ITC Hosts Annual Gathering for the State of Technology event.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Idaho Technology Council Hosts 2025 State of Technology Luncheon and Small Business Showcase


Boise, ID — May 7, 2025 — Yesterday, the Idaho Technology Council (ITC) brought together more than 250 business, technology, and civic leaders for its 2025 State of Technology Luncheon, held at JUMP in downtown Boise. The sold-out, standing-room-only event celebrated innovation, investment, and the continued rise of Idaho’s technology sector.



Board Gathering and Special Guests

The day began with 35 of ITC’s 50-member Board of Trustees gathering for one of their annual in-person meetings. They were joined by Idaho Governor Brad Little and Kelly Loeffler, the newly appointed 28th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, who both affirmed their support for ITC’s leadership in driving technology growth across the state. The ITC Board—comprising educators, tech leaders, and industry professionals—works collaboratively to support Idaho’s fast-evolving innovation economy.


Luncheon Program Highlights

Following the Board meeting, trustees joined attendees in JUMP’s Pioneer Room for the luncheon. Jessica Cafferty, Founder and President of Route Networking Group and ITC Vice Chair, emceed the event—welcoming guests, recognizing sponsors, Alturas, Key Bank and Meta, and honoring veterans and ITC Board members.

Blake Hansen, Founder of Alturas and Title Sponsor, opened the program with a message on Idaho’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Hansen also presented highlights from the Idaho Deal Flow Report, a signature publication tracking investment trends, M&A activity, and business growth statewide. Hansen revealed over a decade of success stories in large investments into and as exits.

Holli Davies, Regional Community Development Manager at Meta, spoke about Meta’s infrastructure investments and the importance of local partnerships. She expressed Meta's commitment to communities that they choose to build their data centers.

Alice Crisci, Founder and CEO of Ovum Health, then delivered a powerful narrative of her journey as a cancer survivor and entrepreneur, describing how Ovum Health is using technology to redefine fertility care and preservation.

Scott Schlange, Idaho Market President at KeyBank, introduced SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler,  who celebrated Idaho’s entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week and reaffirmed the SBA’s nationwide commitment to small business and tech sector success. Earlier that morning, she participated in a presentation of Idahos small businesses of the year, including ITC member, Derik Ellis, founder of Vessel as the Veteran Idaho small business of the year.


Diane Bevan, ITC President and CEO, then acknowledged sponsors and welcomed guests to the Small Business Showcase, featuring 12 emerging companies and their innovations.

Attendees also heard from leaders and changemakers across several key sectors:

Adam Rak, Executive Director of CyberUSA, discussed collaborative cybersecurity readiness and action strategies to protect critical infrastructure.

Andrew Crapuchettes, Founder and CEO of RedBalloon, spoke about the entrepreneurial opportunities in Idaho and shared growth strategies from his own ventures—emphasizing how he has used technology and data to drive talent retention and innovation.

Carmen Achabal, Senior Director at Micron, gave an update on the company’s $15 billion Idaho expansion and detailed new semiconductor workforce initiatives. She showed an aerial video of the construction site revaling the massive size to be 2 football fields wide by 5 long, for a total  of 10 fields in size.

Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff at the Idaho State Department of Education, shared updates on statewide programs aimed at equipping students with essential digital and career skills and announced to successful win in the most recent legislative session with Digital Literacy crossing the finish line as now a 1 credit HS requirement. This new ruling will go into effect in 3 years giving time to implement it into all Idaho school districts. Greg thanked the ITC for the many years of support in this effort.

Nathan Foss, of Natcast, unveiled a new and improved Knowledge Report with an interactive data dashboard to tract tech jobs, tech workforce, tech employers as well as informative trends.

To conclude the program, Diane Bevan presented the official ITC Impact Report, showcasing the Council’s statewide collaborations, key initiatives, and growing influence in shaping Idaho’s tech future. She express her gratitude for a successful first year as the new President and CEO and is excited to move the organization forward utlizing technology to grow and scale.


Breakout Workshops: "The Event After the Event"

Attendees then moved to JUMP’s 5th floor for a series of dynamic breakout sessions designed to foster deeper engagement and learning. Sessions included:

Investing in Innovation — Sheli Gartman, Whole Human Consulting

Mentorship through TechBridge — Betsy Davies, ITC Vice President of Operations

AI Tools for Small Business — Irene Gonzalez, SBA Business Opportunity Specialist

Cybersecurity Trends and Preparedness — Adam Rak, Executive Director, CyberUSA

Semiconductor Workforce Development — Carmen Achabal (Micron) & Dan Lamborn  (Boise State University)

Exporting Tech & Services Globally — Tracy Day  (Idaho Commerce) & Jennifer Verndon (U.S. Commercial Service)

These interactive sessions capped off the day with actionable insights, connections, and collaborative energy to carry Idaho’s innovation economy forward.


About the Idaho Technology Council

The Idaho Technology Council has a mission to build a strong tech community in Idaho by bringing people together, supporting tech education, and advocating for policies that promote sustainable growth. Together, we’re making Idaho a top destination for technology and innovation.

