SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

SPEAKERS AT THE DISASTER RECOVERY / BUSINESS CONTINUITY –

RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Tyrone Clark, Director, Business Continuity Management, William Blair

 

Tye Clark is the Director Business Continuity Management (BCM) at William Blair. In this role, Tye oversees Global BCM policies, standards, and best practices to ensure the firm is able continue operations in the event of a disruption. Before joining William Blair in 2018, Tye was Global Director Business Continuity Management for CNA Insurance.

 

Prior to joining Intuit, Inc. in 2004, Tye spent 12 years in government and high technology industries which include Misys Healthcare Systems, Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Texas Instruments and Pima County government operations. He has held a variety of management positions in Information Technology, Client Services, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Operations.

 

Tye is a retired Naval Officer with 30+ years of naval service specializing in Avionics, Information Technology, Cryptology/Information Warfare and Curriculum Development.

 

Tye holds professional certifications as a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) and Associate Risk Management Professional (ARMP) with the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII)

 

His professional awards include CRAIN’S Chicago Business 2020 Notable Veteran Executives, Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) Awards of Excellence 2022: Program Leader of the Year – Private Sector

Nicos Digrindakis, Disaster Recovery Manager, University of Chicago

 

Specialties: IT Disaster Recovery
Business Continuity
CBCP Certified
Implementing ITIL
Futures Industry Association (FIA) Industry-Wide Disaster Recovery Test Steering Committee
ITIL 4 Foundations Certified in 2023

Benjamin Fuller, Field CTO, Nasuni

 

With dedication to empowering enterprises in adopting, architecting, and seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies, I have honed my expertise over two decades in the field. Throughout my career, I have been privileged to collaborate with a diverse array of clients, spanning industries and encompassing a myriad of infrastructure technologies and architectures.

 

With this extensive experience and an ability to distill complex technology, I take pride in assuming the role of a trusted guide for clients confronted with multifaceted technology and business challenges.

 

Presently, I am situated in the greater Cleveland, OH area, where I support our Americas Presales Engineering teams, lending my expertise and insights to fortify their endeavors. I strive to offer tailored solutions that resonate with each client’s unique needs and business challenges.

 

While my professional life is an embodiment of my love of technology, my personal time finds enrichment through spending time with my family. As a devoted parent, I relish the cherished moments spent with my children, witnessing their growth, and guiding them towards their own aspirations. I find fulfillment coaching my kids sports team, engaging in meaningful volunteer work that positively impacts and uplifts the communities we serve.

Scott Hetrick, Pre-Sales SE Manager, Quest Software

 

Scott Hetrick is the Pre-Sales SE Manager at Quest Software with over 20 years of experience helping customers solve their data protection challenges. Scott uses this experience to assist customers with designing and implementing data protection needs to solve problems both on-prem and in the Cloud.

 

Scott’s career has been marked by his contributions to Fortune 500 organizations, as well as state and local governments, where he has played a pivotal role in enhancing their backup strategies. His expertise in navigating complex challenges and delivering innovative solutions has solidified his reputation as a trusted advisor in the technology sector.

Dan Horwich, President & Executive Director, CAMP IT Conferences

 

In 2001, Dan Horwich earned the title of President and Executive Director of CAMP IT Conferences. Prior to joining CAMP IT, Dan held sales and sales management positions at U.S. Robotics, 3Com, Mercantec, Spring Tide Networks, and Lucent Technologies, winning several sales and professional development awards.

 

An active networker, focused on making a difference in the professional lives of IT practitioners, Dan has built a win-win climate for CAMP IT’s attendees, speakers, and sponsors. He’s a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BBA in Marketing and lives in Glenview, IL with his wife and two daughters.

Randy Lee, Senior Systems Engineer and AANG, Veeam Software

 

Randy Lee is a Senior Systems Engineer for Veeam Software. Randy has led a variety of technology initiatives that have modernized legacy data centers and significantly reduced operating budgets while assuring non-disrupted operations. Randy spent over seven years as a Senior Solutions Architect at Hewlett Packard Enterprise where he was a contributing member of the Worldwide Enterprise Storage Ambassadors program for over four years. Randy has managed technology teams in manufacturing, healthcare, and the financial services industries where he focused on aligning technical strategies with corporate business objectives.

 

Randy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/MIS with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Randy is a Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, an instructor with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and a Coach for the Air Force Association CyberPatriot Program.

Kirby McCord, Senior Manager Infrastructure Architecture, U.S. Cellular

 

Kirby McCord is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the field of Infrastructure Architecture. Currently, Kirby leads the Infrastructure Architecture practice at UScellular where he has led teams to deliver high-quality solutions for B/SS, Digital, and Analytical products across different architectures and technologies that meet the business’s availability and recoverability requirements.


Kirby holds an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management, an MS in Computational Engineering from Purdue University, and BS in Physics from Purdue University, along with several technical certifications.

 

Val Mushinskiy, Principal and Vice President of Cloud Services, ZS

 

Val Defines and leads the execution of cloud strategy for ZS. He leads Cloud Center of Excellence team that manages infrastructure and operations for enterprise and client solutions.

