Interview with Vanessa Valore, Founder & CEO

Mission

Helping as many people and ecosystems with innovative cross-platform technologies for the purpose of wellness within humanity and extreme environments.

What does your company do?

SandboxLife ® is gameplay with a purpose – gamification of Neuroscience for memory improvement and troubleshooting body and mind in a personalized individual way unique to each person forming uniquely around their life story and retaining that into a structured methodology.

This organization of info can be put in alliance for pattern recognition within other companies – diverse companies.

What makes your company or organization unique?

The most unique part of SandboxLife ® is the adaptability of forming around the people and organizations that use it to fit their specific needs and solutions to vital problems.

Is your business growing and do you plan to hire in the next 6 months?

Yes, and our alliance with DiverseVitality, along with a couple other companies will hopefully bring those jobs right into our backyard.

How long has your company been in New Mexico?

When I was 19 years old, I moved to NM – transferred my credits and worked in design during college and after through until 2003 – there’s a separate bio on my work for the 1990s
Valore Ventures.

What’s one goal you have for the next 12 months?

Finish integration on SandboxLife ® tech within the above medtech for DiverseVitality for pattern recognition and more. 
Space for Earth benefits and practical applications that directly relate back to the common person – space medicine ex. For the purpose of learning on earth, they are connected.

Describe where you see technology in the year 2030.

Final integration would include software and advanced apps for the plants and animals section that SbLife has to complete for DiverseVitality. First we are tracking on humans and their progress. We need to adapt software when the participants can’t enter their own information

Why do you choose to do business in New Mexico?

While in college my business boomed here and I never wanted to have a different home base, even when I have traveled extensively.

What’s your favorite thing about being a member of NMTC?

I lovve that it reminds me of everything I do – from not only tech, but that my children were all born here and that I am so lucky to call ABQ home. It’s truly amazing, plus having children in tech, more talent I hope to boomerang back home as our talent. It’s tech +NM. It’s part of my actual identity as a person.

Connect with SandboxLife® 

SandboxLife | Valore Ventures | DiverseVitality

If you are a current NMTC member and you’d like to be featured in a Member Monday highlight, please click here & fill out this form

For more information about membership with the NMTC, contact info@nmtechcouncil.org

Interview with Koert Council, Cofounder

Mission

To have the most highly regarded and professional IT staff in the industry, that love their job and create a remarkable experience.

What does your company do?

Kosh Solutions is a leading IT solution provider in the Southwest, delivering reliable, consistent, and expert technical support when companies don’t have the resources or specialization in-house. Kosh’s expertise brings everything your company needs from managed IT services for a reliable modern work environment.

What makes your company or organization unique?

I could say our depth of expertise in all areas of business technology or our New Mexico based helpdesk are what make Kosh standout, but I think our company culture and values are what truly make Kosh fantastic! One of our core values is “cul-de-sac.” The cul-de-sac value means we take care of each other both within and outside of Kosh. If someone needs help, we step up and try to be there for them. Whether that’s being flexible with schedules or making business decisions that put employees and customers before our bottom line.

Is your business growing and do you plan to hire in the next 6 months?

Kosh Solutions is regularly awarded “Fastest Growing” by Albuquerque Business First and 2022 was no exception! We continue to grow and we’re currently hiring.

How long has your company been in New Mexico?

Kosh Solutions was founded in 2005 by me and Joshua Fristoe to provide quality computer and IT consulting services to an underserved market in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We currently have 30 employees.

What’s one goal you have for the next 12 months?

One of our goals for this year is to bring our cybersecurity services to more New Mexico businesses. Whether that’s getting companies on our full suite of services, helping them obtain cyber insurance, or getting them setup with our security partner (Artic Wolf) we believe small and medium New Mexico businesses need to take cybersecurity seriously. We also offer free resources, like a cybersecurity checklist, to all New Mexico businesses.

Describe where you see technology in the year 2030.

This is always a trick question! But I think the next 7 years is going to be all about AI. It’s darn near impossible to predict exactly where it will be in 2030 however, some potential developments that we may see include:

– Continued advancements in machine learning and natural language processing – chatgpt is just the beginning!
– Increased use of AI in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, education, and transportation, to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
– The development of more advanced AI systems that are able to perform tasks that currently require human expertise, such as diagnostic medical procedures or legal analysis.
– The integration of AI into a wider range of products and services, such as personal assistants, customer service, and sales.
– Lastly, AI will for sure force us to take a hard look at romance, relationships, work, value, and what it means to be human.

