There’s a new hot spot for high-tech, and it’s not Silicon Valley.
For many tech-minded innovators, the Pacific Northwest is now a choice location to call home. With the arrival of companies such as Intel, Amazon and Oracle, the region has grown into a thriving tech hub that’s generated $4.1 billion in the last five years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oregon and Washington are now among the top five fastest-growing states for tech jobs.
Credit Kellogg alumni with some of that growth. In Seattle, Steve Frazier ’89 is overseeing Amazon’s global expansion after scaling the business in China, the United Kingdom and the United States. Kristin Johnsen ’93 is working out of Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington, office to lead 6,500 consultants across 82 countries. And in Albany, Oregon, Dan Cappello ’89 is head of a top manufacturing company that makes semiconductor equipment for smartphones and advanced computers.
As the region’s caliber of talent continues to rise, more companies are feeling the pressure — in a good way — to elevate their game. Says Johnsen, “It keeps you on your toes.”
