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 19:54:42 | Permalink | Comments (3)

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 22:48:18 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Thursday, June 5, 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 15:26:29 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Wednesday, June 4, 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 02:04:39 | Permalink | Comments (1) »