Topic: Data Center IT Efficiency: We know it’s important, but what are the actual driving factors for maximizing data center efficiency without compromising its reliability.

Date:  Tuesday, Sept. 14, Networking 5:15 pm – Program – 6:00pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Holiday Inn Crossroads, at 2000 Staples Mill Road, Richmond VA

Panel:

• John Boggs, Regional Sales Manager for Emerson Network Power / Liebert’s East Region.
• Timothy A. Lilly, Director, IT Enterprise Operations for Dominion Resources Services
• Thomas Scott , Facility Operations Director at Capital One Richmond data center
• Zenon Piotrowski , Tivoli Automation Sales Leader for the Eastern United States
• Tim Huffman , Director of Enterprise Solutions for Quality Technical Services

While there has been a significant increase in energy consumption in IT and data center environments, these increases are considerably overshadowed by dramatic gains in data center output and efficiencies over the last five years.  While there is no universally accepted metric for server and data center output, there is significant industry information available on the increase in the “performance” of servers and chips over the past several years.  Analysis shows that while energy consumption in data centers nearly doubled in the last five years, data center output increased fourteen-fold, and data center efficiency increased eight-fold over the same period.  As IT and data center managers, how do we identify, justify and prioritize data center efficiency improvement projects?  Which strategies yield the most bang for the buck?  Are you concerned with your power, cooling and space constraints within your data center?  Employing a cohesive, holistic approach for reducing data center energy use is a must!

We have assembled industry leaders in data center infrastructure solutions. Please join us as they share their perspective on data center efficiency improvement projects, practical experiences that you can leverage and their vision of what future innovations are on the horizon.

Speaker Information

John Boggs

John Boggs began working with Emerson Network Power / Liebert in 1998.  He is currently the Regional Sales Manager for Liebert’s East Region.  Prior to his current position, he has served in various sales and engineering roles, most recently as an Application Engineer for Liebert environmental products, providing technical support to Liebert’s Northeast Region and Environmental OEM accounts.  John has been involved in the cooling design and implementation of high density data centers throughout the country, with a recent focus on energy efficiency.

Timothy A. Lilly

Tim Lilly is currently the Director, IT Enterprise Operations for Dominion Resources Services.  With 25 years of experience at Dominion, he has managed groups within Information Technology, Field Operations, and Finance.  His current role oversees all enterprise level infrastructures for the Dominion system including Data Center Operations, Wide Area Network design and support, IT Engineering and Project Management, Mainframe and SAP Basis Operations, and IT Risk Operations.

Thomas Scott

Tom Scott has been with Capital One, originally Signet Bank, since 1993.  During his tenure he has had many responsibilities ranging from operations to process management, including the high level design of critical electrical systems.  Project locations include multiple sites in the U.S. as well as the UK.  Tom is currently the Facility Operations Director at the Richmond data center and also provides technical support for Capital One’s Plano data center and other critical locations.

Zenon Piotrowski

For the past thirty years, Mr. Zenon S. Piotrowski developed and implemented successful business development initiatives for companies such as IBM, Lexmark, Concentrex, and technology startups by leveraging IT.  Zen has extensive experience across several industries, specifically in the Financial Services Sector, Healthcare Sector, Industrial Sector, Communications Sector, and the Public Sector; in various technical, staff, and senior executive management positions.

Zen is currently Tivoli Automation Sales Leader for the Eastern United States, and a member of IBM’s World Wide Service Management Tivoli Tiger Team.   Zen has provided guidance to hundreds of IBM clients that enabled them to select, implement, and deploy Service Management solutions that generated predictable business outcomes.

Tim Huffman

Tim Huffman is the Director of Enterprise Solutions for QTS. Tim has a decade of experience in the data center services arena. His focus is crafting large space and power solutions for enterprise customers as well as managed service offerings and migration services that facilitate the environment, devices and physical move. QTS operates 12 data centers across the US including the recently acquired Qimonda plant in Sandston, VA.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

The Association of Information Technology Professionals ( www.aitp.org ) was founded in 1951 to provide learning and growth opportunities to data processing managers and staff through networking, chapter activities, conferences, seminars, special interest groups, and several other benefits. Today, AITP offers industry leadership and opportunities for professional development and personal growth to its 7,000 professional and student members in 140 professional and 250 student chapters.

