MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire High Tech Council (Council) will host its next TechWomen|TechGirls Power Breakfast on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Manchester Country Club, 180 South River Road in Bedford. Gerardine Ferlins, president and CEO of Cirtronics, an employee and woman-owned contract manufacturer for quality-sensitive electronics, electro-mechanical assemblies and box builds, will headline the event.
Cirtronics, based in Milford, New Hampshire, is invested in all stages of the product lifecycle. Ferlins’ talk, “In Defense of Millennials!” will explore the challenge Cirtronics and many tech businesses face around finding and retaining talent and how Baby Boomers can continue to play a meaningful role in filling this gap.
“Gerardine will address an often talked about topic among tech companies, which is finding and retaining talent. We look forward to hearing from a leader in advanced manufacturing about her experiences as the head of an employee owned company,” said Michelline Dufort, director of business relations for the Council.
Ferlins began her career as a medical social worker, a teacher, and later in roles within a traditional manufacturing business environment at Worcester Controls. She also held positions in inside sales, purchasing, production and program management. Ferlins founded Cirtronics in 1979 and in 2002 transitioned it to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) company that is 40 percent employee owned. She has a BA in Sociology from the College of St. Rose and has served on the boards of NH Catholic Charities, the Business and Industry Association of NH, NH Community Loan Fund and Vested for Growth.
The TechWomen|TechGirls breakfast series is sponsored by TD Bank and Newforma. The sponsor of the November breakfast is UNH Manchester. Tickets for the Power Breakfast are $10 for members of the Council and $20 for not-yet-members, and includes breakfast. Register here or call 603-935-8951. Seating is limited, so individuals are encouraged to register early.
About TechWomen|TechGirls
The TechWomen|TechGirls initiative of the New Hampshire High Tech Council builds on a strong community of women enthusiastic about technology and supporting efforts where girls are exploring STEM as a career or area of study. TechWomen|TechGirls holds programs for professional women to connect, collaborate and explore ideas around career development, technology initiatives, and innovation. The initiative also deploys volunteers and mentors to support academic STEM initiatives and events for girl happenings across New Hampshire.
Other committee work of the TechWomen|TechGirls initiative includes: an annual luncheon which will feature a luminary speaker, a #TechWomenStart peer group; a TechWomen Ambassador Group matching female technologists to schools, colleges and young professional groups in their geographic area; Community Partnering matching female technologists to female STEM students through programs like Lego Leagues, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, and others with STEM programs; and support of the NH Department of Education’s annual Girls’ Technology Day.
About the NH High Tech Council
The New Hampshire High Tech Council engages, connects, and supports member companies throughout New Hampshire. Since 1983, the Council has supported education, research, innovation, and economic development efforts that have helped New Hampshire become a national leader in entrepreneurship and business. For more information, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit nhhtc.org, email info@NHHTC.org or connect via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
