Northern Virginia Technology Council picks Jennifer Taylor as president and CEO

Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) has announced the appointment of Jennifer Taylor as its new president and CEO.

NVTC is a membership and trade association for tech companies in the D.C. area. It hosts events such as the Capital Cyber Awards — held for the first time this past October — and publishes the annual NVTC Tech 100 list recognizing top tech companies and executives in the region.

Taylor succeeds Brad Schwartz, who was appointed as acting president and CEO of the council in July. This key hire comes after Bobbie Kilberg retired on June 30 after leading NVTC for nearly 22 years.

“I am honored to serve as NVTC’s new President and CEO and to expand on Bobbie’s legacy that turned this region into the tech powerhouse it is today,” said Taylor in a statement. “I’m incredibly excited about NVTC’s future and the impactful role the organization will play to help grow and sustain an innovation community anchored by tech companies of all sizes, policy makers, venture capitalists, and academia.”

Taylor joins NVTC after serving as the VP of industry affairs for the Arlington-based Consumer Technology Association, where she launched the organization’s 21st Century Workforce Council and Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. In partnership with IBM, she also helped launch CTA’s apprenticeship coalition to help companies expand tech apprenticeship opportunities and create more career paths in tech fields.

“Jennifer’s background in the technology industry, combined with her experience with leading membership organizations, is perfectly suited for NVTC’s needs,” Kilberg said. “I’m confident she will build on what we’ve established and work to take NVTC to the next level.”

Bobbie Kilberg. (Courtesy photo)

Since the organization announced Kilberg’s retirement last October, the NVTC board of directors formed a search and advisory committee to work with consulting firm Korn Ferry to find a permanent successor. Taylor’s role as NVTC president and CEO is effective Sept. 10.

Coming up: NVTC will host its 2020 NVTC Virginia Data Center Awards on Wednesday, Aug. 26.