History
The MTBC originated as a result of explosive growth experienced by technology businesses in North Texas and the Telecom Corridor® area. The strong technology business presence began in the north Dallas suburb of Richardson in the 1950's. In 1956, Texas Instruments selected the east side of U.S. 75 just north of Interstate 635 for its corporate campus. In 1957, Collins Radio, a well-established electronics company from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, built the first building of what would become a multi-building campus on a 400-acre site north of Texas Instruments near US 75 and Arapaho Road. Both companies attracted a cadre of engineering talent and eventually spawned a number of new technology-based enterprises.
Collins Radio was acquired by Rockwell in 1971, and the Rockwell unit was later acquired by Alcatel in 1991. The pace accelerated even further in the 1980's with the deregulation of the telecommunications industry. First came MCI, whose microwave network relied upon Collins Radio/Rockwell products and technical expertise. Later, Nortel, Fujitsu and Ericsson created major operations in Richardson to benefit from the technical expertise and attractive cost-of-living that have made this region a world-class center for both telecommunications and technology businesses.
In late 1993, the Richardson Chamber of Commerce (RCC) began exploring the concept of a technology council to provide leadership and sponsor collaboration amongst area technology companies on the issues of vital importance to the technology community. Following discussions with other out-of-state technology business councils and a nine-month feasibility study, the Metroplex Technology Business Council (MTBC) was formed. (The term "Metroplex" is commonly used to refer to the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.) The MTBC was launched in August 1994 by the following four technology executives who had served as past chairs of the RCC:
- Jim Carmichael, Rockwell International
- Joe Snayd, Fujitsu
- Max Kee, Nortel
- Frank J. Kozel, Jr., MCI
The initial leadership selected 80 high-technology companies as charter members, all of which joined. In January 1995, after the charter membership was established, the MTBC conducted its first Board of Directors meeting. Since its founding, the MTBC has experienced significant membership growth and has a comprehensive portfolio of member services.