John Parks, director, Innovista

The Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management met with the press for the first time last Thursday morning, Dec. 17, at the Strom Thurmond Wellness Center. Consortium charter member BlueCross BlueShield of S.C. was represented by CEO Ed Sellers, who said, "What's happening in Columbia, S.C., is the kind of information technology growth that the IT industry desperately needs. By converging business, academia and economic development, this new consortium will engender a sort of IT greenhouse that is needed in the Palmetto State and across the nation."

Other consortium charter members are IBM and USC. Representing IBM was Mark Anzani, vice president of System z at IBM. Dr. Harris Pastides, president of USC, introduced Ed Sellers to speak.

The charter members have begun recruiting organizations that use IT to join the consortium, seeking a high volume of participants at a low financial entry fee.

Besides the charter members, the consortium includes Furman University, Clemson University, Midlands Education and Business Alliance, Midlands Regional Education Center, Columbia Insurance Technology Council, TM Floyd & Company, VC3, and UNC- Charlotte.

Lee Bussell, CEO, CNS&G

The consortium will address growing IT hiring challenges, such as attracting students to consider technology careers in insurance, banking, retail, airlines, petroleum, and other industries dependent on high volume transaction processing. It will also dedicate efforts to directing students to companies that are hiring IT professionals.

Through IBM's Academic Initiative, IBM will provide software for the consortium's future site. IBM will also provide the IBM System z mainframe for student and professor use at USC and for shared use among the consortium members.

According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, five of the nine fastest- growing occupations in the country require a college degree in computer science or engineering. USC has four colleges participating in the consortium: the College of Education; the College of Engineering and Computing; the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management; and the Moore School of Business.

Dr. Ted Moore, VP for planning, USC

The consortium will occupy two floors at Horizon II on the southeast corner of Blossom St. and Assembly St. in USC's Innovista research campus. It's the first privately financed building in Innovista.

The facilities will house a data center, a board room, meeting rooms and classrooms for post- graduate training of business and academic professionals and for programs such as computer camps for high school students. It will also host incubator opportunities and space for applied research.

Organizations interested in joining the consortium can call 877.214.3513 for more information.

Amy Love, deputy executive director, New Carolina Ed Sellers, CEO, BlueCross BlueShield S.C. Jack Canter, senior vice president, BlueCross BlueShield S.C. and Dr. Harris Pastides, president, USC Dr. Sonny White, president, Midlands Tech and Kate Shaw, coordinator, Midlands Regional Education Center Dr. Caroline Whitson, president, Columbia College