 

Val built and now manages Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) team. CCoE leverages DevSecOps principles and thoughtful solution architecture approaches to manage all aspects of clous infrastructure & operations for applications and solutions that are hosted on numerous ZS’s public clouds. CCoE’s Managed Service Provider team engages in supporting solution implementations on client owned public cloud environments.

 

Val’s expertise includes vast experience in software development, architecture, management, and cloud operations across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.

 

Val holds an MS in Software Engineering and Project Management from DePaul University and a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

David Ruzicka, Cybersecurity Program Delivery Director, Clarios

 

Dave Ruzicka is a program delivery leader specializing in security and infrastructure projects. Currently Dave is leading the OT Security transformation for Clarios, an automotive battery manufacturer with plants all over the world. He has led cloud and network platforms in the manufacturing space for more than two decades.

 

Allah Rakha Sheikh, Director of Information Technology/CIO, Madison Mutual

 

Allah Rakha Sheikh is a highly accomplished IT leader and results-driven executive, with a wealth of experience spanning over 19 years. His expertise extends across driving innovation in customer engagement, orchestrating product transformations, empowering employees, and optimizing IT operations. Proficient in instilling a culture grounded in ownership, teamwork, and accountability, he places significant emphasis on strategically repositioning IT from a cost center to a revenue generator aligned with broader business objectives.

 

In his role as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Madison Mutual Insurance Company (MMIC), Sheikh is celebrated for his collaborative and empowering leadership approach. He is deeply committed to nurturing a culture that thrives on continuous improvement, encourages creativity, and fosters a profound sense of responsibility within the IT department. Furthermore, his unwavering dedication to talent development and mentorship has resulted in the formation of a motivated and high-performing team, pivotal in shaping the future of technology within MMIC.

Dmitry Shub, CISSP, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Evanston

 

Dmitry Shub is the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Evanston, IL, a diverse community of over 75,000 residents and home to the BIG10’s Northwestern University. As the City’s first CISO he developed a security program in support of a broad spectrum of external patrons and internal users such as police, fire, 911, library, and other critical infrastructure. Dmitry has spent the last 20 years working in government, higher education, and not-for-profit sectors bringing IT leadership to organizations such as Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Public Radio WBEZ 91.5FM. An alum of Columbia College Chicago, he is also an adjunct instructor of Object Oriented Programming and Audio Production for Game Design at the Columbia College Chicago – School of Interactive Arts and Media.

Travis Stevens, Director of IT, Infrastructure and Security, Physicians Health Plan

 

Travis Stevens is a distinguished IT Leader with a robust background in technology strategy. With an MBA emphasizing IT Management and an ongoing pursuit of a Master of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience, Travis has consistently showcased his prowess in driving IT initiatives and leading teams to achieve organizational goals. As the author of “From ‘No’ to ‘Go’: How to Build an IT Department That Drives Innovation,” he has imparted valuable insights into building innovative IT departments. During his tenure as Director of IT at a prominent global enterprise, Travis implemented stringent compliance measures and transformed organizational policies to match industry best practices. Additionally, his time in the U.S. Navy as an IT leader reinforced his dedication to operational excellence and security. Travis’s extensive list of professional certifications, from PMP to CISSP, speaks volumes about his commitment to the field. Currently, he’s steering IT Infrastructure and Security at Physicians Health Plan, ensuring best-in-class practices and compliance standards.

Annur Sumar, Chief Technology Officer, Cloud Unity

 

Annur Sumar is a Microsoft Cloud and Datacenter MVP and technology consultant in the areas of Infrastructure Design, Enterprise Content Management, CRM, Microsoft Azure, System Center and Cloud Technologies. Annur is an industry recognized leader and independent speaker around strategic service automation, technology driven process improvements, IT service alignment, engineering best practices and operations management. All of which are targeted in his presentations to helping businesses with complex IT environments lower Total Cost of Ownership and raising Return On Investments.

 

Prior to joining a Microsoft Partner Consulting firm, Annur served as a Vice President of Technology for Duff & Phelps. One of the world’s leading independent financial advisory firms serving client needs in the areas of valuation, investment banking, transaction advice, and dispute consulting. During his tenure at Duff & Phelps, Annur worked closely with Microsoft product teams and case study managers in providing invaluable feedback around how businesses such as his were able to benefit from cloud technologies that were molded into business solutions. As a Microsoft MVP and industry expert, Annur brings 10 years of experience to work actively with other MVPs and Microsoft Partners to provide industry insight and strategic direction.

Jay Venkatesh, Director, Cloud Migrations, Datametica Solutions

 

Jayashree Venkatesh (Jay) is a Director at Datametica enabling large scale migrations to the cloud for major corporations. She has a masters degree in business and technology management and has successfully led large scale digital transformations, security and compliance programs for Fortune 500 companies across the globe. She has led HIPAA/HITRUST certification programs and is knowledgeable on country specific compliance and security requirements and brings a holistic approach to successfully build and maintain BCP/DR solutions that fit the business, compliance and security requirements.