The Richmond Chapter ( www.aitprich.org ) provides the local presence and meeting forum to deliver the most tangible benefits associated with AITP. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except December).

Seats are limited, so register now, and you won’t forget later.

You may also join the AITP LinkedIn group to keep informed about programs and other networking opportunities.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

The Association of Information Technology Professionals ( www.aitp.org ) was founded in 1951 to provide learning and growth opportunities to data processing managers and staff through networking, chapter activities, conferences, seminars, special interest groups, and several other benefits. Today, AITP offers industry leadership and opportunities for professional development and personal growth to its 7,000 professional and student members in 140 professional and 250 student chapters.

The Richmond Chapter ( www.aitprich.org ) provides the local presence and meeting forum to deliver the most tangible benefits associated with AITP. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except December).

Register today at www.richmondsharepoint.org. Looking forward to seeing you.
By Bonnie Surma, Building Community Among SharePoint Enthusiasts

Richmond SUG Meets Thursday, May 27, at SnagAJob.com in Innsbrook

1. I just removed 270 bad emails by clicking one button. That takes us from over 900 to a little less than 700. Impressive size, but we still have the problem that only about 200 of them are opened. CC has a very cool graph page that shows all kinds of statistics on what happens to our emails once they’re sent.
2. Our database now resides on the CC servers, and I’ve added a box on the right hand side of the web site to facilitate joining our email list.
3. I have changed the Register link on the web site to point to the CC invitation, instead of going to the old registration process on our web site. We can now see who’s registered, whether they’ve paid, and how they paid, in one place.
4. I added a link for the SAS User Group.

Of course, I’m partial to the CC process, since I pushed us to go that direction, and the more I use it, the more I like it. I think I’m pretty much done with it, and I hope everyone else agrees that it was a good move.

The total cost is $45/month, but once I get the email list down below 500, we’ll save $15/month. There’s no point in having 700 emails sitting around if only 200 are ever opened. CC has a tool for asking people to “opt in” to our email list. Once I implement that though, we may lose some of the 200 that do open their emails. But, that’s the only way I see to get the list pared down to those who really want the emails.

Date:  Tuesday, June 8, Networking 5:15 pm – Program – 6:00pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Sheraton Richmond West, at 6624 West Broad Street

Panel:

• David Ingram (Moderator) – President and CEO of Capital TechSearch,
• David Nelms – Owner and Principal Consultant for Convergent Business Solutions LLC.
• Chris Burroughs – Vice President of IT Infrastructure Services at Mondial Assistance, a global provider of travel insurance, emergency assistance, and concierge services.
• Sally Witzky – Owner and Chief Marketing Strategist of Traction Group LLC, a newly-formed agency helping small business owners and speakers achieve success utilizing social marketing.

We have all heard the term “Networking” before.  Our panel will discuss networking from 3 different perspectives:

1)       Why should you consider networking?
2)       What tools and techniques are available to make it easier?
3)       What is the value of networking?

People have always said that you need to Network to get ahead.  This is easier said than done for many. Networking can be extremely hard to do if you don’t know how to do it. Join the members and guests of AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) where we will provide education and actionable information that will enable attendees to see the value of Networking. Our panel of experts will provide an overview of the technology available, tips and techniques as well as share some Networking experiences and philosophies.