Why do you choose to do business in New Mexico?

Aside from being born and raised here in New Mexico, we wanted to support and be a part of our local communities. Kosh started out by providing computer and tech services for an underserved market and in some ways, we still feel we are providing that type of service. New Mexico has been good to us. We find business opportunities to be strong and plentiful here.

What’s your favorite thing about being a member of NMTC?

We enjoy many of the membership benefits including educational seminars and access to industry experts. But it’s the opportunities to connect with other technology professionals and stay up-to-date on industry trends and developments that we find most valuable.

Connect with Kosh Solutions

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

If you are a current NMTC member and you’d like to be featured in a Member Monday highlight, please click here & fill out this form

For more information about membership with the NMTC, contact info@nmtechcouncil.org

Interview with Bill Moreland, Account Manager

Mission

Be Bold, Be Kind. That may sound like something from a corporate marketing cubicle, but it’s not. It summarizes who we are: a culture of high-performing innovators with brash ideas and a passion for the power of technology.

What does your company do?

Ascendion delivers full lifecycle digital engineering with modern tech capabilities that transform experiences, engineer new software products, and deliver on new talent models for the future.

What makes your company or organization unique?

Building the software that shapes our lives begins with talent. We have engaged people primed for innovation and agility with new methods, communities of practice, and tools for the job. The Ascendion communities of practice allow us to engineer from anywhere it makes sense, align pod project teams to specific client requirements, and improve engineering outcomes with technology based on the Ascendion AVA engineering platform.

Is your business growing and do you plan to hire in the next 6 months?

Ascendion is one of the fastest growing firms within our industry, we are constantly engaging with and hiring new consultants to join our bench within some of our core practice studios. And of course, we hire talent to join projects and teams for all of our clients. We are currently partnered with 23% of F100 companies, providing support to some of the world’s largest corporations, as well as servicing clients throughout our markets down to start up initiatives recently receiving funding.

How long has your company been in New Mexico?

We have be in the New Mexico area since 2016 when we began a large-scale, bulk-staffing engagement with one of the largest personal hardware suppliers within the IT space.

What’s one goal you have for the next 12 months?

A more personal goal that I have for the company would be the individual successes of my colleagues. I grew up with a heavy sports background, and have taken that team-minded thought into my career! I love hearing updates and recent wins from my other Account Managers, and being able to see our Associate Account Managers grow and get promoted might be that most gratifying feeling ever. Being able to support others and watch them grow is a true passion of mine!

Describe where you see technology in the year 2030.

I would be very curious to see what the answers to this was 15 years ago! I believe technology will continue to grow at an exponential rate. In 2030, I imagine our world to be incredibly different in regards to technology on both a personal level, as well as enterprise level. A world where technology works for us, in order to improve every day life, as well as to shape business outcomes and incredibly altering organization structures, C-Level priorities, and ultimately what inputs shape business decisions.

Why do you choose to do business in New Mexico?

We chose to conduct business within New Mexico due to the large amount of IT and Technical clients within the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area originally, but had no idea how much we could learn about the local culture, art, entertainment, as well as all of the parks and open-space available for outdoor getaways!

What’s your favorite thing about being a member of NMTC?

My favorite thing about being a member of NMTC would be the sense of community. Not only the support you receive from the NMTC team, but the relationships you can build and continuously grow your own personal network within a group of like-minded individuals with a passion driven by technology!

Connect with Ascendion

Website | LinkedIn

If you are a current NMTC member and you’d like to be featured in a Member Monday highlight, please click here & fill out this form

For more information about membership with the NMTC, contact info@nmtechcouncil.org

Interview with Rhynda Stephens, Business Relations Manager

Mission

Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.

What does your company do?

For 66 years, Girls Inc. of Santa Fe has inspired girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold. We provide girls throughout Santa Fe with life-changing experiences and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. Girls Inc. gives girls the tools and support they need to succeed, including trained professionals who mentor and guide them in a safe, girls-only environment; peers who share their drive and aspirations; and research-based programming. At Girls Inc., girls learn to set and achieve goals, boldly confront challenges, resist peer pressure, and see college as attainable. Our programming focuses on healthy living (Strong); academic enrichment and support (Smart); and life skills and independence (Bold).

