Maria Cantwell
Vice President, Marketing, Progressive Networks

Maria Cantwell currently serves as vice president of marketing for Progressive Networks, a Seattle-based company gaining international recognition for RealAudio, software that allows for real-time audio transmission over the Internet.

Prior to joining Progressive Networks, Cantwell served in the Washington state legislature from 1987-1992. In her second term she was the only member of her class to become a chair of a major committee, the Trade and Economic Development Committee. As a legislator, Cantwell worked on a myriad of issues including the Growth Management Act, a Targeted Sector Program for Biotechnology, the Student Transportation Safety Task Force, a Transportation Improvement Board, the Nursing Home Ombudsman Program, and stricter penalties for child abuse. A poll ranking the Representatives in Olympia, WA rated Cantwell number four out of a total field of 98.

In 1992 Cantwell was elected to Congress, representing Washington state's 1st District. She represented a high tech district that included Microsoft, McCaw Cellular, Nintendo and Boeing companies and she focused on issues of relaxing controls on the export of software with encryption capabilities. She also became widely recognized as a leader on deficit reduction, transportation, technology and women's health issues.

Cantwell was born in Beach Grove, Indiana and attended Manual High School in Indianapolis then Miami University in Miami, Ohio. She spent eight years in marketing and public relations working for two Seattle area PR firms. She was interested in government early on and clearly established herself as a successful leader in politics. Cantwell now markets RealAudio in the exciting and fast-paced environment of the Internet.