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New Information Technology Study of Greater Washington, DC Region Cites Strengths, Challenges and Recommendations of Area’s IT Sector
 Nearly 40 Local IT Execs Interviewed for Study

April 5, 2005; Washington , DC – Providing a current analysis of an industry that has weathered significant changes in the past five years, Greater Washington Initiative (GWI), the marketing and economic development organization for the Washington, DC region, has released a landmark technology study: Information Technology, Communications and New Media in Greater Washington. Released at the FOSE government trade show today, the study documents the area’s IT sector and its sub-clusters; it takes a critical look at strengths and challenges facing the industry and includes recommendations for consideration by business and government leaders. The study is available online at GWI’s website: www.greaterwashington.org.

The first of its type in five years, the study features personal insights nearly 40 industry leaders in the region. Executives interviewed for the study include Stephen Swad, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, America Online, Inc; Jim Duffey, vice president, government global sales and client solutions for Electronic Data Systems, Elizabeth Hackenson, Chief Information Officer, MCI; and Duane P. Andrews, COO of SAIC, among others. Authored by former Washington Post reporter Peter Behr, t he study was guided by a distinguished Advisory Committee and DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland technology councils.

The study highlights :

  • current IT trends;
  • a near-term outlook for both government and commercial markets;
  • regional strengths and challenges, including a detailed look at the industry’s workforce;
  • data comparing Greater Washington with other technology regions; and
  • recommendations from area tech experts to enhance the industry’s future growth.

    • Key takeaways from the report include details on employment statistics, the federal government’s role and IT sub-clusters. Among the findings:

  • Greater Washington has a regional technology workforce approaching 333,000 (one in ten area workers), more than twice the national average.
  • Less than one percent (61 companies) of the region’s contracting community collected $19 billion in contracts in 2003. This total represents nearly half of the annual total of all federal government contracts awarded locally.
  • A higher concentration of network and computer systems administrators, database administrators and computer programmers reside and work in the DC area than in any leading tech region in the nation, including San Francisco/San Jose.

    • “Clearly, information technology plays a critical role in our regional economy and we are pleased to provide an up-to-date examination of this dynamic industry,” said William Couper, chairman, GWI and president, Greater Washington Region, Bank of America. “The IT and communications sectors have experienced considerable changes. We learned from this study that our region has maintained a relatively stable technology employment over the past four years despite major shifts in the types of work being done. This is certainly a positive finding that places our region in a unique position compared with other major U.S. metro areas,” said Couper.

    The report is posted online, and printed copies will be available in mid-April. To view the Executive Summary or to download the entire 32-page study, visit www.greaterwashington.org. To request a printed copy of the study, please contact Tia Malloy at 202-857-5989 or tiamalloy@bot.org.

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    The Greater Washington Initiative (GWI) is the regional economic development marketing organization that promotes the area encompassing the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland as a premier business location. GWI is an affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. For more info, visit www.greaterwashington.org

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