ITAA, GEIA establish merger terms

The Information Technology Association of America and the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association are joining forces to create one professional organization that will bring together more than 400 information technology companies.

As a result of the planned ITAA-GEIA merger announced today, member companies of the new ITAA will have access to an expanded government relations program and a wider range of business development and market intelligence activities, the groups said. The merger is set to close around April 1.

GEIA's membership and programs will become a new group within ITAA, complementing the offerings available through ITAA's Commercial and Public Sector Groups. GEIA's board of directors will continue to oversee the activities of the GEIA group.

"We are creating a single place for companies to come together and move the technology industry forward, whether those firms are focused on the government or commercial markets; IT or electronics," said ITAA Chairman Henry Steininger, managing partner of the global public sector at Grant Thornton LLP.

GEIA's market forecasting reports and standards programs will combine with ITAA's public policy advocacy and other programs, he said.

The merger will provide a more coherent approach for industry's message to Washington and the marketplace, added GEIA Chairman Gene Glazar, vice president of business development at BAE Systems Inc.

ITAA and GEIA will have equal representation on the new ITAA board of directors, which will be led by a chair and two vice-chairs, one focused on commercial markets, the other on government markets. The former chairmen of the two organizations also will sit on the new board.

Phil Bond will serve as president and chief executive officer of the combined organization. GEIA President Dan Heinemeier will serve as executive vice president and chief operating officer of ITAA.

ITAA and GEIA become the second pair of professional organizations to join forces this year. Earlier this month the Professional Services Council and the Contract Services Association of America completed their previously announced merger.