High-Tech Bonds in Region Become Even More Familial

There’s some new Sarasota blood in the Tampa Bay Technology Forum.

Anand Pallegar, chief executive officer of Sarasota’s atLarge Inc., is the new chairman of the group, founded in 2000 to get its members to work together to make the region a place where technology and innovation thrive.

Pallegar might already be a familiar name because he is the same guy who helped a similar group in Southwest Florida -- 82 Degrees Tech -- rebrand itself the Suncoast Technology Forum (you read about that here in The Edge in early December).

The newly named group is enjoying a much closer relationship with its cousin up north, whom it married after the rebranding to allow both organizations to tap each others’ resources.

Pallegar will be rubbing shoulders with a board that includes the likes of Christopher Paradies, a shareholder at the big Fowler White Boggs Banker law firm, who is vice chairman; Kathy Killingsworth, senior vice president of Tribridge Inc., secretary; and Greg McLaughlin, senior director of strategy for Bright House Networks’ Hillsborough County division, treasurer.

“It’s an incredible honor to lead this organization into its 10-year anniversary as the largest non-profit technology association dedicated to fostering the high-tech entrepreneurial community,” Pallegar said in a statement. “Our board this year represents a group of seasoned leaders who collectively serve as a catalyst for the inspiration and leadership that is transforming our region into a world-class center for technology entrepreneurship, business innovation and educational excellence.”

With the clear momentum building in tech jobs in Sarasota and Manatee counties, this is another hopeful sign that the broader region’s players are pulling together to make even more happen.

It’s good to see Sarasota will be well-represented at the table.