GroundWork group's 3rd Annual Members Conference is going to be our best annual event yet!  The theme for this year's conference is "Collaboration – Working Together" and we will explore this topic from a wide variety of perspectives.

The conference will be held on

Friday, October 17th

Fawcett Center at The Ohio State University

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

We will be offering eight breakout sessions that will provide associates at all levels within your organization or company a variety of timely IT-related topics.  Below is a detailed listing of the sessions that will be offered:

Morning Sessions:

      Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. E. Gordon Gee, President, The Ohio State University

      IT Managed Services

Speaker: Stephanie Neighbarger, VP of IT, GroundWork group

Many nonprofit organizations find it hard to keep up with the latest technologies, security threats and network infrastructure challenges.  Instead of using IT as a strategic resource and expanding the mission and direct services, they waste valuable time and money struggling to keep their equipment and software up and running reliably.  An IT managed solution provides a work smarter, not harder, way to manage your limited IT resources.  Come hear about how powerful and flexible managed technology solutions can deliver the reliability and performance you need to manage your IT within your budget.

Stephanie Neighbarger joined GroundWork group in May 2006. Prior to GroundWork group, she spent three years as CIO and sole technology provider for two separate companies simultaneously. In addition, she spent over sixteen years direct experience in technology with nonprofit organizations at United Way of Central Ohio and Ohio United Way. With GroundWork group, she oversees all of the Member technology service offerings. Stephanie hold a bachelors degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

      Data Management "Lost and Found"

Speaker: Matthew Chretien, President, Intellinetics, Inc.

The task of managing data can be daunting.  But, it doesn't have to be.  There are five (5) steps to managing your data, keeping it from being "lost", so that it can always be "found".  This session will focus on the tools you can use to ensure that you have access to the right information in the right place at the right time.

Matthew Chretien has extensive systems design and project management experience. These skills have been critical to successfully designing and implementing the infrastructure required to support Intellinetics' hyper accelerated growth in timely system delivery and its superior levels of service. Matt is degreed in materials engineering from The Ohio State University and has graduate study in productions and operations management, earning vital knowledge in applied computer technology during stints for a turbine systems manufacturer and a leading public safety software maker. At Intellinetics, Matt has been directly responsible for defining the broad scope and managing detailed aspects of on-time, on-budget project completions for many Intellivue clients. Matt serves as an active board member with several nonprofits organizations and is a member of the CIO Forum.

      How Green Is Your House?

Speaker: Rockwell "Rocky" Bonecutter, Executive Partner, Accenture

IT, one of an organization's largest consumers of energy, is being asked to show commitment to reducing carbon emissions. As non-profits and educational organizations, Greening-up the data center is not enough. IT's corporate role enables it to effect green change on a broader scale. Addressing areas where IT can have an impact on the environment makes it possible to architect solutions that tie in green goals while increasing efficiency, productivity, and employee enablement. This session focuses on five key areas in which IT can have a rapid impact on energy usage--and, ultimately, competitive differentiation.

Rockwell Bonecutter leads Accenture's North American Data Center Technologies & Operations Practice. His practice accounts for hundreds of resources globally that focuses on both strategic and tactical remediation, consolidation, integration and optimization of large-scale enterprise computing environments. As one of the largest Infrastructure Consulting organization in the world, Mr. Bonecutter's team has improved data center efficiency within the majority of the world's Fortune 500 companies. He has written articles and been quoted in several industry publications as a recognized leader in the areas of data center management, assessment of technology impact for IT mergers and acquisitions, and large-scale technology architecture optimization and green computing solutions.

      How Does Your Website Reflect "Who You Are" or "Does It?"

Speaker: Ben Blanquera, Director of Application Delivery, Progressive Medical, Inc.

Website's can be incredibly valuable assets to your organization.  In this interactive session we will review how to assess your current website and review strategies to improve its value to your organization.  We will also discuss online social networking tools and how they can be leveraged in your organization.

Ben Blanquera is the Director of Applications Delivery for Progressive Medical, Inc. In his role Ben is responsible for the development, delivery, and support of all applications as well as business intelligence functions. Prior to joining Progressive Medical he was the Director of the Columbus Technology Council (the predecessor of TechColumbus) and was instrumental in leading the membership activities that led to increased retention, growth and sustainability. Born in the Phillipines and raised in New Jersey, Ben earned a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University and a Masters in Organizational Development from Bowling Green State University. He is also PMP and six sigma certified.

Afternoon Sessions:

      Resource (Tracking) Management

Speaker: Eric V. Schmidt, President, iBeam Solutions, LLC

Resource Tracking Management covers a multitude of subjects with a multitude of resources that can be used in a multitude of ways.  This session will cover what resources are from tools and materials to time.  Coverage will include ways to track inventory assets, employee time, library resource, managing copiers and fax machines, ways to track vehicles and usage, and even programs that can be loaded on to devices to track their usage and track them down if they are missing.

