Baltimore, MD (September 13, 2002) – Newton B. Fowler, III, Head of the Technology Transactions Practice and a Partner at Venable, has been named Chairman of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC).
Widely recognized as a pioneer in the practice of technology law, Mr. Fowler "possesses not only an unparalleled knowledge of the technology industry, but perhaps more importantly, the vision, the leadership, and the passion to guide the continued growth of Greater Baltimore's technology community," says outgoing GBTC Chair Douglas M. Schmidt.
Mr. Fowler has served as Of Counsel to the GBTC and a Board member since 1999. He also serves as Chairman of both Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's Technology Advisory Council and the UMBC Incubator Board, as well as a member of the TEDCO Incubator Advisory Committee, the Emerging Technology Center Board, and the NASA Goddard Incubator Board.
The reaction of Greater Baltimore's technology community to Mr. Fowler being named GBTC Chair was extremely positive. "Newt Fowler's knowledge of the tech community, combined with his dedication to the people of that community and the region, make him the perfect candidate to chair the GBTC," says Matt Goddard, Vice President of i1440.
Syd Rubin, President and Chief Operating Officer of e.magination, adds, "Newt has invested a great deal in the technology community. Whether giving his time on numerous boards or facilitating a sense of community, he has rolled up his sleeves and walked the walk with a sector that is continuing to reinvent itself."
Venable's Managing Partner James Shea notes that Mr. Fowler's involvement in Greater Baltimore's technology community is matched by his accomplishments as an attorney.
Mr. Shea points out, "Under Newt's leadership, Venable has been one of the first law firms in this area to successfully guide tech-based companies to higher profitability through creative technology and financial transactions. He has spurred Venable to be the firm behind a number of deals that have taken so-called "brick-and-mortar" companies into the online world, enhancing their potential to do business both in the off-line and on-line world."
Mr. Fowler recently served as editor and one of the authors of the newly published Maryland Technology Transactions, a handbook for technology officers, business owners, and attorneys who need to understand and structure IP transactions. The book focuses on licensing and the evolving importance technology has come to play in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.
In addition to his work in the tech community, Mr. Fowler serves as a member of the Greater Baltimore Alliance's Strategic Futures Council and on the boards of the Peabody Institute and the College of Business and Economics at Towson University.
He also was instrumental in creating the Visionary Solutions Group, a new initiative developed in conjunction with the Baltimore Giving Project to engage entrepreneurs and leaders in the technology community in community leadership and philanthropy.
"We really did our homework on the decision to nominate and elect Newt as Chair of the Council, surveying members of the technology, venture capital, and journalism community," says GBTC Executive Director Penny Lewandowski. "He will take the Council to its next level and we look forward to a great ride under his leadership."
The Greater Baltimore Technology Council is devoted to one goal: growing the Greater Baltimore region's technology community. The GBTC asks tech companies what they need to grow and provides it through innovative programs. The GBTC creates forums where organizations can meet, learn, and do business. Finally, the GBTC celebrates the community's successes, spreading the word that technology businesses thrive here.
One of the American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia. For more, visit www.Venable.com.