NEW AITP News

April 2026 - Aligning Your Project to the Business Strategy

Bentley Epple — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:10:35 GMT

Project Managers traditionally focus on scope, schedule, cost, and quality. Successful Project Leaders go a step beyond and include an understanding of their organization and their team. In this session, we will look at how Project Managers can collaborate with their Sponsors, Team Members, and Stakeholders to create wins that impact the organizations strategic goals.

Tom Jefferson has held many roles throughout his career. He has managed staff across program/project management, operations, support desk, end-user training, application development and quality assurance. Mr. Jefferson also led Corporate IT Governance activities translating business priorities into IT initiatives while ensuring prudent financial management. Mr. Jefferson currently holds adjutant professorships at Lakeland University, Fox Valley Technical College and Rasmussen University teaching Project Management, Risk Management, Organizational Leadership and various technical subjects

Event Details:

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Doors open at 5:00 pm - Networking and food! Program begins at 5:45pm
Holidays Pub & Grill, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI
Cost:
- FREE for Members!
- $20 for Non-Members/Guests
- $10 for Students (with school ID)

March 2026 - CTRL + ALT + LEAD: Rebooting Cyber Culture with Human Skills

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:47:47 GMT

CLICK HERE to Register!

**MARCH UPDATE : If you previously signed up in February for this event, no need to re-register. We have you covered and registered!! See you on March 24th.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 @ 5:00pm, program begins at 5:45pm
Holidays Pub & Grill, Appleton

Technical skills might get someone through the door in cybersecurity—but it’s leadership, communication, and mentorship that keep them growing and contributing at a high level. As our field becomes more complex and critical, we must evolve how we build and lead our teams.

This talk explores the often-overlooked soft skills that transform technically capable individuals into effective collaborators, trusted advisors, and future leaders. From coaching junior analysts to bridging the language gap between the SOC and the C-suite, cybersecurity professionals must be just as confident navigating human dynamics as they are navigating technical systems.

Drawing from real-world experience leading teams in high-pressure, mission-driven environments, Amanda will share practical insights on how to foster a culture of psychological safety, build mentorship pipelines, and develop communication strategies that elevate problem-solving and team resilience. This session is not about "going soft"—it’s about leading with purpose, growing with intention, and understanding that our greatest defense is not just our tools, but our people.

Featured Speaker: Amanda Kollmorgan is the Deputy State IT Director for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. Amanda is passionate about developing people-first teams, mentoring future leaders, and fostering innovation through collaborative leadership. With nearly 20 years of military and civilian experience, she brings a well-rounded expertise in cybersecurity and IT strategy.

Who Should Attend:

• Cybersecurity professionals and SOC team members
• IT leaders and technology managers
• CIOs, CISOs, and executive decision-makers
• Emerging leaders looking to grow their influence
• Business leaders working closely with IT and security teams
• Anyone interested in strengthening team culture and resilience

Join us by Registering today!

Jan 2026 - The AI Readiness Journey: From Foundational Tech to Agentic AI

Chris Nimmer — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:20:00 GMT

Cut through the AI Hype - Learn from foundational tech to agentic AI, with practical models to assess and advance.

Join Jake Beyer, Chief Technology Officer at EDCi, as he helps to cut through the AI Hype.

Everybody is talking about AI - but where should an organization actually begin? In this session, Jake Beyer of EDCi breaks down the AI Readiness Journey, helping attendees understand how companies progress from foundational technologies to more advanced capabilities like agentic AI and A2A.

Whether you're just starting to explore AI or already running advanced initiatives, this session will provide practical insights and a clear frame to help you move forward with confidence.

Click to Register

Key Takeaways

Understand the progression from foundational AI technologies to agentic AI
Learn what "AI readiness" really means and how to evaluate it within your organization.
Explore AI maturity models and how they apply to real-world business environments.
Identify common gaps and challenges organizations face on their AI journey.
Gain practical guidance for building a realistic, business-aligned AI roadmap.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: Doors open at 5:00 pm for food and networking, the magic starts at 5:45 pm!
Location: Holidays Pub & Grill, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI
Cost:
- FREE for Members!
- $20 for Non-Members/Guests
- $10 for Students (with school ID)

Member Appreciation Night & Guest Fun Night!

