Friday, October 10, 2008

Tech Group Meeting-Friday October 10, 2008

Attendance: Abdel Remani-Student,Chico State; James Bennett-SunGard; Annie Rafferty-Buttel College; Martha Wescoat-Andes;Ken Naas-Chico State; Tim Calhoon-Butte College; Bob Linscheid-CEPCO; Mike Ward-College of Engineering: Pam Montana-Intel; Moaty Fayek-Department of Computer Science; Robert Reynolds-Network Innovation; Jay Dunlap-Landacorp; Brad Ledford-Landacorp; Sam Roach-Improvement Direct

I. Call to Order--- Bob Linscheid

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 am


II. Progress Reports:

A. Delivery of asp.net course

Annie Rafferty reported that the Butte College course has 24 students attending. The group was rather interested in the profile of the students and would appreciate the opportunity to meet the students. Moaty Fayek reported that the Instructor for the course was the same as the 2.0 course taught at Chico State

B. Career Pathways-
Annie Rafferty reported that Butte College was in the process of writing a renewal grant on the issue of career pathways for K-12 to Community College to University. Bob, Ken and Linda Zorn will work on the project and involve some of the tech companies. Ken Naas reported that he has seen some disconnects and he would like to assist. Grant is due in December.

Bob mentioned that if we could use this to coordinate curriculum than this could be a major benefit to the region.
C. Job Fairs Ken Naas
1. September 18, 24- recap
Ken Naas reported that since the committee met in September that there were two job fairs. One for College of Engineering and one for all majors. CEPCO participated in both on behalf of the Come Home Campaign and it was Bob’s opinion that the Tech job fair had limited computer science students. Major interested with civil engineering students and graduates.

Some members discussed the idea of a virtual job fair. The idea had interest in the group. Members also expressed confusion over which fair to participate in. Ken Naas agreed to help get a schedule put together so that firms could understand.

Several members expressed strong support for continuing the effort that was conducted on February 19 coordinated by Kenny Spade. There was a significant number of students in computer science participating. Five firms locally made power point presentations and student got the opportunity to ask questions and talk to the firms after. The decision was made to organize a similar program this coming February at Chico State.

D. Internship Fairs
1. Wednesday November 5, 2008

Ken reminded everyone about the November 5th Internship fair. Come Home to Chico campaign will have a table and firms that are unable to participate with a table can be present. Ken will send information out to everyone.

III. Tech Company Issues-- Bob Linscheid
A. Company Reports on Talent Needs
a. Landacorp- Jay Dunlap reported that Landacorp did not have a present need but would be looking for employees soon.
b. SunGard- James reported that 10 positions are open and looking for attitude.
c. Improvement Direct- Sam reported that I.D. is always looking for good people.
d. Network Innovation- Robert reported looking for tech people for hardware.
B. Student Perspective- Abdel provided several minutes of student perspective. Students are very interested in staying local. He is willing to help get connected but encourage user group participation and student events. Bob encourage Abdel to continue coming to the meetings and that student perspective is appreciated.


IV. Education Issues-- Chico State/ Butte College
A. Computer Science Alumni Reunion--- Moaty Fayek

Moaty provided additional information about the Computer Science department reunion and was having a number of former students make contact with the University expressing interest.

Pam Montana offer to help with Chico State alumni who work for Intel.

V. Next Meeting- To be scheduled

Friday, September 5, 2008

CEPCO Tech Group- September 5, 2008-Meeting Notes

Attendance:

Brad Ledford- Landacorp; Jay Johnson; Ken Naas, Chico State Career Center; Kenny Spade-Microsoft; Annie Rafferty-Butte College; Alan Chamberlain-Golden Capital Network; Bob Linscheid-CEPCO; Martha Wescoat-Andes-City of Chico; Jerry Hight-Chico State Engineering; Lindsay Fee-Improvement Direct; Craig Vitt-Landacorp; Brain Ausland-Butte County Office of Education.

