Tech Survey

Tom Lebens: Advancing Technology in San Luis Obispo

Knowing that the technology sector plays a vital role in the growth of business, as well as economic development in a community, Tom Lebens, an Intellectual Property Attorney and Partner at Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIvor LLP in San Luis Obispo and West Coast Managing Partner at Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery in Chicago, thought there was a need to understand and assess the technology landscape in the San Luis Obispo business community in order to take advantage of growth opportunities.

As a Chair of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Technology Advocacy Committee, and later as Director, Lebens spearheaded an effort to create a technology survey and forecast that would assess the technology sector in San Luis Obispo and the needs of local businesses to create entrepreneurial opportunities and jobs, bring and grow technology companies to/in the area and fill the gaps in areas where specific technologies were needed. In addition to vital support from the volunteer members of the Technology Advocacy Committee, Tom invited two highly regarded Cal Poly Faculty members to guide the survey and forecast process. Professor of Marketing, Dr. Jefferey Danes guided the survey and analysis process, while Professor of Finance, Dr. Kenneth Reiner, guided the forecast portion of the project.

Since the creation of the survey and forecast in 2004, it has become an important tool for government, public and private sectors in their economic development efforts. The survey has collected data approximately bi‐annually since the 2004 launch. Presently, the third such survey is underway. “I am very pleased that the technology survey and forecast project has continued and is now used in both City and County Economic Development efforts, by both government and the private sector,” say Lebens. “This forecast is highly regarded, and is being used by Cal Poly University as well in their economic development efforts, including those related to the University’s new Tech Park.”

 Technology Survey in the news: KSBY story