During a Board of Directors meeting in San Jose this week, AeA, the nation’s largest high-tech trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, announced that Peter J. Boni, President and CEO of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., has been named the 2009 Chairperson of the Board.

“Peter is a proven leader who has the talent, vision and dedication to help AeA build upon its strong track record of leadership for the high-tech industry," said Christopher W. Hansen, AeA’s President and CEO. "This appointment continues to build upon our tradition of member guidance provided by seasoned senior executives. We are pleased to welcome Peter as Chairperson of our Board and look forward to his leadership in the coming year. We would also like to thank past Chairperson Deirdre Hanford, Senior Vice President of Global Technical Services at Synopsys, Inc. for her continued leadership and dedication.”

“While the technology industry is maturing and consolidating, there are strategic themes at work propelling additional growth, and we need an association like AeA to provide a strong voice for its members and the industry as a whole,” said Peter J. Boni. “AeA is a notable advocate for its members, providing a wide variety of government and commercial programs including unprecedented capabilities in lobbying, business and capital development, business services, elite networking, market forecasting, standards development and research. I am honored to be named AeA’s Chairperson of the Board for 2009, and envision impressive milestones and achievements for AeA and its members going forward.”

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Safeguard, Mr. Boni draws on more than 25 years of experience as the CEO of technology companies in all stages of growth, and as an operating partner with a large global private equity firm. With both the deal savvy and operating expertise that a successful career affords, Peter is responsible for developing and executing Safeguard’s corporate strategy.

Mr. Boni is recognized as a leader in both building businesses and restoring troubled companies to growth and profitability. In addition to acting as CEO for several publicly-traded and privately-held companies, he has served as a chairman, a Fortune 500 corporate executive, a NYSE Fortune 1000 president, a management consultant, board member, investor and advisor to institutional investors in both early- and later-stage hardware, software and technology-enabled services firms. His insights and lessons learned enable him to add value to Safeguard’s partner companies in areas where Safeguard can best apply its expertise, such as strategic planning, business development, sales, marketing, operations, mergers, acquisitions and finance.

Founded in 1953 and based in Wayne, PA, Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.provides growth capital for entrepreneurial and innovative technology and life sciences companies. Safeguard targets technology companies in Software as a Service (SaaS) / Internet-based Businesses, Technology-Enabled Services and Vertical Software Solutions, and life sciences companies in Molecular and Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Medical Devices and Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Safeguard provides capital, as well as a range of strategic, operational and management resources, driving growth and building long-term value for its partner companies.  

AeA’s Board of Directors will soon vote to elect a Vice Chair for 2009.

For more information about AeA’s Board of Directors, and to see a list of current participants, please visit www.aeanet.org/boardofdirectors.

About AeA

Founded in 1943 by David Packard, AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.