Founded in 2000 with the vision, guidance and volunteer leadership of Advancia Corporation Chairman Rudy Alvarado, The State Chamber Technology Council continues to evolve through the leadership of Gary Nelson, the President and CEO of Advanced Financial Solutions, Inc. Oklahoma has significant clusters of technology-related industries in Stillwater, Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Ardmore and Edmond, and in pockets throughout Oklahoma. There is tremendous potential to grow our technology companies through cooperative efforts. We can move to the forefront in several technology areas. Some that have been identified include: Advanced Materials, Aerospace, Biotechnology, Energy, Information Technology, Software and Hardware Development, and Telecommunications. The Oklahoma Technology Council Program Objectives:: * Promote the growth and expansion of advanced technology industries. * Establish a forum for information and experience exchange among advanced technology firms and also with legislators. * Identify collaborative research opportunities and funding sources. * Stimulate advanced technology venture capital creation. * Encourage the creation of local technology councils and centers at chambers of commerce and other sites throughout Oklahoma, and support other statewide advanced technology initiatives. * Assist the enhancement of academic curricula and identify the continuing needs of business * Promote higher education enrollments in information technology, telecommunications and biotechnology programs. * Assist in developing knowledge-based talent linked to business needs. * Obtain industry, state and federal funding in support of research and academic programs. * Bring education, advanced technology companies and industries together to focus on informatics and bioinformatics, and establish a Bioinformatics Collaboration Center in Oklahoma. * Support technology initiatives statewide, including the goals of the Center for Excellence in Information Technology and Telecommunications in Tulsa. * Create a comprehensive database of advanced technology companies and industries in Oklahoma. © 2003 Oklahoma Technology Council