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Special Edition: Women In Technology

 

ATL

 

This special edition of Atlanta Technology Leaders focuses on The Women In Technology Foundation (WIT).

Vicki Wright Hamilton, Business Technology Consultant & Founder, The Wright Answer and WIT Vice President of the WIT Foundation Board of Directors

www.linkedin.com/in/vhamilton

With over 20 years of technology experience (15 years at executive and senior level), Vicki is currently utilizing her vast skillset and resources to work as a consultant with smaller businesses in a CTO and COO capacities- assisting them with technology roadmaps, strategy, operational challenges across their organization – as well as guiding them on resource management and capability alignment. Prior to venturing out on her own in this consulting capacity, Vicki served as Senior Vice President at Turner Broadcasting Systems where her role in Turner's Technology, Strategy and Operations Group provided leadership and business insights in the areas of technology, operational efficiencies and business prioritization.She is an active board member of several organizations including Global Leaders, Global EXEC Women, BEEP, – the National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program with Historically Black Colleges & Universities and the Board Director for Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation, where in addition to her board responsibilities she has provided leadership in many areas including: Executive Liasons to Girls Scouts of America, Executive Advisor for Career in Actions Program, Committee Member Nominating & Governance, and Liaison for Girls Get IT.

 Asia Rahman, 2014 WIT on Campus Scholarship Recipient and Former EdgeSolutions Intern

www.linkedin.com/in/asiarahman

Asia Rahman was born in New York City and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She studied Computer Information Systems at Georgia State University graduating summa cum laude in 2014. While there, Asia spent many hours working in the Computer Forensics Lab researching and establishing the fundamental materials for testing the viability, accessibility, and scalability of multiple software additions to the CIS program at GSU. In addition, she designed and created the next generation of IT security modules and in-class workshops that will be integrated into the CIS department’s graduate and undergraduate programs. Prior to her work with the CIS department, Asia worked for Edge Solutions, as a client development specialist, where she gained valuable hands-on-experience and learned the inner workings of the Atlanta business community.

During her undergraduate career, Asia participated in a variety of student and volunteer organizations where she exhibited exemplary clinical acumen in a team environment and displayed her propensity to leadership. She has participated as a Board of Directors member of the Student Alumni Association. Asia has also served as a member of the Association of Information Systems student chapter and as a Student Ambassador for WIT On Campus initiatives. Furthermore, Asia has taught entry level computer technology courses to middle and high school students, from her alma mater, as a means to introduce them to various STEM fields.

Asia also received many awards during her educational career. While earning an A.A. in Marketing, Asia won first place for an advertising campaign in the Delta Epsilon Chi state and international competitions. At GSU, Asia was awarded the Bergeron Scholarship for Women in Technology and the GSU Merit Scholarship, among others. After spending a semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea, she hopes to pursue her interests in cyber security and IT project management.

Tracy Zucco, Director, Human Resources, IT and Program Manager of WIT on Campus

www.linkedin.com/pub/tracy-zucco-sphr/6/a79/484

Tracy Zucco joined the CHEP team as Director, Human Resources, IT, reporting to Jean Holley directly. Tracy is a member of the global IT leadership team. She will support the Information Technology strategy by developing, leading and enabling the IT people and change agenda, thereby playing a key role in influencing operational performance and delivery. Her responsibilities include advising on and supporting all aspects of HR to ensure IT people, processes and systems are working effectively.

Prior to joining Brambles, Tracy has led a distinguished career spanning more than 20 years with increasing responsibility as an HR professional, including organizational design and transformation, talent acquisition and retention, employee development, performance management and employee and labor relations. Most recently, she served as Director, Human Resource Business Partner, Global Information Technology for the Coca-Cola Company, supporting an IT organization of 2,000 employees in more than 15 countries.

In her Atlanta-based role, Tracy will serve as a consultant and advisor to the Chief Information Officer and the IT leadership team in implementing employee strategies. In addition, she will work closely with all levels of IT management by focusing on performance and talent management, employee engagement and the planning of Brambles Employee Survey follow-up actions. She will also ensure alignment to HR employee relations practices.

In addition to several HR certifications, Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology degree from the University of South Florida, and she is a 2014 candidate for the Master of Science, Human Resources Development degree at Villanova University, USA.

 

Stuart O’Day with Dental Post, Brett Conner with Isotrak, and Richard Lawrence Duhe with ComplyRX

ATL

Stuart O’Day / Dental Post Linkedin Facebook Twitter 

Stuart is currently the Lead Software Developer for DentalPost. In this role, he is actively developing new features for both Employers and Job Seekers.

Prior to DentalPost, he held a variety of Atlanta-area technology leadership positions including Senior Technical Director at AT&T, Chief Technology Officer at SparkIP, Software Architect at EzGov and Technical Team Lead at BellSouth.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MBA from the University of San Diego.

