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Praveen Ghanta with HiddenLevers, Ed Pimentel with MobileMonday Atlanta, Randall Toussaint with Cumming-Forsyth Chamber and Ruben Boling with UNG

ATLPraveen Ghanta / HiddenLevers Twitter

Praveen Ghanta is responsible for the HiddenLevers engine and product development. Praveen has a deep background in financial technology, having built credit derivatives trading and risk management systems at Deutsche Bank. Previously, he founded and led SmartWorkGroups, an online collaboration startup, until its acquisition by Intralinks (NYSE:IL) in July 2000. Praveen has also served as a co-Director of the Founder Institute Atlanta chapter, and is the author of a SeekingAlpha-certified blog called TrueCost, which looks at economics and government policy through the lens of cost-benefit analysis. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Bachelor’s degrees in computer science and economics, and a Master’s degree in computer science.

Ed Pimentel / MobileMonday Atlanta Linkedin Twitter

Randall Toussaint / Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Randall Toussaint is the Vice President of Economic Development at The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity he leads an economic development program that works to recruit new companies to his community, while helping local businesses to grow and expand. Prior to moving to Forsyth County Randall worked in the field of economic development in such communities as Clayton County, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia. Randall holds a bachelors degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; a Masters in Public Administration from Savannah State University; a certificate in Spanish Studies from La Universidad de Benito Juarez in Oaxaca, Mexico; a certificate in Economic Development Leadership from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development; and a certificates in Strategic Planning and Business Marketing & Attraction from the International Economic Development Council.

Ruben Boling / University of North Georgia

 

 

Stephen Culp and Jen Martin with Rockfish, and Sarah Tourville with GATN

ATL

Stephen Culp and Jen Martin / Rockfish Linkedin Twitter  Facebook

Stephen Culp is Vice President of Business Innovations for Rockfish, a digital innovation partner that drives business for some of the world’s largest brands. He has spent 20 years in the digital space, working in agencies, in consulting and software development. For more information, visit rockfishdigital.com.

Jen Martin is the Associate Director of Business Innovations for Rockfish, a digital innovation partner. In addition, upon moving to Atlanta she opened up a Girl Develop It chapter, and acts as chapter lead working to promote and encourage digital literacy among all women and making learning software development affordable and accessible.

Sarah Tourville / GATN Linkedin Twitter

Sarah is a technology marketing communications professional and business leader with extensive experience at launching and growing technology brands across Europe, Middle East and North America. Sarah began her in career in technology marketing at WORDSPAN (now Travelport) where she supported the launch of Microsoft Expedia, the first online travel booking site. She then moved to Motorola Inc. at their London HQ, managing corporate communications across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

She is the founder and CEO of Media Frenzy Global, an award winning tech marketing agency and since 2006 has led the company’s developments across Europe, Middle East and North America providing Messaging, Branding, PR and AR services to Fortune 1000 companies including Motorola Solutions, Nokia (Symbian OS), Convergys, Ingenico and to smaller disruptive tech players including Autotask, iMobile3, LNL Systems, Photoweb, Stratix, Twocanoes. Sarah is also one of the founding board members of the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network, a network aimed at engaging and strengthening the Greater Alpharetta technology community through thought leadership, educational, and networking events.

Sarah has a proven track record of growing technology brands by leveraging her network of tech media and analysts and by implementing core tech marketing disciplines with a go getting attitude. Sarah is well versed in mobile platforms, applications and devices, network infrastructure solutions, e-commerce and m-commerce, mobile payments, beacons and wearable technology. She is a personable and tenacious individual with excellent communication skills and a result’s driven approach to business.

 

 

Andrew Ryan with MemberSuite, Tarby Bryant with The Gathering of Angels and Jason Michaud with MacStadium

ATL

Andrew Ryan / MemberSuite Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Andrew Ryan serves as the CEO and Chief Geek at MemberSuite, an Atlanta-based association management software provider. With a background in software development and cloud computing, 
experience in the association and no-profit marketplace, and a passion for entrepreneurship, Andrew was driven to create a product and a business model that reflected the growing needs 
of associations.

Before founding MemberSuite, Andrew polished his leadership and technology skills with companies such as Bloomberg and Northrup Grumman. As his role transitioned from developer to CEO, 
Andrew understood the necessity of an outstanding product to accompany a hardworking team.

Andrew wrote his first line of code at the age of six and a half, graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and can still be 
found writing code.

Tarby Bryant / The Gathering of Angels

Jason Michaud / MacStadium Linkedin Twitter Facebook youtube

 

 

 

 

Special Edition: Georgia CIO Leadership Association

ATL

John Trainor / Aaron’s, Inc. Linkedin Twitter Facebook

John Trainor is Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Aaron’s, Inc., an Atlanta-based specialty retailer that leases furniture, electronics, and appliances. Since 1999, he has helped Aaron’s grow from 450 to over 2100 stores with almost $3B in revenue. Prior to joining Aaron’s, he worked in technology roles at the Southern Company and the United States Senate. He has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

John serves as the founding Chairman of the Mobility Society Board and on the Board of Directors for the Technology Associate of Georgia and is the Membership Chairman for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. He volunteers and raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Georgia.

John lives in Roswell, GA with his wife, Heather, and 3 sons, Jack, William, and Phillip. When not working, he shuttles his sons back and forth from football and wrestling practice and tries to squeeze in some swimming, biking, and running (and, sometimes all at the same time).

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.