Governor Kaine and Secretary Chopra Reaffirm Support for Telework at NVTC, TelCoa Event
Thirty-Two Technology Company Executives from Northern Virginia Concur: Sign Telework PledgeHERNDON, VA, Nov. 27, 2006 - Before an audience of more than 100 technology executives, Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine and Virginia Technology Secretary Aneesh Chopra today reaffirmed the Commonwealth's support for telework programs in both the public and private sectors throughout the state during an event hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and the Telework Coalition (TelCoa) at the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) building in Herndon, Va.
A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a pledge signed by 32 Northern Virginia technology companies, 26 of which are NVTC members and 25 of which are NVTC Board members, to support efforts to "expand or implement telework within our organizations and to encourage our colleagues in other organizations, private and public, to implement or expand telework." Gov. Kaine, NVTC President & CEO Bobbie Kilberg, TelCoa Chairman of the Board John Edwards and TelCoa President & CEO Chuck Wilsker signed the pledge at the event.
"Telework is a classic win-win," said Governor Kaine. State government must work with local and federal governments to expand telework programs as a means to address transportation challenges in Northern Virginia and beyond. Secretary Chopra echoed the Governor's support for telework initiatives and said "the Commonwealth must play a role in leading by doing." As such, Governor Kaine has set ambitious goals regarding telework at the state level-20 percent of the eligible workforce will telecommute by 2010. However, the Commonwealth realizes that it can't achieve its overall telework goals alone, Secretary Chopra said. The state is partnering with the Telework Coalition, NVTC and other organizations to spread the word to both government and business about telework and its potential impact on the future of economic development in the Commonwealth.
Joining the chorus of support for the Governor's telework initiative at the event were several members of the Governor's Cabinet: Chief of Staff Bill Leighty, Secretary of Administration Viola Baskerville, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Bloxom, Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Pat Gottschalk, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kate Hanley, and Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer. Also present were Karen Jackson, Director, Virginia Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance; members of the Senate of Virginia Ken Cuccinelli, Mark Herring, Janet Howell and Patsy Ticer; and members of the Virginia House of Delegates Kris Amundson, David Bulova, Chuck Caputo, Ken Plum, David Poisson, Tom Rust, Jim Scott, Steve Shannon and Vivian Watts.
"The NVTC is a long-term proponent of telework because it benefits the public and makes good business sense," Kilberg said. "Telework takes cars off our roads and thus reduces our terrible traffic congestion and helps our environment; it attracts a talented workforce in a competitive market because it provides flexibility, is family friendly, and promotes efficiency; it enables the smartest people in the world to work for companies in Virginia; it saves businesses money by reducing space requirements and other related expenses; and it provides operational continuity for public and private sector organizations in the event of a catastrophe." Edwards added, "having a telework capability and actually doing it at least one day per week is a vital component of operational continuity planning for both the private and public sectors; basically responsible governance."
View Event Photos HERE
