Proposal This paper presents the results of a breakout session on the role of the industry's technical knowledge, or "backbone", in speeding the acceptance of new technology. The session occurred at the SPE Applied Technology Workshop on Accelerating Technology Acceptance held March 15-16, 2005. Addressed was the issue of whether it is necessary for operating companies to have their own core staff of technical experts to provide this knowledge, or whether the existence of such a group could actually hinder the acceptance of new technology which was "not invented here". The role of consultants and embedded service company engineers as a means of providing this technical backbone is discussed. The paper also discusses the state of the industry's current efforts and concepts needed for hiring, training and motivating sufficient quantity and quality of technical staff in both operating and service companies. The role of the corporate CEO and top executive staff in this effort is highlighted. The current perceived gap that exists between top executive staff's stated strategic objectives and the actions taken through organizational filters which may inhibit accomplishing these objectives is discussed, as are recommendations for closing this gap.