Layne is a member of the Idaho Technology Council

Introducing Steve Wood, V.P., Global Services & Support, Ericsson


Steve recently joined the Board of Trustees of the ITC, representing Ericsson. We invite you to get to know Steve Wood.


Describe the business/organization you work for:

Ericsson is a global leader in information and communication technology (ICT) providing hardware, software, and services for connectivity to the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Cradlepoint is the global leader in wireless WAN connectivity providing hardware, software and services to the largest enterprise customers in the world. Cradlepoint became part of the Ericsson family in 2020 and is part of the Enterprise Wireless Solutions business unit providing wireless WAN, security and private cellular networking solutions to enterprises around the globe.



What sets this business apart from others in the industry?

Ericsson's Enterprise Wireless Solutions is at the forefront of technology and the paradigm shift that has and is occurring in cellular communications' evolution from a voice connection for the masses to key data connection for the enterprise. Ericsson is uniquely positioned in providing solutions to both the telecommunications providers as well as the enterprises who consume those telecommunications services. As such, Ericsson solutions have the ability to provide unique value by integrating end to end. Ericsson is a technology leader in cellular and is bringing that leadership to the solutions for both telecommunications providers as well as enterprises at a level of integration that is very difficult for others to match and keep pace.


Share something you love about Idaho, and the community.

While I was raised and educated in Wyoming, my entire professional career has taken place in Idaho. However, my Idaho roots run deep. I spent summers working on the family farm in the Malad Valley splitting time between the dairy operation morning and night, raising hay & grain, running range cattle as well as a calf each summer to take to the fair to make my wages for the season. I learned the value of honest, hard work and pulling together as a community to accomplish larger goals. It was here I learned to lend a hand and not point a finger. It was here I learned to be humble and hungry or surely I would be if I weren't. I love our Idahoan spirit of the west wherein we aren't afraid to make bold choices and take risks and work hard to accomplish audacious goals.


What inspired you to join the ITC?

I have been very blessed to have had wonderful teachers and mentors along my journey. One of those mentors and recent ITC Hall of Fame inductee, George Mulhern reached out to me and suggested I think about joining the ITC. We had talked about giving back and sharing the benefits of the knowledge gained along the way with other Idahoans. I attended the 2024 induction ceremony and the energy and commitment from so many to a higher goal solidified my decision. I am hopeful that I will be able to share something that helps others as my past and current mentors have done for me. I hope that in doing so, I make them proud that their time they invested in me and my growth was time well spent and together we have furthered technology is This Great State.


What are you looking forward to the most about serving as a board member of the ITC?

I truly am looking at this opportunity to give back to the State and the communities who were seminal in my professional and technical success. I have been a part of start ups as a founder and an early employee as well as more mature companies in hyper-growth. I have also been part of companies that failed to make key decisions that unfavorably changed their trajectory. I want to be able to impart the knowledge and experience that I have gained to further the causes of the ITC and promote and further the burgeoning technology ecosystem Idaho enjoys. In my opinion and experience, Idaho technology and technologists are capable of collaborating with and/or successfully competing with any of our peers in technology the world over. I'm hoping to further that reality in some small way.


What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network?

I am active. I love the outdoors, the mountains and the rivers. I hike and backpack. I enjoy fishing, especially fly fishing. There is nothing better than drifting with my father through a hatch on The South Fork. I am an avid fitness junkie and can be found at the gym most days. I am excited for another ski season and look forward to hitting the slopes with my son. I still have hopes of becoming a decent powder skier albeit time is betting against me. I love college sports even amidst the significant changes in the past years. I am in therapy (wink wink) working through having a daughter at the University of Oregon and cheering for the Ducks who narrowly beat our Broncos. I am a classic car guy and love taking my own classic for jaunts through the Idaho mountain roads and visiting the wonderful Idahoans in small towns along the way that remind me of my times growing up and working in Malad. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you think I can be of assistance and help further the causes of the ITC.


Connect with Steve on LinkedIn HERE

Check out Ericsson on their website HERE

Check out Ericsson on YouTube HERE

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