Panelist Information

David Ingram (Moderator) – is the President and CEO of Capital TechSearch, an IT staffing and executive search firm, that has been named by Inc magazine as one of the 5000 fastest growing companies in America the past two years in a row.  David has served as a guest lecturer for postgraduate classes at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, and the East Carolina University School of Business.  David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Council of CEOs, a nonprofit dedicated to executive education and the sharing of information amongst peers.  His first book “15 Bedtime Stories That Keep Entrepreneurs Awake at Night” was released in the fall of 2009

David Nelms – has held numerous senior leadership roles at both large and small organizations within a variety of industries.  He is currently Owner and Principal Consultant for Convergent Business Solutions LLC.  His company’s focus is on providing strategic consulting and technology management services for mid-sized growth organizations.  Immediately prior to his current role, he was SVP/CIO for First Market Bank.   Before joining First Market, he was directly responsible for development and support of all systems and technology directly supporting Circuit City’s in store retail operations at over 600 locations nationwide.
Chris Burroughs – has been an IT industry leader for over 25 years with senior leadership experience at a Fortune 500 retailer, one of the top 100 law firms, and a global insurance company.  She is currently Vice President of IT Infrastructure Services at Mondial Assistance, a global provider of travel insurance, emergency assistance, and concierge services.  In that role, she is responsible for ecommerce, sourcing, telecom, and other infrastructure platforms, focused on strategy and execution.
One of her key projects was selected as the recipient of the 2009 CIO 100 award and it was also a finalist for the GRTC Innovation Award in 2009.

She is an adjunct instructor in VCU’s Fast Track Master’s of Information Systems program and she is a former board member of Chattering Children.  She received her Bachelors in Information Systems from University of Richmond, Summa Cum Laude.

Sally Witzky – Owner and Chief Marketing Strategist of Traction Group LLC, a newly-formed agency helping small business owners and speakers achieve success utilizing social marketing. For nearly 20 years, she has been on the agency side working for The Martin Agency and Gain Response Marketing and has served national clients such as Citizens Bank/RBS, Saab, Snagajob.com, FMC, Network Solutions and Mercedes-Benz. Today, Ms. Witzky helps small business owners get traction and build their online brands.  Sally acts as the small business owner’s personal marketing director, their strategic online brand coach, social networker, writer and blogger. She is known to be an inspirer, maximizer, visionary thinker and brand champion.

Seats are limited, so register now, and you won’t forget later.

You may also join the AITP LinkedIn group to keep informed about programs and other networking opportunities.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

The Association of Information Technology Professionals ( www.aitp.org ) was founded in 1951 to provide learning and growth opportunities to data processing managers and staff through networking, chapter activities, conferences, seminars, special interest groups, and several other benefits. Today, AITP offers industry leadership and opportunities for professional development and personal growth to its 7,000 professional and student members in 140 professional and 250 student chapters.

The Richmond Chapter ( www.aitprich.org ) provides the local presence and meeting forum to deliver the most tangible benefits associated with AITP. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except December).

This event highlights how companies can instill an innovation culture in their own companies and how we can further innovation within the Richmond metropolitan community.  Speakers include Mark Brady, CEO of Alchemy; Mary Doswell, Senior VP of Alternative Energy Solutions, Dominion Resources; Eric Edwards, Chief Science Officer of Intelliject; Tom Grant, Principal at Troutman Sanders; and John Perkins, VP of Health and Beauty, MWV.  Along with engaging presentations, the “Celebration” aims to spur networking among attendees though interactive breakout sessions.

The cost for this inaugural event is $95 per person, which includes all meals and a post meeting networking reception at LeMaire in the Jefferson Hotel.  Paid parking is available in the Jefferson Street Parking Deck at the corner of Cary Street and Jefferson Street, across from Snead Hall.

For more information about the agenda and to register, go to: http://www.richmondinnovationcelebration.myevent.com/

Date:  Tuesday, May 11, Networking 5:15 pm – Program – 6:00pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Sheraton Richmond West, at 6624 West Broad Street

Panel:

• Bruce Doub consults to JumpStart Wireless as its Vice President of Sales.
• Dror Liwer is an expert in the technology industry and the digital marketplace
• Patrick Miller is the Infrastructure and Security Practice Manager for SyCom Technologies
• Scott Davis is the Manager of Software Development at Cavalier Telephone and the CEO and Founder of Critical Technologies Group, LLC, a local software design and consulting firm

We are witnessing a technology transformation in Mobile Computing that is similar to prior technology transformations; however, there seem to be some very unique differences. It’s ramping significantly faster than prior technology cycles (pc’s, internet on PC’s). It is bigger. It is global.  The US is leading the charge (Apple, Google, Amazon, etc.). Five key trends are converging – 3G, Social Networking, Video, VOIP, and powerful mobile devices and changing how we communicate with each other and how developers, advertisers and vendors can reach consumers.  Just like the early days of the internet, consumers and applications written for them are driving adoption and change.  What about our businesses?  They certainly can see opportunities to improve business processes and add value to current and potential customers thereby improving profits and market share. What innovation can we expect from our local businesses?  What is involved in developing mobile applications?  Exactly what are Mobile applications?

