in Ingenuity’s launch party. We drank martinis all night and enjoyed great conversations with the whole crew…though, I wish I could get Andy and Eric over at Insivia to stop stalking me.

 ·         Working with my best friend John Heaney on a new radio show program – Rapid-Fire Radio (www.rapid-fireradio.com). The show is almost ready and will be on WHK 1420AM every Sunday night.  I will let you know more details as we get closer to launch.

 ·         Things at FIT Technologies are occurring at the speed of blur. The two founders of FIT – Micki Tubbs and Michelle Tomallo are finalists for the regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. They are also going to be on the cover of a local business magazine. And the place is just a cool place to work. I have forgotten what a suit feels like. Check us out @ www.fittechnologies.net.

Just a brief overview of my life the last few weeks. Keep in touch and I promise to be blogging a lot more in the future. Peace out.

Posted by Tech Czar at 22:04:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Tuesday | May 13, 2008

Digital Cocktails V2.0 - Tyler Elevator

It is with great excitement that I announcing the next Digital Cocktails – the coolest networking venture for the Cleveland Tech and Creative Services scene! The event is but a few short days away. Come join us, Cleveland!

Digital Cocktails is the name given to a night of networking and socializing amongst the members of Cleveland’s tech community. Digital Cocktails is open to technology enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and other business professionals interested in the technology arena. The aim is to have one at least every quarter so everyone can keep their finger on the pulse of this dynamic industry!

This version of Digital Cocktails will be held on May 15th from 6pm to 9pm at the new corporate offices of APG Office Furnishings in one of the coolest buildings in Cleveland – Tyler Elevator. Tyler Elevator has turned into a fantastic tech hub for Cleveland as it is now the home of DigiKnow, APG, Sparkbase, Analiza and Wireless Village. APG will provide complimentary appetizers and drinks.

If you have any questions or are interested in hosting a Digital Cocktails event, get in touch! Please RSVP to Sean Regan – information is below. And as always you are always welcome to connect with me – Michael C. DeAloia @ 216.583.5049 or at mdealoia@fittechnologies.net. Many thanks to APG for stepping up and providing a great venue and is sure to be fantastic food and beverages for all us. I hope you can join us for what will be a great event.

RSVP – Sean Regan, APG Office Furnishings
216.357.2032
sregan@apgof.com
www.apgof.com
3615 Superior Avenue – Seventh Floor
Building 44
Posted by Tech Czar at 15:55:26 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Monday | April 21, 2008

Forever Mantras

Hey kids – just wanted to inform you of a new book by yours truly. “Forever Mantras” is my second book of poetry and is now available at Lulu.com (the working man’s publisher) @ www.lulu.com/mdealoia. I hope you will take a look and check out some of the new poems and I have to say the book starts off with one hell of a essay (which is partly true and a wee bit fancy). This time the book is in a cool soft cover and costs only $15.95 and downloads are only $2.95. Support a local artist. If you buy the book and see me around I will gladly make it a signed copy. I have to say there are some really gorgeous poems in the collection and a few that are nowhere near lucid. So….I hope you enjoy!

Live well. Love often. Create.
Posted by Tech Czar at 10:52:29 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Tuesday | April 08, 2008

Velocity/2008

Every day companies in Northeast Ohio innovate, compete and succeed in the global marketplace. Velocity/2008 is an event designed to celebrate these companies, highlighting how each one uses innovative processes, procedures and technologies to produce outstanding results.

 The Networking Committee of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club along with NEOSA, FIT Technologies and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland invite you and your company to participate in Velocity/2008 on May 29, 2008 at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. The event begins @ 4:30pm with open networking. A brief presentation from King Hill, founder of DigiKnow follows @ 6:00pm. Networking will continue until 9pm.

The cost to participate in this event as a company is $299. Each company will receive a table, access to the substantial audio visual equipment within Idea Center, display banner for their area, tickets for your staff, and the ability to network with the other companies and attendees. It is you chance to show off what you do, how you do it and how you are adding to the “velocity” of the economy.

 Velocity/2008 is requesting companies within four primary areas to participate in the show: traditional technology (e.g. software, hardware), materials, manufacturing and bio-technology. Each company will have the opportunity to showcase its innovations and network with each other and the Greater Cleveland community.

If interested in Velocity/2008 please contact Dan Young of DXY Solutions @ 216.375.7974 or at danyoung@dxysolutions.com. This event will rock! Cutting edge companies in a cutting edge facility in Downtown Cleveland – good stuff!
Posted by Tech Czar at 14:37:14 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday | March 28, 2008

NOTACON - Get it on!