The Idaho Technology Council is a membership organization committed to increasing awareness of a thriving technology ecosystem statewide. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative tech community in Idaho by acting as a catalyst that brings together leaders, drives collaboration across all industries, and advocates for tech growth. As a nucleus of thought leaders, innovation, and tech advocacy, we empower government, industry, and reinvestment. Our mission is to position Idaho as a premier tech destination by attracting tech companies and talent, driving educational support and policy, convening tech leadership, and initiating conversations on emerging topics. 

WiTECH Summit Launches with Impact: Tech Powered. Women Led.

by Diane Bevan • 12 December 2025
WiTECH Summit Launches with Impact: Tech Powered. Women Led.

Meet Zach Adams

by Tim Munkres • 11 December 2025
Introducing: Zach Adams, CEO & Co-Founder, Pitch Aeronautics Describe the business/organization you work for: I'm the co-founder of Pitch Aeronautics. Pitch Aeronautics provides weather-based data insights to electric utilities enabling them to push more power through existing lines, increase reliability, and decrease wildfire risk. We use a vertical stack of technologies including AI/ML weather software, IoT power-line mounted weather stations, and a ultraprecise drone which can install these sensors and other components on energized power lines. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? When I was finishing up my dissertation I felt like the technology I developed would just be stranded in academia. I brought this up to Ian Gibson, a friend and classmate of mine from the Air Force Academy, and he suggested we see if we could start a business to commercialize it. We certainly would have never guessed we would end up helping utilities increase electric transmission capacity! What sets this business apart from others in the industry? We've made the only drone in the world capable of installation different components on energized power-lines. This platform enables us to install IoT sensors and other components at far lower costs and ultimately aggregate better data for utilities. We use this data to provide better forecasts for transmission capacity, wildfire risk, and more. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? Every stage of business has had it's challenges and I am thankful we've gotten to learn and grow from each one of them. When we were first starting out it was learning how to communicate and pinpoint the value of the technology. Now it's figuring out how to deliver for all the customer orders, juggling HR, and working with strategic partners. It's the challenges that make it fun! What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Talk to as many customers as you can About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Zach on LinkedIn HERE Check out Pitch Aeronautics HERE

Meet Ismar Vallecillos

by Tim Munkres • 11 December 2025
Introducing: Ismar Vallecillos, Western Governors University, Regional Director of Operations Describe the business/organization you work for: Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit, fully online, accredited university driven by a mission to expand access to high quality, affordable education for working adults across the United States. Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, WGU pioneered the competency-based education model, allowing students to progress through coursework based on their ability to demonstrate mastery, rather than seat time. Serving over 195,000 students and boasting more than 360,000 graduates, WGU offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in high-demand fields such as business, information technology, health professions (including nursing), and teaching. WGU is recognized for its innovative use of technology, commitment to student success, and deep partnerships with employers and workforce development agencies nationwide. The university works to close skill gaps, promote social mobility, and deliver measurable economic impact through education that is accessible, equitable, and responsive to regional needs. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? What sets WGU apart is its competency-based model, which lets students advance by demonstrating mastery—not by spending a set amount of time in class. Combined with flat-rate tuition, personalized mentoring, and fully online programs, WGU offers a flexible, affordable, and career aligned education that adapts to the lives of working adults—unlike most traditional or even other online universities. Share something you love about Idaho, or a specific community you serve, or any special projects you would like to share with our followers, or even something specific you love or want to share about the company you represent. My connection to Idaho began with my 2-year mission, which placed me in various towns and cities across eastern Idaho. As an education professional, I lived in Rexburg while working for BYU-Idaho. Having lived in various rural communities, I became aware of the need for flexible and affordable education among rural communities. With this understanding in mind, I have labored to expand awareness of the value that WGU's online degrees can bring to members of these communities. Online education is the key to helping rural communities to train, educate, and keep their members within the community. What inspired you to join the ITC? I was inspired to join the Idaho Technology Council because I believe in its mission to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and elevate Idaho’s position as a leader in tech. As someone passionate about expanding access to education and career opportunities—especially in underserved regions—I saw the ITC as a natural fit. It offers a powerful platform to connect industry, education, and workforce leaders to shape Idaho’s tech future in meaningful, forward-thinking ways. What are you looking forward to the most about serving as a board member of the ITC? As a leader in education, I am looking forward to contributing to Idaho's tech future through workforce development. At the heart of any industry's growth is a well prepared and skilled workforce. This can only be accomplished through the right collaborative environment between educational institutions and leading industries. What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network? As a leader in education, I’m most looking forward to contributing to Idaho’s tech future by helping build a stronger, more agile workforce. At the heart of any thriving industry is a pipeline of well-prepared, highly skilled professionals. I believe this can only be achieved through intentional collaboration between educational institutions and leading industries. By serving on the ITC board, I’m excited to help bridge those sectors—aligning academic programs with real-time workforce needs, promoting access to tech career pathways across all communities in Idaho, and supporting innovation that keeps Idaho competitive. It’s an incredible opportunity to shape not only the future of tech in our state, but to create sustainable upward mobility for the next generation of talent. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Ismar on LinkedIn HERE Check out WGU HERE