We have assembled local leaders in the mobile computing arena. Please join us as they share their perspective of the current state of industry, practical experiences that you can leverage, barriers to innovation and their vision of what tomorrow may bring.

Speaker Information

Bruce Doub consults to JumpStart Wireless as its Vice President of Sales. Bruce is responsible for sales and business development efforts within the federal government and Fortune 1000. Bruce leverages his fifteen years working with customers in the wireless and telecom arena to identify work flow management improvements made possible by evolving and transformational mobile technologies. As corporate applications are extended to handheld devices, remote workers are provided with real-time, always on computing and data processing capabilities restructuring the flow of business information. Bruce is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and resides in Richmond.

Joel Erb‘s business career started at the age of 14 with a corded-phone, sales script and a trial version of the first Flash software. It was 1998, and the Web design business was still in its infancy. He used the software to create Web site designs that he pitched and presented to executives at Calvin Klein, Armani, and Hugo Boss. This was the beginning of INM United, an interactive agency that focuses on identifying ways that social trends, technology and business opportunities intersect. Over the past 12 years, the firm has delivered results for more than 300 companies including BF Goodrich, Tom Brady, Air New Zealand, Mondial Assistance, Marquis Jet, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Comfort Zone Camp and Garren New York.

In 2009, Joel formed Spot Trot with three entertainment industry veterans. Spot Trot is a mobile entertainment company that directly connects artists and fans in an engaging environment. Spot Trot is proud to work with many leading entertainers. These include the number-one touring act of the past decade, Dave Matthews Band; country superstar, Tim McGraw; and alternative rockers, O.A.R. Spot Trot has set the standard with the first monetizable mobile platform for the entertainment industry. Spot Trot is proud to have strategic relationships with Red Light Management, Apple, Live Nation Entertainment and Front Line Management.

Joel has been recognized as a Rising Technology star by the Greater Richmond Technology Council, Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the SBA and Virginia’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2009, he was featured in Upstarts!, a book featuring young entrepreneurs around the country by Donna Fenn, writer for Inc. Magazine. Joel Erb received a degree in Marketing & Business Administration from the University of Richmond.

Dror Liwer is an expert in the technology industry and the digital marketplace. After early experience developing mainframe and client server solutions, he joined Context Integration as the company’s first CTO. This led to positions as Head of Technology for Digitas, VP/General Manager at Blast Radius and CMO for IXI Mobile,  a publicly traded company that delivers an end to end solution similar to the Blackberry, aimed at the mass market.

Dror has worked with an impressive array of clients including PROCTER AND GAMBLE, AOL, AMERICAN EXPRESS, LIZ CLAIBORNE and GOLDMAN SACHS. He currently heads Zemoga’s Client Strategy team, working with our clients to find innovative applications of their brands and assets in the digital space.

Patrick Miller is the Infrastructure and Security Practice Manager for SyCom Technologies. He has more than 20 years experience in the technology industry and has designed, implemented, and supported a wide variety of large-scale contact center applications and Unified Communications systems for over 10 years.

Prior to coming to SyCom, Patrick was the Director of Technical Architecture for AllianceOne, a receivables management company based out of Philadelphia.  At AllianceOne, he designed and built an enterprise data center and numerous contact centers using Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise throughout North America and the Caribbean. Before that, he served as the Technical Services Manager for First North American National Bank, Circuit City Stores credit card subsidiary.

Patrick maintains numerous Cisco and Microsoft certifications. These include the Cisco Qualified Specialist roles of Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist, Cisco Unity Support Specialist, Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist, and Cisco Unity Design Specialist. He is currently pursuing a CCIE – Voice.

