Jeff Tollefson, veteran technology leader and entrepreneur, named as Minnesota High Tech Association President
MINNEAPOLIS, July 8, 2019 — The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) announced today that Jeff Tollefson will serve as its next president, effective August 5, 2019. Tollefson was most recently the chief strategic growth officer of Genesys Works, a $25 million workforce development non-profit, and is a well-known member of the Twin Cities technology community.
“Through his previous positions at for-profit and non-profit organizations, Jeff brings excellent experience building, growing and leading organizations, a demonstrated ability to catalyze teams around missions and strategies and great skill in developing and leveraging partnerships,” said Scott Singer, chair of the board, MHTA. “Jeff is a successful leader and we are excited to utilize his strengths to promote the growth and sustainability of Minnesota’s technology-based economy.”
Tollefson was selected for this role because of his dedication to supporting and growing Minnesota’s innovation economy.
“I’ve long admired the work of the MHTA and the important role it plays in providing a unified, influential voice for member companies on issues impacting our technology and innovation ecosystems,” said Tollefson. “MHTA has been, and must continue to be, a respected thought leader, convener and collaborator driving the success of Minnesota’s innovation economy. I’m thrilled to be joining MHTA at this pivotal time.”
Tollefson has more than 20 years of professional leadership and growth experience in the Twin Cities, having previously served as co-founder and general partner of Crescendo Ventures and founding executive director of Genesys Works Twin Cities.
At Genesys Works, Tollefson helped provide pathways to career success in the tech field for thousands of high school students from low-income backgrounds through skills training and year-long internships. Tollefson credits the early success of the program to the connections and credibility that MHTA provided for its launch in 2008.
“I’m eager to work with member companies and community partners to build the tech talent pipeline that businesses need to ensure continued economic success, particularly as it related to accessing and developing talent currently underrepresented in today’s tech workforce,” Tollefson said.
About the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
The Minnesota High Tech Association is an innovation and technology association united in fueling Minnesota’s prosperity and making Minnesota a top five technology state. We bring together the people of Minnesota’s science and technology ecosystem and lead the way in bringing science and technology issues to leaders at Minnesota’s Capitol and Washington, D.C. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. Our members include organizations of every size − involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota.
mntech.org | @MHTA | @minnesota-high-tech-association
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