What makes your company or organization unique?

Girls Inc. of Santa Fe is an affiliate of the national nonprofit youth organization, Girls Incorporated, dedicated to providing vital, innovative educational program to girls ages 5-18, particularly those who are underserved, face multiple intersectional challenges, or at risk of making unhealthy choices. Out programs are researched based, evaluated nationally for effectiveness, and are implemented by trained, enthusiastic, and sensitive staff.

Girls are strong, smart, and bold and we equip them with the tools to remain so in the face of societal pressure to conform to ever-evolving gender stereotypes. We respect and celebrate diversity of ideas and cultures, advocate for girls in the community, and provide opportunities to all girls regardless of culture, race, disability, or socioeconomic status.

The Santa Fe affiliate was also the first in the nation to develop a transgender program.

Is your business growing and do you plan to hire in the next 6 months?

Absolutely! Along with, possibly, another admin position, we are always looking for qualified facilitators.

How long has your company been in New Mexico?

66 years

What’s one goal you have for the next 12 months?

Aside from the programs we offer at our facility after school, summer and spring break, we currently have 20 programs in 10 public schools. SFPS wants us in all schools. So our goal is to expand into more schools. We were also in 4 pueblos and the Indian School pre-pandemic. We are back in one pueblo as well as the Indian School. Our goal is to get back into those underserved communities.

Describe where you see technology in the year 2030.

Hopefully, we will see more women than men in tech fields with smart tech and AI being prevelant.

Why do you choose to do business in New Mexico?

The youth in NM are generally underserved. 87% come from low income homes and 3/5 report abuse in the home before they turn 18.

What’s your favorite thing about being a member of NMTC?

The ability to network with other strong women.

Connect with Girls Inc.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you are a current NMTC member and you’d like to be featured in a Member Monday highlight, please click here & fill out this form

For more information about membership with the NMTC, contact info@nmtechcouncil.org

FCC KICKS OFF GRANT PROGRAM TO RAISE NATIONWIDE AWARENESS OF AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

Outreach Grants to Focus on Reaching Historically Unserved and Underserved Communities, Including Tribal Communities

  —

WASHINGTON, November 10, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today announced it has created four complementary grant programs to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) nationwide.  The outreach program seeks to enlist trusted community messengers to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically unserved and underserved communities.  Partners will be provided with the funding needed to increase participation among eligible, low-income households in need of an internet connection.

“The success of the Affordable Connectivity Program thus far has taught us some important lessons, and none more valuable than the importance of trusted messengers,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.   “Today, we’re building on that progress by offering local organizations additional support from the FCC.  Our outreach partners have already demonstrated creativity, perseverance, and a continued commitment to ensuring everyone, everywhere has the internet connections they need, and these outreach grants aim to supercharge those successful efforts.”

The ACP is a $14.2 billion FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.  The program, which has served more than 14 million households to date, plays an integral role in helping to bridge the broadband affordability gap, which is an ongoing priority for Congress, the FCC, and across the federal government.

The ACP Outreach Grant Program seeks to expand diverse outreach efforts nationwide, strengthen partner networks by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help build program awareness, with the ultimate goal of increasing ACP enrollment.  There are four complementary grant programs:

• National Competitive Outreach Program
• Tribal Competitive Outreach Program
• Your Home, Your Internet Program
• ACP Navigator Pilot Program

With today’s announcement, the Commission is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $60 million for the National Competitive Outreach Program and $10 million for the Tribal Competitive Outreach Program.  Eligible applicants must submit applications for NCOP and TCOP by January 9, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Commission will follow up with a separate NOFO on November 21, 2022 for the Your Home, Your Internet and ACP Navigator Pilot grant programs.

For more information about the ACP Outreach Grant Program, see www.fcc.gov/acp-grants.  For questions about the program, contact ACPGrants@fcc.gov.  For assistance using www.grants.gov, please contact the Help Desk at (800) 518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.

For Section 504 Compliance support, please contact the FCC Section 504 Compliance Officer at FCC504@fcc.gov.