Washington Technology Industry Association Appoints Patti Brooke As VP, Government Affairs And Member Programs

SEATTLE, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) (http://www.washingtontechnology.org), one of the largest and most respected statewide associations of technology companies in North America, today announced that it has appointed Patti Brooke as vice president, government affairs and member programs.

Brooke comes to the WTIA with deep experience in Washington's technology industry and its public sector. Most recently, she served as principal consultant at Sound Thinkers, where she provided strategy, communication and product management consulting services for clients such as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Intellectual Ventures. Prior to Sound Thinkers, Brooke served as the assistant director of the Washington State Department of Commerce's Business Services Division, where she managed the State Department of Tourism, International Trade, Economic Development and Marketing. This followed a long career at Microsoft in a variety of marketing, business development and mergers and acquisition leadership roles. Brooke has also served as an early board chair and as a resource council member for Rainier Scholars since 2002, graduated from Leadership Tomorrow and, since 2007, served as a Governor-appointed ambassador for the State of Montana.

"We are grateful to have Patti join the leadership team," said Michael Schutzler, CEO of the WTIA. "Patti is a rare find. She has deep tech industry marketing expertise and she has relevant experience working in our state government. Even more powerful is her reputation as a collaborative leader with high integrity. Patti will be instrumental in helping the WTIA evolve to better serve our industry and to build productive working relationships with policy makers."

In this new position, Brooke will lead and manage the online membership community of the WTIA, delivering educational programs and professional networking events, as well as help members participate in the public arena. She will also serve as a liaison for the WTIA to the government of Washington on matters of public policy.

"I am excited to join the WTIA team. My initial focus will be to learn more about what our industry needs from the WTIA and to start actively engaging with policy makers," said Brooke. "The Washington IT sector represents nearly one-third of the state's GDP and two-thirds of the job growth over the past twenty years. I am eager to work with our members and policymakers to dramatically grow that impact in the coming years."

About the Washington Technology Industry Association
The Washington Technology Industry Association, founded in 1984, is one of the largest statewide associations of technology companies in North America. Representing more than 10,000 companies and more than 800,000 employees in Washington State, we're passionate about promoting Washington as a desirable place to start and grow successful technology companies amid a strong and connected community. Some of the association's major funding partners include F5 Networks, HTC, Microsoft, EMC/Isilon, Regence BlueShield, Verizon Wireless, Tableau Software, AT&T Wireless, Amazon Web Services, Vertafore, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. For more information, go to http://www.washingtontechnology.org. 

SOURCE Washington Technology Industry Association