PDX Women in Tech, a nonprofit working to encourage women to pursue careers in technology, has chosen Elizabeth Stock as its first executive director.

The six-year-old organization has been a volunteer group until now. Megan Bigelow, PDXWIT's president, said the decision to hire a director reflects the organization's growing size and goal of reaching more women and underrepresented minorities.

Stock previously held leadership roles at Diversa Edu and Boys & Girls Aid.

Despite years of efforts to bring women into Oregon tech, roughly 70 percent of tech jobs are held by men. And women working in the industry make only 74 percent of what men do, on average.

PDXWIT runs a mentorship program, job board, networking and educational events to encourage women in the field.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699