NOTACON, an annual conference held in Cleveland, Ohio, explores and showcases technologies, philosophy and creativity often overlooked at other "hacker cons". The desire of Notacon is not to supplant other events, but complement them and strike a balance that has gone unnoticed in the Cleveland community for far too long.

With each new year Notacon builds upon the successes and knowledge of the previous years. The goal is to enlighten, educate, and entertain attendees, presenters, and staff alike. The conference tries to accomplish this by finding new ways to apply technology to graphics, art, music, or social interaction.

 I had the honor of speaking to this engaged group a few years back during my days as "Tech Czar," and it was a great event that is critical to the success of Cleveland.

Notacon is creativity: Participate in North America's largest demoparty, Blockparty. Try your hand at powerpoint karaoke.
Notacon is technology: Rural technology, academic internet studies, personal privacy and computer security.
Notacon is music: Learn to create and use circuit bending instruments. Engage in experimental music performances.
Notacon is imagination: Move data using Anything but Ethernet.
Notacon is participation: Talk on Notacon Radio. Create a competition entry. Enjoy interactive art.

Get connected at Notacon.

www.notacon.org
Posted by Tech Czar at 14:47:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Friday | March 21, 2008

Tech Czar Alert: Senator Sherrod Brown to Hold Town Hall Meeting with Tech Companies

Cleveland, OH—Senator Sherrod Brown will hold a Town Hall meeting with representatives from local technology companies on Monday, March 24 at 2:00pm in the 2nd floor conference room of the Idea Center Building at 1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

 FIT Technologies, one of the many companies who will join the meeting on Monday, moved to the Playhouse Square area of Downtown Cleveland two years ago.  “There are clearly opportunities for collaboration within the tech district that is evolving here in at Playhouse Square,” stated Micki Tubbs, President of FIT Technologies.  “Having Senator Brown convene a group of people to get ideas on how to assist in growing the tech sector in Cleveland will prove to be very beneficial.”

During the past four years over 35 technology-based companies have moved into the City of Cleveland – these companies now employ over 1,000 people. Topics for the meeting may include ways in which his office can stimulate growth, support collaborative efforts between business and education, and create job opportunities in the Cleveland market.

Members of the general public are welcome to attend the meeting.
Posted by Tech Czar at 14:38:59 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |

Saturday | March 01, 2008

My Last 24-Hours

I often like to tell people that I live a “Manhattan-influenced life-style” in Cleveland. Meaning I am out and about in Cleveland and that there is always, and I mean always, something to do. The past 24-hours go a long way in highlighting this fact. Consider this my own personal “twitter” for the masses:

·         Posted “Re: The Medical Mart” on Tech Czar Notes (gets posted on Brewed Fresh Daily and a lot of dialogue continues on the Notes site –good stuff!).
·         Some quick dialogue with George Nemeth; we talk “about absolutely nothing.”
·         Rachel buys us tickets for the Hives – (“Hate to say I told you so….” Kick ass music).
·         Call best friend John Heaney – we score some duckets to the opening game for the new Cleveland arena football team.
·         Help secure a condo in the Pinnacle Building for a class at the Cleveland Institute of Art for an art show. Very cool stuff.
·         Met with Joe Marinucci of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (great conversations on the history of Cleveland).
·         Parked my car for meeting with Marinucci in the Tower City parking garage (reminds me something out of 1970’s movie about a New York Cop) – essentially the garage is the old Union Terminal train facility.
·         After meeting with DCA drive over to Little Bar in Warehouse District. Share a few good pints with Gina Nicola as we discuss next steps with our cool e-commerce concept – LemonPudding.com.
·         Left Gina at Little Bar to head over to Union Club to host a fund-raiser for Joe Cimperman (www.joecimperman.com). Raised some coin.
·         Quick conversation with Henry Gomez of the “Pee-Dee,” he thanks me for calling him “the hardest working man in the Fourth Estate.” He is and deserves the props.
·         After fund-raiser a little dinner at the Union Club – short-ribs in a rich Kansas City sauce and chicken pot-stickers. A few Kettle One gimlets.
·         A quick martini at Budapest Blue on W. 28th near Detroit Avenue.
·         Get home/crash on my comfy couch.
·         Wake up early in the morn – run!
·         Head on over to Zen Salon and get my head shaved. I look like a fresh, new Marine recruit at Paris Island.
·         Going to meet Rachel at Gypsy Bean.
·         Another meeting with Gina Nicola and crew over planning launch of LemonPudding.com

Just how exciting is all this cool stuff! I am a blessed man. And remember, my friends, you can do this too!

Posted by Tech Czar at 15:55:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |