NTC President Jeff Costantine confirms retirement plans

For an update on this story, see THE VN BLOG here.-Editor, 11:55 a.m.

As originally reported:

Confirming one of Nashville's worst-kept secrets, Nashville Technology Council President Jeff Costantine yesterday told VNC he indeed plans his "re-retirement," but declined further comment, due to ongoing transition discussions with the NTC board of directors.

In January 2006, Costantine took the helm of NTC, following a 9-month term by ConduIT Corporation Founder and Chairman Ray Capp. Costantine had been in retirement only a few months, after finishing-up a 21-year career in information technology roles with HCA.

Costantine and Capp had followed David Condra, who led NTC from its founding in 2000 to Capp's arrival in 2005. Capp continues to lead ConduIT; Condra returned to daily operations of his long-established Dalcon Communications.

Costantine's as-yet unscheduled departure casts in doubt the leadership of the state's two largest regional technology organizations. In addition to NTC, by far the largest tech advocate is Oak Ridge-based Tech2020, a multifaceted organization that aims to serve the Tennessee Valley region from Chattanooga to Tri-Cities.

Earlier this year, Tech2020 President Tom Rogers left the organization to join Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he now leads industrial and economic-development partnerships. Nashville-based Buffkin Associates has been tasked with recruiting Rogers' successor. 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. ♦