I. Call to Order-- Bob Linscheid

The meeting was called to order by Bob Linscheid


II. Notes from Meeting of August 8th (see post below for August 8th)

III. Progress Reports:


A. Job Fairs Ken Naas
Ken Naas reminded the group that September 18th is the MESA (Engineering) group job fair followed by the 24th with all majors. CEPCO will participate in both Job Fairs and support local companies who are not able to attend. Quite a bit of discussion took place about the success of the fairs.

B. Internship Fairs

The next Internship Fair is scheduled for Wednesday November 5th at the BMU. Ken will work with CEPCO for the Come Home to Chico booth and encouraged other companies to participate.


IV. Uptime Co-Working Studio-- Alan Chamberlain (see photo below for location)

Alan provided a power presentation on the development of the Uptime Co-Working Studio which is located at First and Salem Streets in Downtown. This program is patterned after several other studios located throughout the Country. The time scheduled to open will be in October/ November timeframe. The Tech group will be meeting at the studio in the near future.

V. Tech Company Issues Bob Linscheid
A. Expansion needs

Several companies reported out on their HR needs with several companies expressing concerns over being able to attract talent to Chico. Bob mentioned that companies unable to participate in the upcoming job fairs can provide specific hand-out that CEPCO could provide to interested parties.

V. Education Issues--- Chico State/ Butte College
A. College of Engineering Reunion- Moaty Fayek

Moaty Fayek reported that the Computer Science 40th anniversary reunion would be scheduled for Spring of 2009. He has created a network in Linked In with several hundred members. Companies expressed interest in helping support this event.

B. Butte Community College
Annie Rafferty reported that the asp net course was being organized and that BC is optimistic about attendance in the class. She’ll report results next month.


VI. City of Chico Martha Wescoat-Andes

A. City of Chico Economic Development Committee-October 9th

Martha reported that the City Economic Development Committee would have a report on their agenda dealing with the development of the Technology Cluster. Bob Linscheid and Ken Naas will make the presentation but tech companies that can attend would be great. James Bennett from SunGard expressed interest.

B. City of Chico Website

Martha mentioned that the City was working on enhancing their economic development website.

VII. Other Issues

VIII. Meeting Schedule:
A. October 10th, 7:30 a.m. Location-City of Chico Conference Facility

IX. Adjournment

Thursday, September 4, 2008





UPTIME CO-WORKING STUDIO
FIRST AND SALEM STREETS-Chico

Friday, August 8, 2008

CEPCO Tech Group- August 8, 2008-Meeting Notes

Members Attending-
Ken Naas-Chico State, Kenny Spade-Microsoft, Sam Roach-Improvements Direct, Martha Wescoat-Andes-City of Chico, Tim Calhoon-CCC Tech Center, Lindsay Fee-Improvements Direct, Tom Urbanowich-Auctiva, Moaty Fayek-Computer Science Department-Chico State, Mike Ward-Dean, College of Engineering, Computer Science and CM, Ken Meier-Butte College, James Bennett-SunGard Public Sector, Craig Buda-OpSource, Robert Strazzarino-College Scheduler; Jon Gregory-Golden Capital Network, Annie Rafferty-Butte College, Bob Linscheid-CEPCO, and Stephanie Couch-California Virtual Campus (by phone)


I. Call to Order Bob Linscheid

Bob L provided a welcome and a summary of the background of how the Tech Group got its start. The main topic was raising the Critical Mass of Talent in the region particularly in Chico. Natural attraction is graduates from Chico State. The focus has been on graduates and interns with an additional effort on encouraging talent to “Come Home to Chico.”

II. Progress Report on Delivery of asp.net course Bill Finley

The original date for the class was July 7th but there was lacking interest by local companies to have employees participate. Robert Strazzarino suggested that local companies needs staff that already have 2.0 and perhaps we need to focus on students that need the course and receive credit. Moaty Fayek thanked Bill for helping fund the one unit course and explained that the new course was going to be a 3 unit course. Consensus was the course was still needed, need to promote with current students and provide an avenue for credit. Perhaps continuing education would work as well.

