Calendar

Session Summary:

Join Nathan Lasnoski for an exclusive CTO-to-leadership event, discussing the strategies and technologies that successful companies are considering for 2022. He’ll highlight the top themes that every company should consider part of their strategy, where technologies are in their adoption lifecycle, and how it fits into your organization.

Meet our Speaker:

Nathan Lasnoski is the CTO at Concurrency, a Microsoft-focused professional services firm that helps organizations leverage technology to improve their businesses. He is a 12-time Microsoft MVP, speaks regularly at national business and technology events, and is known for his bold approach and ability to leverage technology to drive transformative change for organizations and the broader communities they serve.

Schedule of Events:

4:00pm: Chapter News and Intros
4:10pm: Nathan Lasnoski’s presentation with Q&A
5:00pm: Closing Comments
5:05pm: Virtual Happy Hour

Cost:
FREE to all interested!  CLICK HERE to sign-up and register.

**SIGN UP REQUIRED on chapter’s Eventbrite page to ensure Zoom meeting link can be sent to participant.

Project Management Panel to discuss “All tools are good, but some apply to tasks better than others.”

Session Summary:

Join us for a lively conversation from a panel of project subject-matter experts who will provide their experiences of using a variety of tools and project methodologies to get things done.  Items for discussion include Agile, Scrum, Disciplined Agile, SAFe and Waterfall.

Meet our Panel:

Patrick Liebmann is an IT Technical Project Lead with Network Health focused on infrastructure and Healthcare related projects.  He has work with in Communications, Records Management, Cartography, Manufacturing as well as Healthcare.  He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM.)  Patrick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering and Business Administration from Lakeland College and an MBA from UW-Oshkosh.

Andy Miller is a senior lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He teaches several courses in project management as well as other subjects. Prior to teaching Andy was a software engineer and then a project manager. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and a certified Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM).  Andy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from MSOE and an MBA from UW-Oshkosh.

Patrick Greenwell is currently an IT Program Manager for Humana, Inc.  Patrick has a BA degree in Economics, with minors in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems (CIS) from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Master’s of Science degree in Public Administration from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  His certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), Professional Scrum Master (PSM) and currently working on obtaining both Leading SAFe and a Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master Certification.

 Patrick Sinnott is an Senior Project Manager with Northwinds Technology focusing on Insurance product development.  His experience is in multiple industries most recently with Healthcare and Insurance. He has certifications with PMI (Project Management Institute) as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), Professional Scrum Master (PSM) and Professional Scrum Product owner (PSPO) with Scrum.org, Six Sigma Green belt and other certs including an BA.

Schedule of Events:

4:00pm: Chapter News and Intros
4:10pm: Panel Discussion with Q&A
5:00pm: Closing Comments
5:05pm: Virtual Happy Hour

Cost:
FREE to all interested!  CLICK HERE to sign-up and register.

**SIGN UP REQUIRED on chapter’s Eventbrite page to ensure Zoom meeting link can be sent to attendee.

Mother of all vulnerabilities – log4j

Session Summary:

What does Minecraft have in common with 58% of the organizations on the internet? Vulnerability to the log4j attack.

By now I’m sure all of you are aware of the “Mother of all vulnerabilities” log4j. I’m sure many of you had some sleepless nights in mid-December as you and your organizations dealt with exposure, patching and ensuring security controls were in place. However, the log4j vulnerability will be an issue for the foreseeable future and continue to be exploited. Let’s take a quick look at the early log4j impact, then how Check Point’s Infinity architecture addressed this issue.

Speaker:

Anthony (Tony) Sabaj is currently the Head of Channel Security Engineering for the Americas at Check Point and member of the Office of the CTO, with over 25 years of experience in the Cyber/Information/Network security industry.  Tony has been at Check Point since 2002 in a variety of sales and technical roles including starting and building the Channel Team in North America.  Prior to joining Check Point Tony was a Senior Product Manager at Telenisus, a startup MSSP/VAR in Chicago. In 2001 the MSSP business of Telenisus was sold to Verisign to start their MSSP business and the VAR business was sold to Forsythe(Sirius) to start their Security Practice. Tony joined Forsythe shortly after that acquisition as a Security Consultant and Certified Check Point trainer.  Tony started his career with Arthur Andersen/Andersen Consulting, building their worldwide IP network, designing the security controls for the firm, and helping build their external Security Consulting Practice.

Schedule of Events:

4:00pm: Chapter News and Intros
4:10pm: Presentation by Tony Sabaj with Q&A
5:00pm: Closing Comments
5:05pm: Virtual Happy Hour

Cost:
FREE to all interested!  CLICK HERE to sign-up and register.

**SIGN UP REQUIRED on chapter’s Eventbrite page to ensure Zoom meeting link can be sent to attendee.

Topic: Building Your Influence

Session Summary: 

John Maxwell, the author, speaker and pastor who has authored over 100 books on leadership, once said: “Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.” Whether or not you consider yourself a leader, you do possess an ability to influence others.

But do you consider yourself an influencer? Not the sort of influencer you hear about today – you know who I’m referring to, oftentimes a celebrity who uses social media to endorse or promote a product and leverages their fan base to increase sales. Rather, are you an influencer who inspires or guides the actions of others – even when there is no direct chain of command – meaning, you aren’t the boss (or the parent!)

Here’s the deal, you don’t have to be someone’s boss to be an influencer.

In this session, we’ll cover the six characteristics all true influencers share, what you can do to dial up your own influence, and how to create an Influence Network of your own.

Speaker Bio:

Gina Glover is a career coach and speaker – and a returning speaker for our chapter! Prior to starting her business, aptly named Gina Connects, she enjoyed over 25 years in various roles in the Fox Valley and fostering connections is what she loves doing most. Gina is working on her first book “Navigating SHIFT Creek” to help career changers find their way forward and she is also pursuing a quest to run a race in every state – #22 is coming up this summer.

Schedule of Events:

4:00pm: Chapter News and Intros
4:10pm: Presentation with Q&A
5:00pm: Closing Comments
5:05pm: Virtual Happy Hour

Cost:
FREE to all interested!  CLICK HERE to sign-up and register.

**SIGN UP REQUIRED on chapter’s Eventbrite page to ensure Zoom meeting link can be sent to attendee.

Registration closes 4/18 at 5:00pm

Topic: Human-Centered approach to Tech Manufacturing & Innovation

Session Summary: 

Developing products in a manufacturing company might seem natural, but are you unlocking your full potential? You may have the best idea and a team of amazing talented developers and creators, but your product will not hit the potential until you embrace the Human-Centered Innovation approach. Only with proper research, feedback loop, and attention to detail will your innovation feel polished and ready for consumption.

Speaker Bio:

Brian Haydin is a Solutions Architect with more than 20 years of experience helping clients build software and products to move their businesses forward.  

As a longtime consultant, Brian brings deep experience across many industry settings to his work with his clients. He leads complex projects that facilitate digital transformation and innovation, making use of Azure cloud technologies and a wide range of coding languages and tools. Brian is an active member of several professional user groups and is a frequent speaker on innovative technologies, including topics such as building serverless systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Time & Date: 5:00-7:00pm, Tuesday, October 18

Event location: Holidays Appleton, 3962 N. Richmond Street, Appleton WI

Cost: $10 Members, $15 non-Members, $5 Students with school ID

Please join us for casual in-person conversations with your fellow IT professionals!

• Enjoy an educational session presented by Brian Haydin from Concurrency, Inc
• Boneless wings, meatballs and pizza will be served during the social
• As a bonus, each attendee will receive 1 free drink ticket!

Topic: Top 10 Ways to Prevent a Cyberattack

Session Summary: 

In 2022, cyber security is as important as ever, especially considering the possibility of increased state-sponsored cyberwarfare as a byproduct of the Russian and Ukrainian conflict. While cyberattacks and threats are an ongoing fight, they can be prevented by being aware of the various types of protocols, exploits, tools, and resources used by malicious attackers. In addition, knowing where and how to expect attacks ensures you’re taking preventative measures to protect your systems. Prevention is key, and we’ll show you the Top 10 Ways You Can Prevent a Cyberattack and how to safeguard your organization effectively.

Speaker: Mark Ziesemer

Mark Ziesemer is a versatile Information Technology professional with over 20 years of comprehensive experience and an Information Security focus across networking, infrastructure/operations, cloud technologies, and software development. He has regularly been involved in all areas of I.T. from design, engineering, and architecture through operations, support, and training – with emphases in security, high availability, monitoring, performance, quality, automation, standards compliance, and documentation across all efforts – and with a proficiency towards providing enterprise services and solutions. Held certifications include the (ISC)2 CISSP, CCSP, and CSSLP.

Schedule of Events:

5:00pm: Chapter News and Intros
5:10pm: Presentation with Q&A
6:00pm: Closing Comments
6:05pm: Virtual Happy Hour

Cost:
FREE to all interested!  CLICK HERE to sign-up and register.

**SIGN UP REQUIRED on chapter’s Eventbrite page to ensure Zoom meeting link can be sent to attendee.

Come join us as we learn more about the convergence of technology and where this march of technology may take us!

• Take part in an in-person educational session on Technology Megatrends

• Heavy hors d’oeuvres (wings, pizza, veggies) will be served

• 1 free drink ticket for each attendee!

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Time: 5:00pm Doors open, food & networking

5:30 pm Welcome & Technology Megatrends Presentation, additional networking to follow

Event location: Holidays Pub & Grill, Appleton, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton WI

Cost: $0 Members (free), $10 non-Members, $5 Students with school ID

5:30pm Session: Technology Megatrends         

The world is changing at exponential speed due to the convergence of technology: AI, 3D printing, robotics, quantum computing, blockchain, and ubiquitous high bandwidth connectivity. The next twenty years will be one of the most significant times in history to be alive. But do you understand how these advances will affect your life? Your work? How did we reach this point where a world of abundance is at our fingertips? Yet the inevitable march of technology goes unnoticed?

I hope you will join me as I walk you through the technology megatrends that will change our lives forever. With over twenty years of experience managing sales at EDCi, a Value Added Reseller in NE Wisconsin, and the last six years researching technology trends for my novel, The Alleged Conspiracy, my presentation is not focused on the bits and bytes of our industry. But on the larger scale, focusing on developments that will rock our world.

Speaker: Nicholas (Nick) A. Tseffos

CS Lewis said, “Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God, do you learn.”

The world of “experience” has shaped my life. From a humble blue-collar family in Racine, Wisconsin, I graduated from Iowa State University in 1975. By thirty-three, I became Vice President of Sales for Bemis Company’s Distributor Products Division. I changed professions in 1996 to enter the technology industry. I joined EDCi, a VAR in Appleton, Wisconsin, rising to Executive Vice President and Partner. In 2016, I sold my interest in the company to pursue my lifelong passion for writing.

I am an active member of the International Thriller Writers Association. Through their THRILLER-TIQUE program providing authors with virtual critique groups, I was selected to work with authors Bonnar Spring and Stacy Woodson. I have studied at the Loft in Minneapolis under the guidance of author Tea Obreht, and at the Chippewa Valley Writer’s Guild with Nickolas Butler. My short stories have won awards at The Mill in Appleton, WI, and I was recently published by Indignor House in an anthology.

My motto is that the world is never black and white. It’s gray. The only absolute we can count on is change. Technology will be the driver of massive transformation in our lives, and my twenty years of experience in the field gave me the background to write a techno-thriller. The Alleged Conspiracy is the result.

Come join us as we learn more about E-Recycling and what steps you can take to improve our resources and our world.

• Take part in our interactive session on E-Recycling and Data Security

• Heavy hors d’oeuvres (wings, pizza, veggies, fruit) will be served

• 1 free drink ticket for each attendee!

Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Time: 5:00pm Doors open, food & networking

5:30 pm Welcome & Speaker Presentation, additional networking to follow

Event location: Holidays Pub & Grill, Appleton, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton WI

Cost: $0 Members (free), $10 non-Members, $5 Students with school ID

5:30pm Session: Managing end of life electronics for a sustainable and data secure future

Global E-Waste is a fast-growing waste stream and projected to reach over 100 million tons in the next 30 years. E-Waste may be just 2% of solid waste but accounts for 70% of the hazardous toxins entering the waste stream. With so little actually recycled what can we do to increase community efforts to improve our earth’s resources? Come find out how!

Be a part of the conversation as Janek Cieszynski from Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction shares insights on what can be done in your workplace and in your home to reuse and recycle your electronics, as well as secure your data when your electronic asset has reached its end of life.

