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WTIA CEO Michael Schutzler speaks at a recent WTIA FullConTech event in Seattle. (WTIA Photo)
Michael Schutzler, CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), is retiring at the end of this year after more than a decade leading the group.
Kelly Fukai, WTIA’s current COO, will take over as CEO.
Schutzler is a veteran of the tech industry who has worked as a founder, entrepreneur, investor, and advisor.
He became CEO in 2013 and helped lead numerous initiatives at the WTIA, which represents the tech industry and companies large and small in the Seattle region and across Washington state. It is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
In a blog post, Schutzler detailed the past 40 years of the innovation economy in Washington state, where tech now represents about 21% of the state’s GDP and has created about 3.5 million jobs in total, according to the WTIA, formerly known as the Washington Software Association.
When he took over in 2013, Schutzler helped lead a shift to focus on accelerating workforce development and startup success in the region by way of public policy efforts and programs for companies and entrepreneurs.
WTIA’s membership grew by 5X in a few years after Schutzler became CEO.
“I am very proud of what our team has accomplished in the last decade,” he wrote in the blog post. “We retooled a traditional trade association into a mission-driven organization, focused on improving access to capital, access to talent, access to jobs, and helping the communities in which we operate.”
Looking ahead, Schutzler said the region is at risk of losing its competitive edge due to “anti-business and anti-tech populist rhetoric,” among other concerns such as tax policy and the rise of remote work.
“If we want jobs to remain and grow here, our region must not only offer an attractive cost of doing business, but we must also have our cities deliver on being an enjoyable, safe, affordable place to live and work for everyone,” Schutzler wrote.
Schutzler said he’ll remain an active investor, advisor, and “champion for entrepreneurs,” but his priorities will include music, endurance paddle-board races, and his family.
The WTIA operates a nonprofit member trade association and a for-profit corporation providing business services. It launched a nonprofit tech apprenticeship program called Apprenti that was spun out. It also offers companies business, personal, and health insurance plans, in addition to 401(k).
WTIA has 35 employees and 1,000 member organizations.
Fukai joined WTIA in 2022 after stints with Spokane International Airport and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
“I look forward to working closely with our members, partners, and stakeholders to foster innovation, advocate for policies that empower growth, and ensure that our industry remains a driving force for positive change,” Fukai said in a statement.
Fukai will join the Technology Councils of North America as part of her new role at WTIA. Schutzler is chair of the board at TECNA, and will serve his term through next August.