Scott Davis is the Manager of Software Development at Cavalier Telephone and the CEO and Founder of Critical Technologies Group, LLC, a local software design and consulting firm. With 15 years of experience in software development within the Defense, Financial and Telecommunications industries, Scott’s current goal is to create affordable mobile solutions that continue to push the boundaries of technology and social media. He has been an early adopter of new technologies including mobile development, IPTV and the advanced video compression standards H.264. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Scott currently resides in the Richmond, Virginia area.

Seats are limited, so register now, and you won’t forget later.

You may also join the AITP LinkedIn group to keep informed about programs and other networking opportunities.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

The Association of Information Technology Professionals ( www.aitp.org ) was founded in 1951 to provide learning and growth opportunities to data processing managers and staff through networking, chapter activities, conferences, seminars, special interest groups, and several other benefits. Today, AITP offers industry leadership and opportunities for professional development and personal growth to its 7,000 professional and student members in 140 professional and 250 student chapters.

The Richmond Chapter ( www.aitprich.org ) provides the local presence and meeting forum to deliver the most tangible benefits associated with AITP. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except December).

Date:  Tuesday, Apr. 13, Networking 5:15 pm – Program – 6:00pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Sheraton Richmond West, at 6624 West Broad Street

Panel:

• Frank Butler, President, Proxios
• Harry Garmon, CEO, The Bookkeeping Department
• Rich Jacobs, Sales Engineering Manager, Verizon Business
• Scott Zimmerman, Solutions Architect, Microsoft

Today’s technology choices available to business owners of all levels have reduced complexities and financial investments while increasing speed to market and scalable, just-in-time solutions. SaaS, PaaS and IaaS continue to increase their market footprint.   Software as a Service has long been the face of cloud computing, but Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service are poised to provide businesses with computing power on demand. Join the members and guests of the AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) for a discussion of these technologies and how local companies are benefiting from them.  The program will compare and contrast the two approaches and we will hear about pro, cons and lessons learned from company’s experience with a these solutions.

Seats are limited, so register now, and you won’t forget later.

You may also join the AITP LinkedIn group to keep informed about programs and other networking opportunities.

Panelist Information

Frank Butler – founded Proxios in 1999 to deliver cloud-based business technologies the same way utility companies deliver electricity or water.  For over 10 years Proxios has been delivering virtual Windows desktops and associated Windows-based applications along with email, desktop faxing and integrated VoIP telephony to businesses in many different industries, including distribution, financial services, construction and manufacturing.  Prior to forming Proxios Mr. Butler was the founder and President of Information Technologies, an IT consulting company which quickly grew and was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies.  Mr. Butler received his undergraduate degree from University of Richmond, has a Masters from the University of New Hampshire and received a Certificate in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Harry Garmon is the CEO of The Bookkeeping Department, a local provider of outsourced bookkeeping services.  Harry is an experienced, successful entrepreneur who started a local software development company in 1976 after a career in data processing with Reynolds Metals and Baker Engineering.  Harry sold this business in 1991 and started PayTime, which grew to become Richmond’s largest locally owned payroll service company and was sold to a local entrepreneur in 2005.  Harry now devotes his time to sales and marketing for The Bookkeeping Department.

Rich Jacobs – TBD

Scott Zimmerman (MCSD, MCTS BizTalk Server, MCTS ADO.NET 3.5, MCTS WinForms 3.5) is a Solutions Architect with Microsoft concentrating on cloud computing, BizTalk, and .NET. He has written several books and articles, and won two awards for web service design. He is based in Virginia.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

The Association of Information Technology Professionals ( www.aitp.org ) was founded in 1951 to provide learning and growth opportunities to data processing managers and staff through networking, chapter activities, conferences, seminars, special interest groups, and several other benefits. Today, AITP offers industry leadership and opportunities for professional development and personal growth to its 7,000 professional and student members in 140 professional and 250 student chapters.

The Richmond Chapter ( www.aitprich.org ) provides the local presence and meeting forum to deliver the most tangible benefits associated with AITP. Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month (except December).