III. STEM Initiative Bill Finley

Bill reported that PIC submitted a concept paper for a STEM initiative to the Department of Labor in March emphasizing alternative energy and emerged technology in practical application. Working with Chico State and Butte on an open learning lab. This would include Green products for construction. PIC has submitted a final project proposal to the DOL and is the only one from California. If we are successful, the will be a need to assist with the implementation.

IV. Job Fair Program Schedule for Fall Ken Naas

Ken reported that he is working closely with the Career Center at Chico State. He reported that September 18th is the job fair for Tech Companies and the following week (date not specified) is the general job fair. November 5th is the internship fair.

Ken also briefed the group on the trip to the Bay Area to expand possible internships from Bay Area during the semester and the needs for a remote technology center to expand internship possibilities.

Bob mentioned that it might be a good idea for the Group to consider Bay Area visits to campuses that have job fairs and internship fairs and attract those graduates to Chico.


IV. Tech Company Issues Bob Linscheid
A. Wage and Benefit Survey- while we have a representative response, not all companies hire the same job classifications. We nee two more firms to respond before we can summarize the data. Bob will provide once he receives two more responses.

B. Overtime Policies- Jay Dunlap- Deferred to next meeting.

C. Tech Companies Reports

a. Auctiva- reports that they are establishing a Bay Area location. Tom Urbanovich reports that recruiting has been more difficult. 2 full time folks in Bay Area and 71 locally with 30 in development
b. Bi-Tech Public Sector- 250 locally and company recently went through a realignment.
c. Improvements Direct- Lindsay Fee reports that company has 14 programmers and expanding as well.
d. Kenny Spade from Microsoft reported that the event held locally had great results.


V. Higher Education Reports
A. Chico State College of Engineering, Computer Science
Moaty mentioned that his department of Computer Science will be hosting a 40 year reunion. This will be a great time to bring department alumni back to campus. Bob mentioned that he would be interested in helping with the event.

B. Butte College- Ken Meyer introduced Anne Rafferty who replaced Barbara Maxey as
Director of Training. Anne comes to Butte College with considerable credentials.


V. Come Home to Chico

A. City of Chico Economic Development Committee- Martha Wescoat-Andes
i. October 9th- 4:00 p.m.
Martha reported that the Tech Group will be invited to make a presentation to the City Economic Development Committee on October 9th. The presentations will be the products produced, profile of people the hire and plans for the future, and the pluses and minus for doing business in Chico.

B. Come Home to Chico campaign discussion

Program continues with the Tech Group, web site, expanding our efforts with job and internship fairs.
C. Networking Social
In addition to social networking sites like Linked In, Face book etc. the group is looking at an event with a Linked In live type program.

D. Uptime Center-Golden Capital Network
Jon Greogry mentioned a new program that has been created at First and Salem Streets. A more detailed effort will be presented in September. The concept is basically a co-working concept similar to programs around the country where a remote technology center can be established for individuals who work in the Bay Area but live in Chico.

VI. Other Issues

A. Statewide Initiatives

Stephanie Couch, Director of Statewide Initiatives for CENIC joined by conference call to discuss some issues related to on-line learning. She reported that SB 1437 passed the Aseembly floor and was on the Governors desk for signature. This bill is a pilot program for public higher Education to compete with online programs of Chapman and National. The group discussed having Bill Finley’s group work with Stephanie and Butte College on this initiative.

B. Others at the Table
i. UVacide
ii. Travidia
iii. Ultivation
iv. K-12
v. M&I Technology
vi. Technical Recruiter
vii. Open invite


VII. Meeting Schedule:
A. September 5th, 7:30 a.m. Location-City Conference Room 1

VIII. Adjournment