Chris Nimmer — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:21:51 GMT

NEW AITP Member Appreciation Night and Guest Fun Night!

Hosted by: NEW AITP and Holiday's Pub & Grill

We’re celebrating YOU - our members! Join NEW AITP for our annual Member Appreciation Night at Holidays Pub & Grill in Appleton.

This year, we’re adding a little magic to the mix, featuring a close-up performance by James David Magic, with incredible illusions involving cards, coins, and voodoo!

Event Highlights:

NEWAITP Entertainment: Prepare for an hour-long, up-close magic show by James David Magic (cards, coins, and voodoo!).
Appetizer Feast: We're covering the food! Enjoy a spread of delicious appetizers, including wings, pizza, fresh veggies, and fruit.
Great Networking: Connect with other IT professionals in the greater Fox Valley area.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Time: Doors open at 5:00 pm for food and networking, the magic starts at 5:45 pm!
Location: Holidays Pub & Grill, 3950 N. Richmond Street, Appleton, WI
Cost:
- FREE for Members!
- $20 for Non-Members/Guests
- $10 for Students (with school ID)

Oct 2025 - Lessons from the Frontlines: Strengthening Security with Limited Budget

Chris Nimmer — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:10:43 GMT

Join us on October 28 at 5:00pm for Ben Dumke's presentation on Lessons from the Frontlines: Strengthening Security with Limited Budget.

Ben Dumke, System & Network Manager at Lawrence University, will share lessons learned from real-world cybersecurity incidents and practical steps you can take to protect your organization. And the best part? No big budget required!

Using a “baseline, good, better” framework based on NIST standards and K12SIX.org, Ben will show how small, cost-effective actions can have a major impact.

Ben Dumke leads the IT infrastructure team at Lawrence University and has over two decades of experience in K-12 and higher education Technology Management. He serves on the WiscNet and NEW AITP Boards and volunteers with the Wisconsin Cyber Response Team.

Click here to register!

Sept 2025 - Tech Strong, People Strong: Creating IT Teams That Thrive - Diane W Doersch

Chris Nimmer — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:32:44 GMT

Join us on September 23 at 5:00pm for Diane W Doersch's presentation titled Tech Strong, People Strong: Creating IT Teams That Thrive.

This is an interactive session designed for IT leaders who want to elevate their teams beyond daily technical tasks.

You’ll walk away with actionable tools you can use immediately — rethinking how you write job descriptions and recruit, how to strengthen collaboration across silos, or create a culture where every team member feels valued and empowered to perform under pressure.

Diane W. Doersch is the Senior Director of Information Technology at Digital Promise. As the Senior Director of Information Technology at Digital Promise, she leads the IT strategy and innovation for a national nonprofit organization that aims to accelerate innovation in education and improve learning opportunities for all.

Click here for additional event details and registration.

May 2025 - Managing Cybersecurity Risks: From Incident to Recovery

Chris Nimmer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:38:10 GMT

Join John Rohland and Nick Gilbertson from EDCi on May 21 for insights on the essential components of cybersecurity risk management and incident recovery, providing actionable insights and best practices.

John is a Solutions Architect at EDCi, a seasoned Technology & Security Leader with over 30 years of experience in IT, specializing in secure, scalable, and efficient technology solutions.

Nick is a Director of Professional Services & Information Technology/Security at EDCi, with over 25 years of experience in IT management and implementation.

Both speakers will bring their knowledge of security strategies, security forensics, insurance coordination, FBI liaisons, legal interpretation, and ransomware negotiations. Register on our Events page today!

Azure in an Hour/ Mark Ziesemer, HBS

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Join Mark Ziesemer on April 22 to explore Microsoft Azure, security best practices, disaster recovery & hybrid cloud solutions. Learn "quick wins" to boost your business!

As a Microsoft-certified expert in Azure and cybersecurity, Mark specializes in cloud solutions, governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC). Mark will also share strategies to leverage cloud technology for business success.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Register now and be a part of the conversation.

Click to Register

The Growing Challenge of E-Waste & Responsible Recycling

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 23:54:40 GMT

Join Janek Cieszynski from Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction as he dives into sustainable solutions for electronic waste management. This session will cover industry shifts, proper recycling practices, data security considerations, and the importance of choosing certified recyclers.

Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can make a difference! Register now and be part of the conversation.