CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Jeff Frey
CTO for System z, IBM

Jeff Frey, an IBM Fellow, is the CTO for System z. One of the founding architects of System z Parallel Sysplex, he has also worked on autonomic systems management, dynamic resource provisioning, and goal-oriented resource management technologies that enable popular initiatives such as cloud computing. Currently, Jeff is responsible for the ongoing architecture and design of IBM's next-generation mainframe.

 

 

 

Mark Schakleford
Vice President of information Services, Baldor Electric Company

Mark has over 30 years of experience in the Industry starting a career in the early 80’s with Assembly Language programming.

Mark has held many different jobs including Applications Programmer, VSE – Systems Programmer, z/VM Systems Programmer, DB2 DBA, Systems and Operations Manager and now is currently the top Information Services employee at Baldor and manages the Discrete Automation Division for ABB North America.

Mark’s architectural vision lead to the implementation of a total System Z solution for their SAP implementation utilizing DB2 for z/OS and SAP z-Linux application servers.

 

Tom Befi
VP, Head of Enterprise Infrastructure Verisk Analytics, ISO

Tom Befi is Vice President and Head of Enterprise Infrastructure CIO at Verisk Analytics. Responsibilities entail the design, implementation and delivery of Verisk IT infrastructure elements including voice and data networking, Data Centers with operational controls (e.g. disaster recovery, monitoring and automation), desktop and server computing environments, web services, tactical security implementations and administration, and the hosting of commodity end-user tools, such as e-mail and calendaring. Mr. Befi has worked at ISO/Verisk Analytics for more than twenty years holding positions of increasing responsibility. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

 

Gus Garcia
Mgr. of Technolgy & Engineering Support, ISO

Gustavo is responsible for tactical engineering, implementation and support of z/Series architecture at ISO (z/OS, z/VM and Linux/z) operating platforms. In addition he has operational oversight of a distributed environment that includes Solaris on SUN SPARC and Red Hat on Intel (hosted on VMware). Gustavo has a proven track record of providing customers with a reliable and secure computing environment. He has a passion and has worked hard to coach and build high performing teams that inspire excellence. Mr. Garcia has served in many roles across disciplines in technology engineering throughout his 30 year career. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Rutgers University - School of Business, New Brunswick, NJ.

 

Bill Thirsk
Vice President and CIO, Marist College

In June 2007 William Thirsk was appointed Vice President and Chief Information Officer. As Vice President, he oversees all areas of information technology and other enterprise support units including the post office, digital publications, and the computer store. His experience in higher education technology management is broad-based covering such areas as technology planning, network management, telecommunications, web services, and instructional technology. Bill has over 25 years of experience in higher education technology management and is a nationally recognized expert in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and major technology implementations. Over the span of his career, he has accomplished seven successful ERP implementations and consulted for numerous others. Each implementation included major replacements or rebuilds of campus systems, networks, and infrastructures.

Bill currently serves on the Executive Committee of the NYSERNet Board, the not-for-profit, New York State Internet, education, research, and technology service organization. In addition, he serves on both, the NYSERNet.Org and the NYSERNet.Net Boards. He is also Chair of the Board of Directors of the SunGard Community Source Initiative (CSI). Membership represents 1,700 colleges and universities worldwide. CSI was created to enhance the enterprise processing environment across higher education institutions and to generate new markets and opportunities for corporations and entrepreneurs who want to participate in the enhancement of the higher education product suites. Furthermore, Bill is part of the Pillar Group, a SunGard-sponsored technology think tank made up of leading-edge institutions in a position to help shape the ERP market. Bill received a BBA in Business Administration from George Washington University and an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. He is also a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps.