Baltimore Business Journal, 7/9/2012 (2012 BDPA Conference)

BDPA to Hold Career Fair in Baltimore. A leading association of black information technology and engineering professionals will arrive in Baltimore next month for its 34th annual conference and career fair. Members of the Black Data Processing Associates, a Largo-based nonprofit, will gather at the Baltimore Hilton on Aug. 1 for the “Transforming the IT Professional” conference. The event will run through Aug. 4.

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Baltimore Business Journal, 11/20/2009 (John Eckenrode)

Maryland tech tax heroes go from political neophytes to savvy fundraisers. In 2007, Maryland’s information technology industry got its crash course in politics. Two years later, it’s the model student. A group of tech community leaders has organized a $1,000-per-head fundraiser for Gov. Martin O’Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. The dinner event is scheduled for Dec. 1 in a private home. But organizers say it’s not about paying for political influence — just about keeping the ear of those who wield the power. “We’re not trying to buy support or votes,” said John Eckenrode, CEO of CPSI, an IT company in Catonsville. “We’re just trying to buy access so we can make our best case when legislation comes down the pike.”

NOTE: John Eckenrode is a member of BETF Board of Directors.

Read the rest of the Baltimore Business Journal article here.