Alliance runs on volunteers' involvement

The TechAlliance@NewNevada is a membership-based operation that works because of the time, dedication and contributions of it members.

That means people like Roy Farrow, an attorney and business consultant who helps companies succeed in the rapidly changing high-tech industries.

"I came to Nevada because of the environment and lifestyle advantages here, but most of my clients are in Silicon Valley so I spend a lot of my time on the road," he explained. "For my family's sake and mine, I'd like to have those customers right here."

That admittedly selfish desire was among the commonly held motivations when the alliance was formed by five former members of the Silicon Valley high-tech experience:

- Richard Bostdorff, recently retired as vice president and general manager of Nevada Bell, now president of TechAlliance and chairman of the board of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

- Farrow, a TechAlliance trustee, practiced in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 20 years and now works with new and early-stage ventures as legal counsel in the areas of financing and strategic relationships for the firm of Hale, Lane, Peek, Dennison, Howard and Anderson.

- Ken Hawk, a TechAlliance trustee, is the founder and chief energizing officer for Reno-based iGo.com, a cutting edge mobile e-commerce company.

- Mike Reed, a TechAlliance trustee, is the dean of the University of Nevada College of Business Administration. Reed is also chairman of the board for the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, and a trustee of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

- Garrett Sutton, a TechAlliance trustee, is a partner with the law firm of Skinner, Sutton, Watson, and Rounds who practices in the areas of corporate and securities law. His law firm also works in the areas of intellectual property and technology law.

Farrow heads the TechAlliance recruiting team, drawing in other businesses and business people to participate in recruiting high tech firms to Western Nevada.

Tom Johnston, broker-owner of Carson City commercial real estate firm Gold Dust Commercial Associates, is the first TechAlliance member/sponsor in the community. His 24-year-old company also has a vested interest in the group's goal because he is building Technology Business Park at Arrowhead Drive and Research Way, northeast of the Carson City Airport.

"Nobody had really addressed the issue of research and development-type facilities here. With this project, we can set the tone for the whole 200-acre project, the appearance, the landscaping," Johnston said. "Companies relocating from Silicon Valley can find exactly the type of facilities they are used to. We've provided the telephone and electronic communication facilities they need, interconnected the buildings with conduits so one firm could lease more than one building and link them as needed."

In selling his facilities, Johnston has for years been answering the kinds of questions that TechAlliance's prospects will have about infrastructure, transportation, communication and the job market, he said.

As a TechAlliance sponsor, Johnston will be connecting those prospects with high- tech firms already in the area, such as Cubix, Calculated Industries, Bently Nevada and Plasma Etch. The local firms can share their successes and experiences in doing business in the area.

"The volunteer participation of the area companies and business people is what makes TechAlliance work," said Michael Thomas, the executive director who is the group's only employee so far. "The contributions of time, talent, ideas and finances are what will help us bring more high tech industry to Nevada."

One example is the in-kind contribution by Gardnerville's homeseekers.com, which provides Internet listings of houses for sale. Homeseekers is hosting the TechAlliance web site, www.newnevada.com. The Web site is a critical tool in dealing with the high-tech community and would require a substantial investment if not for homeseekers, Thomas said.

The Northern Nevada Development Authority in Carson City and the state Commission on Economic Development are also among the entities cooperating with TechAlliance efforts, Thomas said.

He said he will be coming to Carson City at least weekly and can meet here with anyone interested in learning more about or joining the organization.

On the Web: www.newnevada.com.

Contact TechAlliance@NewNevada.Com

- Michael Thomas, executive director

5190 Neil Road, Suite 111

Reno, NV 89502

(775) 829-3700

1 (800) 256-9761

e-mail: mthomas@newnevada.com

http://www.newnevada.com

- Roy Farrow

recruiting team head

(775) 684-6000

eMail: rfarrow@halethomas.com

- Tom Johnston

Carson City-area sponsor

(775) 883-3936 ext. 15

eMail:tom@golddustcom.com