SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. Benjamin Heuston, president of Waterford Institute, was appointed Wednesday to the Education Division Board of Directors by The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries.

As president of Waterford Institute, a nonprofit research center and the maker of Waterford Early Learning and the recently released MyBackpack iPad app, Dr. Heuston is uniquely qualified to join the SIIA Education Board. The Board represents more than 200 SIIA Education Division member firms that provide educational software applications, digital content, online learning services and related technologies across the K-20 sector.

“SIIA has a rich history supporting education,” said Dr. Heuston. “It is an honor to become a member of their Education Division Board of Directors and participate in helping them achieve their educational technology goals.”

Dr. Heuston along with other new Board members, represent a broad spectrum of corporate interests, and their visionary leadership will help guide the education technology industry during this time of seismic change. During their two-year appointments, Board members will help develop initiatives and determine the projects, activities and events the Education Division will undertake in 2015 and beyond.

“This Board election was phenomenally successful at drawing nominations from the industry’s key leadership, thus making the selection process difficult for the many education companies that voted,” said Karen Billings, vice president for the SIIA Education Division. “We know these new members will contribute significantly throughout this upcoming year where we are again looking to thrive in advancing our industry’s interests.”

About SIIA

SIIA is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 800 leading software and information companies. The SIIA Education Division serves and represents more than 200 member companies that provide software, digital content and other technologies that address educational needs. www.siia.net/education.

About Waterford

Waterford Institute is a nonprofit research center that creates personalized cloud-based instruction through award-winning curriculum, content and assessment for children aged PreK through 2nd grade. As a nonprofit, Waterford is uniquely focused on providing accessibility, equity and excellence for our youngest learners to position them for a lifetime of learning and success. www.waterford.org.