The accelerating paradigm shifts in information technology; Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Virtual Reality (VR), Data Analytics (Big Data), Blockchain (Smart Contracts) and more, will create tremendous new opportunities – but also considerable consternation. We believe that companies, public sector entities and not-for-profit organizations will face ongoing challenges with how to manage and capitalize on the impending changes. And we intend to help.Nick York—President Ohio Innovation Technology Association
The Ohio Innovation + Technology Association (OITA) is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan statewide organization of Ohio’s technology-driven companies and industry professionals formed to help make Ohio a leader in technology development and use.
OITA members reflect the face of Ohio’s thriving technology industry, representing a diverse array of informationtechnology and tech-enabled companies and professionals, from business, academia, non-profit and government.
The role of the OITA is to serve as the premier voice for the technology community in helping to shape public policy at all levels of State and Local government by:
Nick York is an entrepreneur and strategic business advisor with experience ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, universities and national non-profit organizations. Prior to dedicating himself full time to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Nick had a highly successful twenty-year legal practice with firms in Cleveland, Chicago and Columbus. Nick has been an owner, investor, director and partner in several companies throughout his career, including his most recent role as Co-founder and CEO of Transom Group.
Nick’s motivation and passion over his 25-year career has been to inspire and help people and organizations maximize potential. He has played leadership roles in a number of community and non-profit organizations focused on improving the lives and conditions of the communities around him.
Nick has served as Vice Chair of the University of Akron Board of Trustees, focused extensively on Strategic Planning and Student Success initiatives. He has been a champion of entrepreneurship on the national level as a Board Member of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) in Washington, DC, and as Vice Chair of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) the largest small business member organizations in the country.
Nick is also a Co-founder of the Mindful Nation Foundation (MNF). Inspired by the book, A Mindful Nation, Nick helped launch the organization to bring together the best in cognitive science, community leadership and proven techniques to develop programs to improve the lives of Veterans, Children, Teachers, Healthcare providers and Leaders.
Nick is an avid reader, runner and sports fan. But Nick’s greatest joys in life are his wife Karry and their four children, Alex, Sophie, Edgars and Ryan for which his holding company KASER Enterprises, LLC is named.
Bobby Kovey is an experienced business development and government relations consultant, having worked extensively in both the public and private sector.
Bobby serves the Ohio IT Association in the role of Chief Advisor. Along with Nick York, Bobby was one of the founders of the OITA.
In his role of Chief Advisor, Bobby helps the Executive Director and the Advisory Board formulate the OITA’s strategic vision, coordinate public sector outreach, develop policy forums to foster discussions of how technology can improve the public and private sector.
Bobby also is the Managing Director of a government relations and market development firm – The Credo Company (www.credocompany.com).
Prior to founding The Credo Company, Kovey worked within various state offices. He began his career in government in the Ohio Senate. Later, he served as an aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. After his time in the legislature, Kovey managed and worked on several Ohio campaigns.
As managing partner of The Credo Company, Bobby oversees the firm’s multiple lines of business – including business development, government relations, public-private partnerships, and private investment project development.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y. and raised in Pittsburgh and Northeast Ohio, Kovey is a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Max M. Fisher College of Business. There he earned a B.S.B.A. degree in Finance. Later, Bobby obtained a Certificate in Catholic Social Doctrine & Business Ethics from Catholic University and a certificate in Executive Management from the University of Notre Dame.
Bobby and his family reside in the historic neighborhood of Old Clintonville and are members of Saint Patrick Church.
In his spare time, Bobby enjoys spending time with his family, having an occasional cigar, watching movies or following the Cleveland Indians, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
As Director of Operations, nothing passes through without Rose’s knowledge. With three decades of experience managing professional service organizations, Rose oversees all the operational aspects of our business including: human resources, marketing, accounting, and administrative functions. Rose’s role as Director of Operations with all of our partners and projects allows her to fulfill her passion for people and progress. As a life-long learner, she is always interested in engaging new ideas and efficiencies within our company and if you peer into her office, you will always see a new business book or CD. Everyone is always attracted to Rose because of her true passion for meeting and engaging new people. Her sincerity in helping everyone and anyone keeps OITA’s culture grounded in what counts most – people.
