Pennsylvania Rep. Rick Geist (seated, to the right of Gov. Dick Thornburgh, holding plaque) was one of the original sponsors of the legislation that signed Ben Franklin Technology Partners into existence in 1983. Today he is chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

On August 22, 2008, Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) of Central and Northern Pennsylvania co-hosted an event honoring Rep. Rick Geist (R-79) for his role as one of the prime sponsors of the legislation that created the BFTP program 25 years ago.

The event, held at the offices of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation in the Devorris Center for Business Development, served also to congratulate the area's entrepreneurs who have received BFTP funding and those who have participated in the BFTP-funded ABCD Micro-Grant Program.

In addition to the plaque presented to Rep. Geist, a check was presented to Steve Foreman, an executive committee member of the ABCD Corporation, for this year's funding of the Micro-Grant Program.

BFTP, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary as the gold standard in technology-based economic development programs, has recently been honored for its efforts from a variety of organizations, including:

• Pennsylvania Economic Development Association
• Mid-Atlantic Capital Alliance
• Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association
• Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association
• United States Department of Commerce
• International Economic Development Council

After thanking Rep. Geist as well as the staff from the ABCD Corporation for their ongoing support, Stephen Brawley, president/CEO of BFTP/CNP, introduced two recipients of BFTP funding--Angela Singer Keating of Reclamere and Dr. Maureen Mulvihill of Piezo Resonance. Both women spoke of their experience with the program and their gratitude to Rep. Geist for participating in creating legislation 25 years ago that enabled the success of their respective companies today.