IT Hall of Fame Adds New Members

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Mar 21, 2012, 10:15 ET

Xerox chief scientist Jacob Goldman and founders of VentureTech Network will be honored at upcoming CompTIA Annual Member Meeting

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A scientist who championed many of the technological breakthroughs at the core of modern computing and a group of technology business owners whose advocacy on behalf of small business helped build today's information technology (IT) industry channel are the newest members of the IT Hall of Fame. The announcement was made today by CompTIA, the non-profit trade association for the IT industry and administrator of the IT Hall of Fame program.

This year's IT Hall of Fame inductees are the late Jacob Goldman, a chief scientist for Xerox Corp., and the founding members of the VentureTech Network, Jane Cage, Steven Harper, Myles Schacter and Ted Warner.

The new IT Hall of Fame class will be honored at the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting April 11 in Chicago.

"As Xerox's chief scientist, Jack Goldman was instrumental in founding the company's distinguished Palo Alto Research Center, campaigned vigorously to get it built and championed its mission for many years," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. "His leadership cultivated a number of the industry's most celebrated innovators and inventions, including Alto, the first personal computer, the graphical user interface, Ethernet and laser printing."

Goldman had a master's degree and doctorate in physics with a focus on magnetism. He joined Ford Motors in 1955 and became head of its R&D laboratory before moving to Xerox. Goldman became a private investor and served on the board of several companies after he retired from Xerox. He died at age 90 in December 2011.

VTN Founders
Jane Cage, Steve Harper, Myles Schacter and Ted Warner were each small business owners and computer sales and services franchisees of Intelligent Electronics when they collaborated in 1992 to design and build what later became the VentureTech Network. This group was the trailblazer in IT channel communities, enabling its members to improve their business fundamentals and leverage a multitude of distribution and vendor resources for training and other benefits.

"This peer group gave small and medium-sized technology solution providers a greater voice in the IT industry," Thibodeaux said. "Today, tens of thousands of small technology businesses are vital players in our industry. Their success can be linked back to the efforts and foresight of the VTN Founders."

The IT Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided outstanding service to the IT channel; and individuals responsible for outstanding technology innovations. The IT Hall of Fame Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the vendor, distributor, solution provider and trade press communities. CompTIA administers the program on behalf of the industry.

IT Hall of Fame inductees will be honored during CompTIA's Annual Member Meeting next month in Chicago. The annual gathering offers extensive opportunities for IT channel business owners and executives to network with peers; discuss and strategize on issues affecting their business; and learn about the trends shaping the IT industry. Visit CompTIA Events to register or learn more.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org or follow CompTIA on Twitter at Http://www.Twitter.com/comptia.

SOURCE CompTIA