Who's Who In Technology

Recent reports suggest that a new bio-tech firm will be created along Route 110 in Farmingdale, at the former site of BJ's Wholesale Club.

As the prospect of this technology expansion unfolds, Long Island technology leaders explain -- in this issue -- their marketing strategies as well as rate the region's employment opportunities in the technology field.

Bob Venero is president and chief executive of Future Tech Enterprise, a network integrator and reseller of computer systems, software, and peripherals in Holbrook. Future Tech represents more than 500 different manufacturer product lines including Compaq, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Toshiba and Fujitsu. It offers the resources corporations need to gain control of their technology acquisition cycle.

Venero considers finding employees who have the same work ethic and commitment as Future Tech as one of his greatest challenges. "We have such a customer-centric approach to our business and finding the right employees, more from a sales/customer-interface standpoint than technical, because Long Island has the best technology talent in the country as far as I'm concerned," he said.

Venero firmly believes that Long Island is the best place in the country from a technology standpoint. He rates the industry an 8 when it comes to job opportunities.

"Long Island is fast becoming the Silicon Valley of software," he said. "The wealth of resources available in Long Island is second to none. Home to CA, Symbol, Brookhaven Labs, Cold Spring Harbor Labs, Stony Brook University and NYIT, Long Island is helping to shape the future of IT perhaps more directly than any other geographic location."

Long Island is no longer that quiet suburb outside of NYC, he noted.

"It is a living, breathing mecca of IT excellence, and home to brilliant young minds that will continue to infuse this region with the necessary talent and skills to solidify its position as a major contributor to the future of IT in this country," he said. "It was no accident that Gov. George Pataki funded the creation of CEWIT (a $27 million investment) at SUNY Stony Brook or that the first WOC (Wireless Operations Center) in the country was created here on Long Island by Future Tech. Again, it's not a coincidence that leading pharmaceutical companies like Forrest Labs and OSI have settled here, as that industry is so heavily reliant upon cutting-edge IT with respect to constructing formulas, developing and testing drugs."

Future Tech, a $50-million company, has been in the Top 25 Fastest Growing Firms in LI for four consecutive years.

In joint partnership with the New York Islanders, it was recently selected to provide wireless technology to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, home of the NHL team. After an extensive selection process, Hofstra University also decided on Future Tech to partner with in delivering wireless capability to its main campus library, the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, an 11-story building, as well as Hagerdorn Hall, a new home for the School of Education and Allied Human Services.

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