Jim Metzler
Network World Contributing Editor; President
Ashton Metzler & Associates
Jim Metzler is widely recognized as an authority on both network technology and its business applications. In over 30 years of professional experience, Jim has worked in virtually every aspect of the networking industry. This includes creating software tools to design customer networks for a major IXC; being an Engineering Manager for high speed data services for a major Telco; being a Product Manager for network hardware; managing networks at two Fortune 500 companies; directing and performing market research at a major industry analyst firm; and running a consulting organization.
Jim’s current interests include application delivery, cloud networking and software defined networks.
Don Clark
Director of Business Development and Strategy
NEC
Don Clark is Director of Business Development and Strategy for NEC. He manages the ProgrammableFlow SDN Portfolio of products in North America for NEC, including responsibility for partner relations and strategic accounts. He has been a leading voice in the area of Software Defined Networking since 2009, representing NEC with the Open Network Foundation (ONF).
Ryan Swenson
Chief Architect for Cloud, Big Data and Security
Mercury Z
Ryan Swenson works with Mercury Z, a global technology solution provider and NEC partner. With responsibilities as the Chief Architect for Cloud, Big Data and Security, Ryan specializes in the integration of a wide variety of technologies ranging from portals, cloud, SaaS, big data, storage, security, SDN, and automation frameworks for enterprise and service provider clients. Certified in CISSP, ISSAP, SCJP, and CSP, he has worked with companies like SAS, Lowe's, Butler International, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and IBM.
Eric Hanselman
Chief Analyst
451 Research
Bio Coming Soon.
Bryan Stiekes
Chief Technologist, SDN & Cloud
Hewlett-Packard
Bryan Stiekes is an HP distinguished technologist and currently serves as the chief technologist for Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Cloud Networking in the Advanced Technology Group at HP Networking. His responsibilities include defining and driving the vision and strategy for HP Networking products and SDN solutions within the Cloud and Enterprise.
He was previously a distinguished technologist in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer for HP Enterprise Services, where he provided strategic technical leadership spanning the areas of enterprise and cloud networking and orchestration while also leading a Portfolio Research and Development team focused on identifying new technologies and developing them into new and emergent enterprise services.
Jason Matlof
VP of Marketing
Big Switch Networks
Jason started his career at Cisco in the mid-1990s, where he managed Cisco’s product management team for the company’s multi-billion dollar family of fixed-configuration Catalyst switches. Later, he was appointed VP of Marketing and Business Development at Neoteris, an early-stage network security start-up, where he developed the company’s product strategy and established market leadership within the emerging SSL VPN product category. After Neoteris was acquired, Jason served briefly as VP of Marketing for Remote Access Products at Netscreen and Juniper Networks. He was an early stage investor and Partner at Battery Ventures where he helped build eight early stage start-ups. Jason has a BA with honors from UCLA and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Rafael Francis
Senior Director
Cyan, Inc.
Rafael Francis has over 15 years of experience in telecommunications and is currently the Sr. Director of Service Provider Solutions for Cyan. In this role he is responsible for providing guidance into Cyan solutions development. His knowledge and contributions in next-generation networking have been demonstrated through numerous conference speaking engagements and trade articles. Rafael is a MEF Carrier Ethernet Certified Professional. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.
Craig Elliott
Co-Founder and CEO
Pertino
Craig has been involved in networking and communications for 20+years. Previously, Craig was the founding CEO of Packeteer and grew the company from 3 people a $2B+ market valuation before he retired. Prior to Packeteer, Craig served as International General Manager of Apple Computer, Inc.'s Online Internet Division, where he managed Apple's Internet and online business in more than 80 countries. Before that he was Apple's Product Business Manager in charge of Networking and Communication Products. He holds a BS from Iowa State University in Animal Science and Microbiology.
Dr. Casimer DeCusatis
Engineer
IBM
Dr. Casimer DeCusatis is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and technical executive based in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He currently serves as Chief Technology Officer for IBM Systems Networking Strategic Alliances, and has played a leading role in developing data center network and I/O solutions, including extended distance connectivity. He is an IBM Master Inventor with over 100 patents, and recipient of several industry awards, including the IEEE Kiyo Tomiyasu Award, the Sigma Xi Walston Chubb Award for Innovation, the EDN Innovator of the Year Award, the Mensa Research Foundation Copper Black Award for Creative Achievement, the Penn State Outstanding Scholar Alumnus Award, and the IEEE/HKN Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer award (including a citation from the President of the United States and an American flag flown in his honor over the U.S. Capitol). He is co-author of more than 120 technical papers, book chapters, and encyclopedia articles, and editor of the Handbook of Fiber Optic Data Communication (now in its 4rd edition). He is a member of the IBM Academy of Technology and co-leader of the Academy study “Innovation Ecosystems”. Dr. DeCusatis received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.) in 1988 and 1990, respectively, and the B.S. degree magna cum laude in the Engineering Science Honors Program from the Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA) in 1986.
