By Pat Lawrence
Vanessa Schoetz |
Vanessa Schoetz started professional life a teacher but the classroom
wasn’t quite big enough for her dreams. The Braxton county native
taught in rural counties, including her own, and enjoyed it. “I
loved teaching and volunteering in the schools, but it just wasn’t
a complete fit for me. It was disheartening to see that there were
no options for the kids past high school. There seemed nothing for
them to do to make a living in that area.”
That may be why she feels so strongly about what she’s doing
now, coordinating workforce development and affiliate services with
the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation. “Our
real issue is diversifying West Virginia’s economy.”
Vanessa left teaching to become a financial company representative.
In 2000, she made a cold call on the president of the High Tech Foundation
to sell financial products. “He was from my home county and
agreed to see me. I kept following up to sell him but he ended up
selling me. He convinced me to come work for them and I found a career
doing something to believe in.”
The Foundation was established ten years ago to diversify the economy
and help WV companies enter the high tech industry marketplace. Over
200 small and large companies are members of the consortium. The Foundation
services are directed at promoting the growth of area technology.
In addition to developing their 500-acre park, the Foundation focuses
on commercialization of innovative products designed by West Virginians,
research and development and workforce development and affiliate services.
Vanessa received the 2002 Woman of the Year Award from the Woman’s
Business Institute for her achievements in workforce development.
She’s been working to implement and coordinate training and
education for high tech workers. “We’re forming the Information
Technology Institute to be a facilitator between businesses and higher
education. Our businesses need specialized workers with particular
skills and knowledge. Schools need to know what is needed in the workplace.
We were happy to receive a Department of Labor grant to liaison with
the technology companies and find out what’s needed in worker
training. We’re evaluating long distance learning opportunities.
This focus is so important to the state, that the Foundation is a
direct line item in the state budget, due largely to the commitment
of Congressman Alan Mollohan.”
Vanessa also works closely with the Foundations’ incubator
facility. She says, “It’s a place for individuals operating
out of their home or garage to have office space with access to printing,
copying, conference rooms, computer support, and most importantly,
other business people. The start-up companies stay 2-3 years, grow
and then go out on their own. Many have been woman owned businesses.
The Foundation has a sincere interest in woman owned business. We’re
glad to partner with the WBI in their establishment and in their mission
because we recognize the importance of women’s’ contributions
and the importance of their success.”
Affiliate services are also a big part of Vanessa’s responsibilities.
She says, “That means responding to 208 member companies when
they need business support, accounting or legal services, more space,
or anything to make them more competitive or efficient including negotiating
discounted rates for goods and services like health insurance rates,
equipment or marketing.”
In the process, she’s part of exciting advances for the state.
“The White Collar Crime Center and seven federal sectors are
here which attracts large companies as customers for our affiliates.
The NASA office and National Headquarters for the Institute of Scientific
Research are here. Our companies do a lot of research and technology
for the government and we’re working toward becoming the biometrics
corridor for the US.” Biometrics involves using biological identification,
like fingerprints or voice identification. “We’re adding
three buildings to the park to accommodate all the growth.”
Although Vanessa might have made more money working for the financial
company, she says, “I’m so glad to have had the option
for this kind of life! I have a very supportive, dynamic boss. He’s
very responsive to women’s issues and is dedicated to our affiliates
best interests in every way. The foundation and its affiliates are
making plans and decisions that affect the whole state. Being part
of that, being directly involved, makes me very proud.”
For more information about the WV High Tech Consortium Foundation,
contact Vanessa Schoetz at 304-366-2577 or email vlschoetz@wvhtf.org.
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