Speaker: Janek Cieszynski

Janek is the Regional Accounts Manager for Sadoff E-Recycling and Data Destruction, a Division of Sadoff Iron and Metal, a scrap metals recycler providing 75 years of safety, sustainability & customer satisfaction.

As a whole brain thinker, Janek brings expertise to closing the IT Ecosystem thru proper and certified recycling with particular attention to data security, sustainability and ESG concerns, working with national and regional clientele.

His passion stretches into volunteerism for the Scouts of America and being a Leave No Trace Trainer.

Sadoff Iron & Metal offers scrap metal recycling of non-ferrous metals and ferrous scrap, auto salvage, electronics recycling, and more. Their multiple locations provide exceptional recycled products and programs for steel mills, foundries, smelters, and many others. Their mission is to incorporate a customer focus, attain operational excellence, find innovative solutions, and manage risk. They do this through investment in their people, teamwork, and adhering to the standards of excellence. You can find out more on their website at sadoff.com.

Be a part of our ChatGPT, chatbot and AI roundtable conversation.

Join us as we discuss the latest in this technology, what potential impacts it will have in our future, and why this is so important to examine today!

• Interactive Roundtable with our amazing panelists

• Heavy hors d’oeuvres (wings, pizza, veggies, fruit) will be served

• One free drink ticket for each attendee!

Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Time: 5:00pm Doors open, food & networking

5:45 pm Welcome & Roundtable with Panelists

Additional networking to follow.

Event location: Holidays Pub & Grill, Appleton, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton WI

Cost: $0 Members (free), $10 non-Members, $5 Students with school ID

5:45pm Session: ChatGPT – What’s next for this ever-growing AI technology?

Chatbots have been with us for a number of years. So when ChatGPT recently began to take center stage with its advanced conversational capabilities many people wondered is this just another buzz in the headlines, or truly another stepping stone in artificial intelligence that will take the world by storm.

Join us for this interactive panel discussion to share your thoughts on chatbots and gain insights from educators and technologists in our community.

Panelist: Brent Presley

Brent is a professor of software development at Mid-State in Stevens Point, with over 20 years of experience in managerial roles in various business fields dealing with IT. Since 2015, Brent has been teaching software development in education.

Brent will be discussing his thoughts on ChatGPT and AI, including how ChatGPT is trained and how it works, as well as the ways in which AI can benefit a wide range of industries. He hopes to encourage discussion around AI and its role in shaping the future of technology. In particular, he will be addressing the natural concerns around job security in the IT industry and aims to help attendees become more informed about AI in general.

Panelist: Matt Meis

Matt has several years of experience in software development, Cybersecurity, and threat hunting. Most recently Matt has taken on an educational role as an IT Security Instructor at Mid-State Technical College.

Matt has been using AI image generators and chatbots recreationally and has worked through many issues these tools create for the education environment and student learning.

Panelist: Joe Baldwin

Joe is a Business Productivity Engineer – Modern Work Team for Heartland Business Systems. He has 25 years’ experience in IT, 19 years in the Microsoft Stack and 3 years as an IT Instructor. He is experienced in SharePoint On-premises Stand-ups and Rescues, Fileshare & SharePoint to Cloud Migrations, Cloud to Cloud Migrations, and Azure & O365 Integrations.

He also has a healthy fear of Robots and AI since he saw “The Black Hole” at age of 3.

Panelist (MC): Jared Alfson

Jared is a redneck geek, serving as a humble Scrum Master at Navitus Health Solutions. With a start in customer phone support at a local, dial-up Internet Service Provider in rural Northeast Wisconsin, he made his way to healthcare where he’s served over 15 years in various healthcare IT roles. A notable achievement was leading a rural, community hospital through a paper to Electronic Health Record conversion as part of the federal government’s incentive in the early 2010’s.

Jared is active in his church and other community organizations, including those his three kids are involved in. As a struggling gamer (that is, a gamer struggling to find time for gaming), he also enjoys podcasts, movies, and road trips with his kids in the RV.

As a geek always on the lookout for lifehacks, he’s excited to be a part of this conversation on ChatGPT and explore how this implementation of AI can help us all.