October 25, 2004

Ann Arbor, Michigan – October 25, 2004 – Karen Bantel, a Michigan leader in high-technology entrepreneurship and economic development, has been named the President of cyber-state.org. Dr. Bantel, who will begin her new responsibilities on November 15, will replace Katherine Willis, the recently retired, and founding, President of cyber-state.

“Karen’s appointment to lead cyber-state is good news for cyber-state.org and good news for Michigan,” said Teri Takai, Director of the Michigan Department of Information Technology, and a member of the cyber-state Advisory Board. “Michigan is seeing an exciting and critical evolution of its economic base – an evolution that is, in part, enabled and sustained by information and communication technologies. Cyber-state, since its creation six years ago, has played an invaluable role in helping those who lead state government better understand how these technologies are really improving the lives of Michigan citizens,” said Takai.

Cyber-state.org, was established in 1998 by Michigan’s business, government and philanthropic communities. As a member of the nonprofit Altarum Institute, cyber-state serves the public interest as a nonpartisan IT policy research, analysis and advocacy organization. With a vision of helping Michigan become a world leader in developing and using information technologies in ways that better the life of every Michigan citizen, it focuses on four core areas in which these technologies have the greatest potential for impact – healthcare, education, economic development and government reform. The organization regularly assesses the state’s progress in IT use and accessibility through a variety of surveys, stakeholder meetings and policy reports. It also provides IT policy recommendations to government leaders and other interested stakeholders.

Up until the time of her appointment to cyber-state.org, Bantel served as the Executive Director of an innovative education initiative for Michigan technology entrepreneurs. The program, known as the Michigan Entrepreneurs Education Network -- or MEEN -- has received ongoing support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation which views MEEN as an important tool for nurturing new entrepreneurs – a critical component to Michigan’s economic development. Dr. Bantel has also been a member of the faculty of the Business School of the University of Michigan, helping to establish there the Zell-Lurie Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies.

“Cyber-state offers a wonderful vehicle for helping to ensure that all Michigan residents derive real, tangible benefits from the promise of information technology,” said Bantel. “As the state and local communities look to these technology tools to transform our healthcare and educational systems, improve government services and build our economic base, I can assure everyone that, in cyber-state, they will find an energetic, creative and objective partner in these endeavors.”

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