Stephen Smith of Orleans has been named Executive Director of The Cape Cod Technology Council, replacing Bert Jackson who held the position since 2018.
“This is a real labor of love for me,” said Smith, who has been a member of the council since 2019 and has been on its board since last year. “Technology fascinates me, partly because it is a great solution to so many potential problems and I love being part of finding solutions to problems.”
Smith, who most recently served as the Director of Sales for OpenCape, brings extensive experience in sales, telecommunications, and computer networking to the Tech Council. He has held sales leadership roles with EarthLink, AT&T, Verizon and Tellabs. He has balanced his 40-year career with volunteerism, donating over two decades of his time and talents to the Special Olympics of New Jersey.
Originally from New Jersey, he and his wife Maria, a retired physical therapist, moved to the Cape full-time four years ago after vacationing here and owning a summer home for many years. The couple have four grown children.
“Steve has a breadth of expertise that will be invaluable to the Tech Council as we look to grow, enhance our impact on the region, and encourage more people to take part in our programs that spotlight the innovation that is occurring on Cape Cod, the Islands and throughout Southeastern Massachusetts,” said the Tech Council’s Board President Robbin Orbison. “What really impressed us about Steve is not only his familiarity with broadband through OpenCape, but his desire to improve internet access in our region. He is committed to driving digital equity in order to deliver the connectivity that residents, businesses, municipal organizations, and nonprofits need in today’s world.”
In his new position, Smith will be focused on growing membership and steering the direction of an organization whose mission is to communicate, promote, educate, and mentor the advancement of technologies on Cape Cod, the Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts.
He succeeds Jackson, who recently moved to Hawaii with his husband Wil Rhymer after spending nearly 32 years on Cape Cod. Jackson joined the Council’s board in 2009; the next year he became its president. He also served as board president for several years.
Jackson had high praise for the nonprofit.
“Getting a chance to oversee the speaker series we have and being exposed to all different kinds of technology, from application to policy to new things coming down the pike, was fascinating,” he said. “We have so many inspirational, visionary talks and there is so much going on here in our region.”
To learn more about the Technology Council, visit www.cctechcouncil.org.
