ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), Maryland’s largest technology trade association, today announced that Phil Schiff will step down as its CEO following a transition to a new leader. TCM has initiated a search and will be working with Schiff to ensure continuity for all of the TCM initiatives.
“Phil has been instrumental in TCM’s recent achievements, including strong membership growth, creating new opportunities for both technology and biotech companies; expanding partnerships and events, fostering greater collaboration across the Washington, D.C., region; and helping to secure key policy achievements on behalf of our members,” said Douglas A. Doerfler, TCM’s chairman and president and CEO of MaxCyte. “It is with great regret that Phil will no longer be leading us forward, but we appreciate his many contributions to TCM and the tech and biotech communities, and look forward to his continued support of our efforts in the future.”
Under Schiff’s leadership, TCM grew by approximately 30 percent. Despite a tough fiscal environment in Maryland, TCM helped secure increased funding for the Research & Development Tax Credit and protected funding for the cybersecurity and biotech tax credits in the Maryland legislature. In 2015, the association launched The Atlantic Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Summit and the Healthcare IT conference both designed to showcase Maryland’s global leadership and role as the epicenter of innovation and development in growing life sciences and biotech industries. TCM also forged strong working relationships with various economic development organizations and other technology groups throughout the state of Maryland, Northern Virginia and D.C. – including Betamore, University of Maryland Biopark and Start-Up Maryland – to unify and strengthen the voice of technology and life sciences industries throughout the region. The TCM Venture Mentor Program, started this fall under a special partnership with Montgomery County, gives emerging Maryland companies access to successful entrepreneurs to ultimately bolster the state’s innovation economy. TCM’s commitment to this and other valuable initiatives is a priority for the organization’s board of directors.
In a blog to TCM members today, Schiff thanked members, partners and supporters, noting “Because of the hard work of my staff, our board and members, we have grown our membership, expanded our statewide presence and proven that Maryland is a national leader in technology and life sciences innovation.”
ABOUT THE TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND, INC.
The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is the largest technology trade group serving the advanced technology and biotechnology communities of Maryland. TCM’s mission is to advocate for the interests of the technology community, further the role of technology in the Maryland economy, and nurture an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed. For more information, visit www.techcouncilmd.com.