WASHINGTON (September 21, 2016) – The Software & Services Division of SIIA (SSD), the leading association representing the software and digital content industries, today announced its acquisition of the Technology Council of Southern California (TCOSC). For 25 years, TCOSC has supported the business and networking needs of technology companies throughout the region, a role that will be continued and expanded as a regional chapter of SSD.

The Technology Council is the premier forum for Los Angeles and Orange County technology leaders, providing them with highly targeted events, connections and resources. TCOSC’s programs and activities are designed to foster company growth and success by offering professional insights and strategy, executive networking, industry exposure and business development opportunities. As a chapter of SSD, TCOSC will be able to offer its members access to many of the benefits available through SIIA.

“The Technology Council of Southern California has a rich history of supporting technology and media throughout the region,” said Rhianna Collier, Vice President & Managing Director of SIIA’s Software & Services Division. “Together we plan to offer the events, networking, information and resources to help companies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties grow and succeed.”

“By joining forces with SIIA we have the opportunity to have a greater impact on the technology, content and media industries in Southern California,” said Uri Blackman, CEO of GIDEON Informatics and Chairman of TCOSC. “We are excited to join the SIIA family and deliver new opportunities to our members.”

TCOSC executive committee members will return as board members, representing the interests of the organization, and one will serve on the SSD board of directors. TCOSC board members come from diverse backgrounds and have a wide range of experience in the technology and software industries:

·        Uri Blackman, CEO, GIDEON Informatics (Chairman)

·        Feyzi Fatehi, CEO, Corent Technology (SSD Board Representative)

·        Darcy Gassel, North American Ecosystem Leader, Digital Business Group, IBM

·        Richard Neff, Partner, Neff Law Firm

·        Rick Sharga, CMO, Ten-X

TCOSC will kick off the fall with a special networking event in Orange County on October 17 where executives can learn more about the exciting plans for the new TCOSC and hear from guest speaker Dushyant Sukhija, Author of the Silicon Valley best seller, “The Cisco Way: Leadership in the New Service Economy”. Media who would like to attend should contact Jenn Carl at jcarl@siia.net for media registration.

Rhianna Collier is VP for the Software Division at SIIA. Follow the Software team on Twitter at @SIIASoftware.