Brett Conner / Isotrak Linkedin Facebook Twitter Google+ 

Brett is a leading expert in the application and integration of wireless network technology into the automotive, commercial vehicle and Class 1 Railroad environments. He has been awarded the Warner Award, GTE Chairman’s Award, President’s Leadership Award, the Employee Quality Award, among others, to recognize his contributions in the development and implementation of a national virtual cellular network, addressing the needs of the telematics industry. Brett was inducted into Verizon Wireless’ Winner’s Circle in 2010 and 2011 and President’s Cup in 2012.

Brett has leveraged his 21 years of experience in product development and distribution at Chevrolet, Delco Electronics, GTE Wireless and OnStar in the creation of Verizon Wireless’ Transportation Practice, targeting the unique mobility requirements of its largest enterprise customers in the logistics, freight rail, commercial trucking, and airline segments.

Richard Lawrence Duhe / ComplyRX Linkedin

As the Founding Partner and CEO of ComplyRx, Rick leads partnership and business development activities. He has over twenty five years of group health and workers’ compensation disease management and wellness medical cost containment experience. Prior to ComplyRx, Rick was Co-Founder and President of MediCor, a multi-million dollar Managed Care Company. His entrepreneurial endeavors have been featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine and mentioned within The Wall Street Journal. From 2009-2012, Rick was Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, Rehabilitation and Managed Care Committee. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Counseling, and subsequently obtained the professional credentials of Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) and Certified Rehabilitation Consultant (CRC).

Mark Miller with All Covered, Courtney Staten with CyberScrub, Barry Hayut with XciteGO and Rob Spessard with Nexus

ATL

Mark Miller/All Covered Linkedin Twitter

Mark Miller is Sr. VP of Sales & Operations with Konica-Minolta / AllCovered. Mark is a multifaceted, resourceful technology professional with a distinguished career building world class technology environments and teams. He has experience in building teams from the ground up in start-ups to re-factoring well established teams in public companies. Mark is an energetic and resourceful leader with the ability to build consensus across all levels of the organization. He built his first software program at age 12 and has been part of both public and private companies. He loves the energy that comes with startups and is looking to constantly capture lightning in a bottle!

Courtney Staten/CyberScrub LLC Linkedin Facebook

Barry Hayut/XciteGO Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Rob Spessard/Nexus, A Dimension Data Company Linkedin Twitter Facebook

 

 

Special Edition: Women In Technology

ABR

This special edition of Atlanta Technology Leaders focuses on The Women In Technology Foundation (WIT) and their upcoming signature event: The 20th Annual  WIT Connect Presented by Dell. Featuring guest interviews with WIT Foundation’s Board President, Denise Reese and WIT Connect Co-Chairs, Jay Ferro and Lisa McVey.

WIT Connect presented by Dell brings together hundreds of Georgia’s leading technology executives and up-and-coming professionals for an entertaining evening of networking and competitive bidding at the Georgia Aquarium. Executives from Aaron’s, Cox Communications, NCR, Novelis, SunTrust, the Weather Company and many more have donated their time to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Proceeds from this unique executive auction benefit the WIT Foundation’s free career programs, Girls Get IT and WIT on Campus, aimed at encouraging middle, high school and college aged women to continue pursuing their interests in STEM education and careers. Since 2008, WIT Connect has raised more than $1.5 million to support WIT’s mission to serve as passionate advocates for advancing women in Georgia’s STEM industries.

Thursday, June 12th marks the 20th anniversary of WIT Connect led by Co-Chairs, Lisa McVey and Jay Ferro.

For more information on WIT Connect, visit www.mywit.org.

Denise Reese / WIT Foundation Board President Linkedin  

Denise Reese is Director, Business Development with Endava US LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endava UK Limited, a leading IT Services and Consulting firm with operations in London, Germany The US and Central Eastern Europe. In her role, Denise leads all Business Development activities for Endava in the Atlanta market.

Denise has spent more than a decade in Sales and Strategic Alliances for several major IT Services and Software organizations and has held positions both in The United States and Europe. Her experience spans multiple disciplines including Identity and Access Management, IT Security and Regulatory Compliance Management.

Denise has built a brand rooted in developing trusted advisor relationships with her clients. This, coupled with a keen ability to build repeatable and sustainable revenue generating opportunities, has afforded Denise with the opportunity to achieve significant milestones for the firms she’s worked with. During her tenure with Wipro Technologies, a leading IT Services, Consulting and Business Process Outsourcing Organization headquartered in Bangalore, India, she secured Wipro’s 1st and largest Hospitality Client in the US and was a multi -million dollar contributor to the RCTG (Retail, CPG, Transportation and Government) Business Unit.

Denise holds an MBA in Strategic Management from The Henley Business School in The United Kingdom. Her dissertation research focused on the importance of businesses adapting a sound IT Security and Risk policy. During her MBA Program, she completed her International Business Experience in Hong Kong. This allowed her the opportunity to analyze and provide strategic direction to Asia-Pacific companies in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Retail, and Public Sector.

