Brad Nellis, executive director of OHTec, is leaving the organization to join Expedient, an IT infrastructure service provider that includes cloud computing and managed hosting services, The Greater Cleveland Partnership announced.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Brad Nellis, executive director of OHTec, is leaving the organization to join Expedient, an IT infrastructure service provider that includes cloud computing and managed hosting services, The Greater Cleveland Partnership announced.
Nellis will take on the role of director of market strategy for the company's Cleveland operations in February.
He directed OHTec for nearly ten years. During that time, Nellis launched several new initiatives including; the Best of Tech Awards which recognizes innovative and successful technology products, leaders and companies; the CoolTech Challenge, a high school coding contest and scholarship program; and Tech Week, a week-long showcase, connector and celebration series of events for the regional tech industry.
OHTec now has nearly 700 members in all facets of the tech industry, including IT services, website design and development, custom application development and IT recruiters. Outreach ranges from supporting and promoting the tech community to encouraging students to consider tech careers Since Tech Week started in 2011, the event has grown eight-fold with nearly 4,300 participants last year. Speakers and events for the 2016 lineup were recently announced.
Nellis and the OHTec board of advisors, launched new services to help local tech companies with business development needs; talent needs, centered on attraction, retention and development. They also re-branded the organization, formerly known as NEOSA, Northeast Ohio Software Association. Founded in 1998, OHTec now has nearly 700 members in all facets of the tech industry, including IT services, website design and development, custom application development and IT recruiters..
"The IT industry is a critical part of the economy here in Northeast Ohio," Steve Millard, president and executive director of COSE, said in a statement. "When the former NEOSA was merged into COSE in 2004, we were excited about the opportunity to support the tech community. Now, we're equally excited to continue to build on the solid foundation Brad has built to continue to support Northeast Ohio's tech industry."
Millard added, "Tech talent needs are at the forefront of challenges for companies in our market; the work done to date positions OHTec to be even more helpful to our constituents and to the industry. We are going to continue to increase the focus of OHTec on tech company talent needs."
COSE does plan to replace Nellis, who will remain on the OHTec board.