NH Tech Alliance announces Julie Demers as first full-time Exec Director

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Julie Demers
Julie Demers

MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Tech Alliance (NHTA) Board of Directors on April 3 announced  Julie Demers will be the growing organization’s first full-time Executive Director.

Demers has substantial nonprofit experience in membership organizations and event management, and a strong knowledge of New Hampshire’s business and technology community. Most recently, she has been serving as the technology sector advisor for the Sector Partnership Initiative (SPI) through the NH Tech Alliance. She has also supported several committees and membership over the past 18 months.

“We are excited to have someone with Julie’s business acumen, professional experience and relationships, and passion for the state of New Hampshire lead the organization. Working alongside our partners across business, academia, and government, she will be an excellent advocate for our members, the tech ecosystem and our state. Julie is the right leader to build on the momentum the Alliance has established over the past several years,” said Toral Cowieson, board chair of the Tech Alliance.

Due to the Alliance’s growth, the organization is building its internal team that will be led by Demers. She will be taking time off over the summer to welcome her second child and will officially start on September 3. In the interim, Matt Cookson and his team atCookson Communications will continue to support the Alliance initiatives and programming. Cookson has filled the role of the NHTA’s Executive Director since 2010 and will move to an advisory role in September to support the organization through this transition.

“The Alliance board, volunteers and staff are incredibly engaged and passionate about the future of this organization. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with this group to continue to deliver robust programming and enhance opportunities for this state’s vibrant technology and entrepreneurial landscape. The growth and diversification of the Alliance’s membership really mirrors NH’s economy, especially in the tech sector. With this growth comes enormous opportunity. The board and volunteers have done a tremendous job of repositioning this organization and defining its core value pillars to best serve its members. I’m humbled and honored to be able to step into this position at such an exciting time,” Demers said.

In her role as the technology sector advisor for SPI, Demers focuses on assisting companies in the Granite State that are faced with workforce and training challenges. This grant-funded effort is supported through the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs. Prior to that, she worked at University of New Hampshire Manchester and the Greater Manchester Chamber. A New Hampshire native, Demers has a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications from High Point University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire. She is an active board member and volunteer throughout the community.

“Julie will be a great fit for the executive director of the New Hampshire High Tech Alliance. Her work with the Sector Partner Initiative has proven her ability to successfully interact with industry experts to understand needs, as well as connect with state and local resources to align programs and grants with those needs. Julie is always thinking of ways to grow programs and get traction on new projects through marketing and personal outreach,” said David Lemaire, tech sector champion for SPI and software development director at Oracle.


About the New Hampshire Tech Alliance

Founded in 1983 as the New Hampshire High Tech Council, the Alliance is 300+ members strong, representing more than 60,000 workers. As a statewide technology association, the Alliance supports companies at every stage of growth and development – from startups to established leaders in the global economy. Its staff, Board, and 120+ volunteers nurture a vibrant tech ecosystem in New Hampshire through four value pillars: talent & workforce, education & programming, advocacy & policy, and ecosystem engagement. This sector is a key economic driver for the state, accounting for 12.6% of New Hampshire’s gross domestic product in 2018.  More information is available at www.nhtechalliance.org or by contacting its offices directly at (603) 935-8951 and info@NHTA.org.

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New Hampshire Tech Alliance