When time permits, Rose enjoys traveling across the US, and was one of the first US citizens to visit
Nick York is an entrepreneur and strategic business advisor with experience ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, universities and national non-profit organizations. Prior to dedicating himself full time to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Nick had a highly successful twenty-year legal practice with firms in Cleveland, Chicago and Columbus. Nick has been an owner, investor, director and partner in several companies throughout his career, including his most recent role as Co-founder and CEO of Transom Group.
Nick’s motivation and passion over his 25-year career has been to inspire and help people and organizations maximize potential. He has played leadership roles in a number of community and non-profit organizations focused on improving the lives and conditions of the communities around him.
Nick has served as Vice Chair of the University of Akron Board of Trustees, focused extensively on Strategic Planning and Student Success initiatives. He has been a champion of entrepreneurship on the national level as a Board Member of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) in Washington, DC, and as Vice Chair of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) the largest small business member organizations in the country.
Nick is also a Co-founder of the Mindful Nation Foundation (MNF). Inspired by the book, A Mindful Nation, Nick helped launch the organization to bring together the best in cognitive science, community leadership and proven techniques to develop programs to improve the lives of Veterans, Children, Teachers, Healthcare providers and Leaders.
Nick is an avid reader, runner and sports fan. But Nick’s greatest joys in life are his wife Karry and their four children, Alex, Sophie, Edgars and Ryan for which his holding company KASER Enterprises, LLC is named.
Bobby Kovey is an experienced business development and government relations consultant, having worked extensively in both the public and private sector.
Bobby serves the Ohio IT Association in the role of Chief Advisor. Along with Nick York, Bobby was one of the founders of the OITA.
In his role of Chief Advisor, Bobby helps the Executive Director and the Advisory Board formulate the OITA’s strategic vision, coordinate public sector outreach, develop policy forums to foster discussions of how technology can improve the public and private sector.
Bobby also is the Managing Director of a government relations and market development firm – The Credo Company (www.credocompany.com).
Prior to founding The Credo Company, Kovey worked within various state offices. He began his career in government in the Ohio Senate. Later, he served as an aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. After his time in the legislature, Kovey managed and worked on several Ohio campaigns.
As managing partner of The Credo Company, Bobby oversees the firm’s multiple lines of business – including business development, government relations, public-private partnerships, and private investment project development.
Born in Binghamton, N.Y. and raised in Pittsburgh and Northeast Ohio, Kovey is a graduate of The Ohio State University’s Max M. Fisher College of Business. There he earned a B.S.B.A. degree in Finance. Later, Bobby obtained a Certificate in Catholic Social Doctrine & Business Ethics from Catholic University and a certificate in Executive Management from the University of Notre Dame.
Bobby and his family reside in the historic neighborhood of Old Clintonville and are members of Saint Patrick Church.
In his spare time, Bobby enjoys spending time with his family, having an occasional cigar, watching movies or following the Cleveland Indians, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
As Director of Operations, nothing passes through without Rose’s knowledge. With three decades of experience managing professional service organizations, Rose oversees all the operational aspects of our business including: human resources, marketing, accounting, and administrative functions. Rose’s role as Director of Operations with all of our partners and projects allows her to fulfill her passion for people and progress. As a life-long learner, she is always interested in engaging new ideas and efficiencies within our company and if you peer into her office, you will always see a new business book or CD. Everyone is always attracted to Rose because of her true passion for meeting and engaging new people. Her sincerity in helping everyone and anyone keeps OITA’s culture grounded in what counts most – people.
When time permits, Rose enjoys traveling across the US, and was one of the first US citizens to visit
Proposals are due by October 15th, 2021
Technology First is seeking proposals for speaker participation in the 2022 Ohio Information Security Conference.
This conference has 400+ participants from all industries and verticals!
Wondering if you should submit? Here are a couple reasons we think you should!