Denise is passionate about serving in the community and embodies the qualities of a true Servant Leader. She served as Board Chair of the University Community Academy Board of Directors from 2009-2012. She is currently President of The Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation Board, the philanthropic arm of Women In Technology, Inc. Additionally, she serves as Executive Advisor to WIT’s “WIT on Campus “ Program and is also responsible for developing Strategic Relationships for The WIT Foundation. Denise also had the honor of being a contributing author to WIT’s leadership book CLIMB: Leading Women in Technology Share Their Journey’s to Success. Denise also serves on the Board of Directors for Cool Girls, Inc. where she has held positions as both Board Development and Resource Development Chair. She was also Event Chair for Cool Girls’ signature fundraiser, Hot Pink Party 2013. She had the privilege of being a 2012 Girls, Inc. “Strong Smart and Bold” Award Nominee and was recently bestowed the honor of serving on the Judges Panel for Distinguished Young Women’s (formerly Junior Miss) 2013 National Finals. Denise was a Founding Board Member and Director of Development for the Greater Atlanta Professional Chapter of Women MBA’s International, formerly known as NAWMBA – National Association of Women MBA’s. Recently, Denise was inducted into the Financial Times/European Business School’s Women on Board Initiative, “Global Board Ready Women.” This groundbreaking program is a global database of 8000 high achieving women in business and supports greater gender diversity on publicly quoted company boards in Europe. Denise is also a member of the National MS Society of Georgia’s MS Leadership 2014 Class.

Jay Ferro / WIT Connect Co-Chair Linkedin

Jay Ferro, CIO for the American Cancer Society, is responsible for the people, strategy and operations of the global information technology of the organization. Ferro joined the Society’s executive staff in 2012, bringing a deep personal connection to the fight against cancer. In 2007, he founded the nonprofit group Priscilla’s Promise, in honor of his late wife, who died from cancer. Priscilla’s Promise raises funds for cervical cancer education and research; Ferro currently serves as the group’s executive director. Ferro was selected as Georgia CIO of the Year in 2011, and is currently serving as chair for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. His commitment and dedication to community involvement is evidenced by the time and energy he contributes. In addition to his work with Priscilla’s Promise, in 2011, he was elected to the board of directors for TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that helps other nonprofits use technology to improve their capability to serve the community.

 

Special Edition: Georgia CIO Leadership Association

ATL

Jay Ferro / American Cancer Society

Jay is currently Chief Information Officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS), a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has more than 900 local offices nationwide and a presence in more than 5,100 communities. Jay is responsible for the people, strategy and operations of the Global Information Technology organization.

Prior to joining ACS in 2012, Jay served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for AdCare Health Systems, a rapidly growing and recognized innovator in health care facility management. Jay spent the previous 7 years at AIG (American International Group), most recently as VP and CIO for AIG Aerospace, a leading global aerospace insurer. At AIG, Jay implemented numerous improvements that have delivered substantial value to the organization while managing significant organizational change in a turbulent market environment. In addition to his role as AVP of Information Technology with AIG Personal Lines, Jay was selected as CFO for Operations and Systems in 2006 and led multiple global IT Finance and Governance Standards initiatives that resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the organization.

Jay continues to be a thought leader in the Information Technology arena and is a frequent guest speaker and panelist, both in Atlanta and Nationwide. In recognition of his accomplishments, Jay was selected as Georgia CIO of the Year in 2011, and is currently serving as Chair for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association.

His commitment and dedication to community involvement is evidenced by the time and energy he contributes. In 2007, he founded the non-profit group, Priscilla’s Promise, in honor of his late wife, which raises funds for cervical cancer education and research, and currently serves as its Executive Director. In 2011 he was elected to the Board of Directors for TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization which helps other nonprofits use technology to improve their capability to serve the community, and in 2013 was named Board Chair.

Jay earned both his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and his Masters of Business Administration from The University of Georgia. Jay continues to be involved with his alma mater, both as a mentor for young alumni and as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors for the Terry College of Business.

Jay lives in the Metro Atlanta Area with his 3 sons: Trey, Connor and Alex.

Alan Stukalsky / Randstad Linkedin Twitter Facebook Google+

As CIO for Randstad US, the world’s second largest provider of HR solutions and staffing, Alan is responsible for all information technology strategy, planning and implementation in the US. His primary areas of focus include all customer and employee facing applications, PeopleSoft HR and Financials, Hyperion business intelligence, infrastructure, and various other third party applications.

Prior to rejoining Randstad in 2009, Alan served as CIO of Church’s Chicken, a $1 billion quick service restaurant chain. Within the first year of joining Church’s Chicken, Alan outsourced the company’s entire IT infrastructure to several outsourcing companies which resulted in a $1 million per year reduction in the IT department’s budget and improved customer satisfaction levels by 25%.

Prior to Church’s, Alan worked with PeopleSoft Consulting and Delta Air Lines.

Alan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Emory University. He is a member of the Georgia CIO Leadership Association, Omicron Advisory Board, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), TechBridge, and Georgia State University’s Mentors for the Masters Program.

Born in Argentina and raised in Miami, Alan enjoys playing soccer, football and spending time with his family. Alan and his wife, Shana, have two children, Nessa and Ian.