In less than a decade, Luis Alvarez has grown the Alvarez Technology Group from a small two-person consultancy to the premier IT solution provider on the California Central Coast, delivering IT services to more than 200 companies throughout the state. A visionary who never shies away from exploring exciting new technologies that might give his clients a competitive advantage, Alvarez specializes in working with executives and managers of small and mid-sized businesses, sharing his expertise by advising them on trends, analyzing their systems for improved performance and planning how IT can help achieve their business goals.
Jason Rook is the Vice President of Alliances at 10th Magnitude where he is responsible for developing and executing on strategic relationships that deliver business transforming solutions to 10th Magnitude customers. A 19-year industry veteran, Rook has held a broad range of technical, sales, and channel roles. Prior to joining 10th Magnitude, he was the Director of US Azure Channel Sales at Microsoft where he led a team of sales professionals responsible for driving Microsoft Azure revenue across the US though a broad network of Systems Integrators, Cloud Software Vendors, and Managed Service Providers. Prior to Microsoft Azure, Rook was a Partner Territory Manager who was recognized as the top performing territory in Microsoft’s US Subsidiary and whose team was instrumental in building the early channel ecosystem for Office 365. Regardless of the position that he is in, it is obvious that Rook has a deep passion for helping customers and partners transform businesses through strategic technology innovation and relationships.
David DeCamillis is Head of Business Development with Platte River Networks,an award-winning, Denver-based IT firm specializing in infrastructure management and cloud services. PRN has grown to become a nationally known IT Cloud services provider. DeCamillis also serves as the President and a founder of Colorado Technology Partners and the President of the Denver Biz Tech Expo. He also serves on the Ingram Micro Cloud Services National Advisory Council and the Symantec SMB National Advisory Council. Outside of work, DeCamillis is an avid runner, biker and traveler. He enjoys spending time at the beach with his family and has a love of public speaking.
Stelios Valavanis is the founder and president of onShore Security. He currently serves on the boards of the ACLU of Illinois and We the People Media, and advisory committees for several other organizations. He has appeared as a guest lecturer and panelist for local colleges, non-profits, and various industry events. Stel graduated from the University of Chicago in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. Prior to founding onShore, Stel held a number of technical positions at the University of Chicago.
Stel’s love for things technical has spanned most of his life. By age 15, he was writing dBase code for a market research company, producing an analysis tool for sale to other marketing firms. He formed his first business in 1981, producing and distributing Apple II software packages. Stel also has been involved and remains active in many artistic projects, including audio CD recordings, video compilations, and interactive installations.
Allen Falcon is a technologist and entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the industry. Allen's background includes a unique history of software development and marketing, CIO-level consulting, and entrepreneurship. In 2006, Allen launched the firm no known as Cumulus Global, recognizing the need among small businesses for better managed IT services. Allen leads a team of cloud computing experts helping businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments move to Google Apps and related cloud services. Allen and Cumulus have been recognized as an innovator by CRN and regional business media.
Lawrence Van Deusen is the Director of the Network Integration Line of Business at Dimension Data. Van Deusen has over 18+ years of experience designing, architecting, implementing and supporting enterprise business solutions in a variety of IT computing environments. Prior to joining Dimension Data, Van Deusen was most recently employed as a Senior IT Architect for IBM Global Services in the IP Connectivity services practice. His primary focus was Cisco WAN/LAN architecture design and implementations. Prior to joining IBM Global Services, Van Deusen was employed as a Senior Consultant at Bearing Point (formerly KPMG consulting) where he was employed in the Network Solutions practice.
John D. Head, chief evangelist at PSC Group, is a 20-year veteran of collaboration-application development. Head is a frequent speaker at technology events and works with companies to apply application modernization and mobilization to their business processes and applications. PSC Group, a professional services and information technology consulting firm, created the Application Modernization Center to apply a methodology to invested platforms and applications and bring mobile, cloud, social and analytics to business processes. He is a six time IBM Collaboration Solutions & Social Business Champion and an IBM Cloud Champion. Head is also active in the community outside of his work. He was on the executive board and the community outreach director for Chicago’s non-profit Lumity organization which helps the city and local businesses come together to provide STEM education. Head was also a member of the advisory board of the Leadership Circle of the Executives Club of Chicago. Currently he is a board member and secretary of the executive committee of the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, embracing the mission to empower women and eliminating racism by providing support to all women along various stages of their journeys.
