Steve Ehrlich, a founding director of TechPoint Foundation for Youth is stepping in as Interim President and CEO. Read below for a Q&A with Steve, covering topics ranging from his career achievements to supernatural beliefs.
What was the "aha moment" that got you interested in working in the tech industry?
I took an interests test in college that said I should consider three careers - being a farmer, being a mathematician, or being a computer scientist. Not being too excited about careers in the first two I decided to explore computer science.
Where did you go to college and what was your major?
I have a bachelor's in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
Who inspired you most in your career?
My dad and his immigrant parents have always provided me the most inspiration in the way that I approach my career. My dad's commitment to our family and his work ethic as well as my grandparents' courage and risk taking in coming to the US from Germany in 1929 have been consistent underpinnings for my perspective on my career and life in general.
What is your favorite restaurant in Indy?
In the Carmel area it's Charleston's - we have a lot of fond family memories there. We love the food, atmosphere, and service there.
What do you tell Alexa to play most often?
Music. I get a song in my head and I ask her to play it - Marvin Gaye, Mayer Hawthorne, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Lyle Lovett, Joe Jackson, and on and on ... my musical tastes are pretty eclectic.
As one of the founders of TechPoint Foundation, what has been the most surprising evolution of the organization to you?
Early on the organization searched for a signature program, and one of the early initiatives it got behind was the New Tech High School at Arsenal Tech. Subsequent to that the Foundation's focus transitioned to STEM education, and it has really put its resources and marshaled a corps of volunteers behind the robotics initiative throughout Indiana. It was a great move - the robotics programs and competitions are having a huge impact.
What are you most proud of that the Foundation has done?
When the idea of the INITA Foundation was pitched 20 years ago to the INITA Board (the INdiana Information Technology Association or INITA was one of the two predecessor organizations that merged to form TechPoint), it's original mission was broadly described as bridging the "digital divide" and inspiring/mobilizing volunteer efforts within tech companies. The tech industry in Indiana was much smaller then, and the primary resource it had to offer was volunteers. That has changed over time with the many successful exits Indiana tech companies have enjoyed along with how technology and technology-related careers have evolved. Today, the Foundation is truly delivering on its mission - it is mobilizing volunteers and inspiring young people to get interested in STEM careers regardless of the race, gender or socio-economic situation statewide. Everyone in the tech community should be very proud of that.
What is one word you would use to describe the tech scene in Indy?
Vibrant. TechPoint under Mike Langellier's leadership has been really impressive in the way that it has supported the growth of the tech industry the past several years. He has assembled a world-class team that has really helped put Indiana on the map in the tech industry.
What excites you the most about taking the role of Interim CEO and President with the Foundation?
Stepping in at such an important time for the organization. TechPoint Foundation for Youth has done an outstanding job addressing the "E" (i.e. Engineering) aspect of STEM education with the robotics program, and it has done well to investigate programs in Science, Technology, and Math. It is now time to lay the foundation for programming in these other areas and support programs to reach under-represented groups in these disciplines as well.
What is the app on your phone you can't live without?
Waze - it has saved me so much time in my life.
Do you believe in ghosts? What about aliens?
I don’t believe in ghosts and aliens in the way that most people think of them or in the way they are personified in movies and other art forms. However, I do believe that there is more at work in our world than what we see. I think that over time the human race has adopted an arrogance about its singular importance in the universe, and it seems to me that to think we are the only intelligent life form in existence is a bit naive.
It's your last dinner party on earth, you can invite 3 people that are not of blood relation to join you at your table. These people can be alive or dead. Who are they?
My wife, Elaine, and whatever other two non-blood related people who are able to get to the other two chairs first. I really don't have a prioritized list of people for a dinner party; I've been blessed with many friends and acquaintances in my life, and I wouldn't know how to prioritize one over the other.
Why should companies participate in philanthropic activities within their community?
To address the issues and reach the populations of greatest concern to them. We live in a great country with abundant resources, and philanthropy provides a channel to make good on the strong desire "to leave the world a better place" that most people feel inside. Whether it is through financial donations or volunteerism or any other act in support of a cause, philanthropy is the perfect avenue to make those intentions a reality.