The Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC) named Maryland Chamber members Tom Loveland of Mind Over Machines and John Eckenrode of CPSI Corporate Professional Services, Inc. as joint recipients of its 2008 Connector Award.
GBTC recognized Loveland and Eckenrode, co-founders of the Maryland Computer Services Association, for their efforts to repeal the computer services sales tax enacted during the 2007 special session. With no experience in grassroots organizing, Loveland and Eckenrode used their passion, commitment and tech savvy to unite and energize the tech community to fight for the repeal of the tech tax.
“Tom and John were recognized by their peers, other business leaders, for tireless efforts in educating the community on the State’s proposed Technology Tax. As founders and leaders of the Maryland Computer Services Association, they built and maintained partnerships, energy and resources toward the tech tax repeal. Their determined efforts on behalf of the technology community not only led to the repeal of the IT services tax but, perhaps more importantly, awakened the Maryland technology community to the need to have an organized voice in Annapolis,”” said GBTC Executive Director Steve Kozak.
The Maryland Chamber worked closely with them in our effort to repeal the tech tax, and we can think of no more deserving recipients for this year’s award. In addition to the passion and commitment they brought to the repeal effort, they sacrificed countless hours away from their companies.
Click here to read more. The Dynamic Duo were also recently recognized in the Daily Record’s Innovator of the Year program. Read more here.
Congratulations, John and Tom!
Photo: Surrounded by lawmakers, Tom Loveland speaks during the Feb. 27 Save Maryland IT event in Annapolis.
