MHTA and MTI Announce the 2000 Minnesota Tekne Award Finalists; Technology Organizations Join Forces to Recognize Technology Achievements

		MINNESOTA HIGH TECH LOGO Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) logo. The MHTA is the largest technology trade association in the state of Minnesota, representing small, medium, and large companies across a variety of industries. The MHTA has nearly 20 years of experience with the high tech community and is the leading resource for technology-based companies in public policy advocacy, economic development, community outreach, and education and training. The MHTA works in partnership with the American Electronics Association (AEA), representing organizations that contribute to technology in the state of Minnesota. For additional information, visit http://www.mhta.org. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN USA

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) have combined their respective technology award ceremonies creating the Minnesota Tekne Awards to recognize outstanding technology achievements. Today the organizations honor the finalists for the 2000 Minnesota Tekne Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, November 9, 2000 at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000620/MHTALOGO ) "We were thrilled with both the number and quality of the applicants this year," said Jacques Koppel, President of Minnesota Technology Inc. "The breadth and depth of our applicants made selecting finalists a challenge. It demonstrates the incredible wealth of talent and leadership that Minnesota is contributing in the new economy." The Tekne Award 2000 finalists represent technology innovators who have made lasting contributions to the technological competitiveness and enhancing quality of life of Minnesota. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Leadership, Innovation, Innovator, Application of Technology, Partnership, Environmental Technology, and The Genesis Award. Finalists: Leadership-Company: ADC Telecommunications, Agiliti, and Pemstar Leadership-Individual: William Cadogan, ADC Telecommunications; Yvonne Kasten, Internet Connections; Tom Keiffer, Agiliti Innovation: 3M, Genmar Holdings, Jasc Software Innovator: Paul Douglas, Digital Cyclone; Harjinder S. Gill, Entreon Corp; David Johnson, Johnstech Application of Technology: Interelate, ixmatch.com, Object FX Partnership: Benchmark Learning, Point Cloud, Soft Center Duluth Environmental: Alascan, Cortec, Genmar Holdings Genesis: Interelate, Wizmo, Zonetrader "The finalists of the Minnesota Tekne Awards exemplify the strength of Minnesota's high tech community," according to David Fisher, Minnesota Commissioner of Administration. "The state of Minnesota should be proud to have these leaders contributing to our new economy." The Tekne award represents the merging of the Minnesota High Tech Association's Laser Award and the Minnesota Technology Award. "We are excited about partnering with Minnesota Technology, Inc. to celebrate the innovation and success of these high tech organizations. The Tekne Awards clearly fulfills our mission of accelerating Minnesota's high tech economy," said Jane Brown, President of the MHTA. Ticket information for the 2000 Minnesota Tekne Awards ceremony is available at http://www.teknewards.org . The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) is the largest technology trade association in the state of Minnesota, representing small, medium, and large companies across a variety of industries. The MHTA has nearly 20 years of experience with the high tech community and is the leading resource for technology-based companies in public policy advocacy, economic development, community outreach, and education and training. The MHTA works in partnership with the American Electronics Association (AEA), representing organizations that contribute to technology in the state of Minnesota. For additional information, visit http://www.mhta.org . Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) is a leader in the state's efforts to maintain a strong economy and to diversify greater Minnesota into technology-based industries. MTI has helped more than 4,000 manufacturing and technology-based companies improve their businesses, adding more than $500 million to their bottom lines. Companies benefit from direct company assistance, information technology needs assessment and implementation, and technology transfer programs. For more information, visit http://www.minnesotatechnology.org