Eric Schmidt is currently the President of iBeam Solutions, a technology company and is also CEO for Language Access Network Inc., a publicy traded company that recently acquired iBeam Solutions. Eric has been in the computing and technology industry since 1982. Prior to co-founding iBeam Solutions, he was the CIO for Bricker & Eckler LLP for over seven years, two years in healthcare industry, four years as Director of IT of the largest College at The Ohio State University, as well as serving in the Marine Corps. He is currently President of the Canal Winchester Main Street program, member of Ohio's Data Center Energy Efficiency Advisory Group as well as many others. Originally from Lancaster, Ohio and attended college at Ohio University and Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa.

      HR – Utilizing Technology to Assess Job Skills

Speaker: Chasity Kuttrus, Partner, Ray & Barney Group

"You have to use technology to attract and retain the best workers," says Ray & Barney Group Partner Chasity Kuttrus.  The reason for this increased importance in the utilization of technology is that, "technology gives us an advantage in how we assess the needs, source candidates and evaluate skills and behaviors."  Additionally, the generation now entering the workforce is so technically inclined.  If any company is going to be in the running for the best and the brightest of these young workers, it has to be supportive of the way they want to work – which includes using the latest technology.  This breakout session will focus on three primary areas: (1) Assessing your needs using technology; (2) Sourcing candidates using technology; and (3) Evaluating candidates using technology.

Chasity Kuttrus brings many years of Human Resources expertise to the organization. She started her career at Andersen Consulting and drove the HR and recruiting efforts for the organization. Her next role at NC Group was to manage the Operations and entire HR effort of this consulting organization based in Columbus, OH. Prior to joining Ray & Barney Group, she was the Director of Human Resources for the America's at NCR. She is a results-oriented Human Resources Executive with comprehensive and progressive experience creating, planning, implementing and directing HR strategies in fast-paced, dynamic environments. She is also recognized as an exception leader with the ability to pull diverse groups together to achieve common goals. She received her Bachelors of Science in Business (emphasis – Human Resource Management) from The Ohio State University.

      Stretching the IT Dollar

Speaker: John Hrusovsky, CEO, GroundWork group

In today's economy, stretching the IT dollar is more important than ever.  It is not about spending money, it is about spending and stretching the dollar in the most cost effective manner and making the most of available resources.  This session will provide tangible examples and methods to make the most of your IT investment.  It will also explore how to make IT a strategic aspect of the business on a shoestring budget.

John Hrusovsky became CEO of GroundWork group in January 2006. John has been instrumental in all aspects surrounding the building of the organization. He has established his presence within the member agencies, funders, and the community, both nonprofit and for profit. His previous position was as the Managing Partner of the Accenture Columbus offices. He has proven experience in implementing business process and information technology solutions for 20 years and has assisted in transforming organizations into best in class service delivery focusing on improving customer satisfaction, becoming more cost effective and establishing a business technology vision. In a leadership role, he participated in the implementation of a multitude of projects at various organizations around the administrative business processes and systems. John graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration, MIS/Accounting.

      Quit Chasing Technology and Tame it!

Speaker: Chris Wolfe, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of ChaseTek, LLC

Not a day goes by without a new experience.  That's if we are lucky!  The world is changing faster than we can, and technology is leading the way.  New tools are readily available from all of the major designers, creators, manufactures - pick a title – and none of us want to be left behind.  Businesses are always searching for the next great thing, the next advantage.  Guess what?  There is no software or hardware or platform or CSM or ISM or IBM or any M that will make everything right, except you.  Plan first is the mission.  What needs done, how is it being done today, what needs done better, what can help us do it better?  This is the normal process for evaluation, but how quickly we ALL forget one of the first, and for many of us the  only, Physics lesson we ever learned:  for every action there exists an equal and opposite reaction.  Too often, we implement solutions thinking they will solve our problems.  The reality is different and our approach needs to be different.  Products are designed to solve certain problems; satisfy certain needs.  None of us have the same problems or needs…or do we?

Chris Wolfe is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of ChaseTek. Since 1992, Chris has held various positions in the telecommunications industry, developing expertise in the areas of hybrid key and PBX telephone equipment, as well as voice and data network infrastructures. At ChaseTek, founded in 2003, he leverages his knowledge to provide support to businesses and nonprofit organizations as they develop strategies for implementing technology solutions to improve operational efficiency while reducing overall costs. Chris is a graduate of The Ohio State University. Chris serves as a Village Councilman in New Albany and a Board Member for the Jean B. McCoy Center for the Arts.

      Closing Keynote Speaker: Bob Harrington, Senior Manager, LaPiana Associates, Inc.

Click this link to Register Today!

For more information on the conference or about sponsorship opportunities, contact Brenda Grosse at 614-884-7780 ext. 101 or email at bgrosse@groundworkgroup.org.