The Massachusetts High Technology Council (MHTC) has appointed Chris Zannetos, CEO of Westborough Mass. based Courion Corporation, to its Board of Directors. Courion was founded in 1996, and is a leader in access governance, compliance and provisioning. Its solutions are used by more than 450 organizations and over 12 million users worldwide.

The MHTC is an over thirty year old organization, with a mission to strengthen New England’s economy by advocating for public policy (policies that advance tax incentives, cost competitiveness, defense technology, talent development, and clean energy), facilitating collaboration across sectors, and providing best-practices programs. The majority of member companies and their Board are mainly life sciences, healthcare, and energy companies, with dues ranging from $500 – $25,000 depending on a given company’s revenues. (Startups less than three years old can become members for free.)

The MHTC was in the news last with Senator John Kerry, announcing the launch of the Innovation Access Network, which aims to connect local innovators with seekers of technology. The group’s 2011 board of directors includes 29 officers from leading technology companies in the area such as BAE, KPMG, PTC, Deloitte & Touche and Analog Devices.

“MHTC is constantly striving to improve the competitiveness of Massachusetts as a center of technology innovation,” said Christopher Zannetos, president and CEO, Courion. “I welcome the opportunity to work with other board members to drive MHTC programs to help ensure that Massachusetts attracts top talent and businesses, and maintains its status as a leader in the global technology economy.”

According to the release, Zannetos will be focused on education and development initiatives — ones that help build a strong regional workforce for the tech industry that attracts and retains working families.