Michael Knight is the CTO at Encore Technology Group and responsible for company go-to-market strategies, technology and sales strategies, vendor relationships, technology partnerships, research and development, cloud building, enterprise architecture and consulting. Knight has been previously employed as the CTO and senior vice president at Computer Software Innovations, Inc. He has worked as the CTO of SDI Networks and as the CIO of American Control Systems, Inc., with over two decades of IT experience.
Phillip Walker is CEO of Network Solutions Provider. He is responsible for all the company's Sales and marketing and business development, Walker was named to this position in Dec, 2009. Phillip Walker CEO of Network Solutions Provider. He has helped grow the company over 7700% Since he has joined NSP. In 2012 alone the company had a record breaking year of growth of over 2000%. Walker has received numerous awards for his leadership over his past 5 years at the helm of NSP, including the 2011 and 2012 Inc. Magazine's Top Ten Black Entrepreneurs. Walker takes an active role in corporate social responsibility initiatives worldwide. In addition, Walker has been widely recognized for his and NSP's philanthropic leadership, in creating a top corporate social responsibility program. Creating a launching several green tech, and job growth programs. Walker Started NSP in 2007 as VP sales and marketing, He assumed the role of President and CEO in 2009. Prior to joining NSP, Spent 15 years working in the telecommunications and Information technology industry.
Michael Lomonaco is the director of marketing and communications for OST. He joined the $160 million leading solution provider in 2011. Michael honed his marketing and communications skills while attending Michigan State University. His career has included positions in local, state and federal political and policy work, corporate and nonprofit consulting, and customer relations, public relations, and marketing in the manufacturing sector. These days, Michael leads the Marketing and Communications team at OST. In this role he is responsible for leading OST’s brand strategy, marketing programs, market insights, and public relations. He has a passion for creating wild outcomes and experiences through his abilities to connect and strategize across the organization, and with customers, partners, and colleagues.
Michael also has a deep connection to service and can be found working with any number of the boards of directors he serves In 2013, 2015, and 2016 Michael was selected as one of Grand Rapids’ “Top 40 Under Forty” business and community leaders.
George Pashardis is Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology, inc. a leading provider of integrated solution suites for enterprise networking, security, unified communications, data center and storage, and also offers complete IT sourcing and fulfillment services. ePlus Technology serves a side variety of organizations in both the public and private sectors, including the Fortune 500, Healthcare, Federal, State and Local Government, K12 and Higher Education, as well as many other vertical markets. The diverse set of IT solutions offered by ePlus Technology are complemented with a suite of on-demand supply chain solutions, a variety of leasing and financing services, and a range of Consulting expertise.
ePlus has been recognized by the Channel Company as one of North America's top technology integrators.
George brings over 25 years of experience in Sales & Marketing, with over 20 years in Sales Management to his role as Regional Vice President of Sales for ePlus Technology. George joined ePlus in May 2004 with ePlus’ acquisition of Manchester Technologies, where he was Director of Sales. Prior to Manchester, he served as Area Director for Elcom Intl.
George has served on several Advisory Boards in the past such as Comptia, Samsung, NEC, 3COM, Hewlett Packard and Lenovo and is also a former Member of the International Who’s Who of Information Technology. George is a current member of the Advisory Board for the Channel Company.
Al Gordon serves as CEO of NSI. Mr. Gordon has helped companies successfully navigate the complexities of procurement, legislative and regulatory issues in the state and local government market. Under his leadership, NSI has helped generate over $7.3 billion in new revenue, and execute successful legislative and regulatory programs, for its clients. Mr. Gordon leads all business development efforts for NSI, building and maintaining NSI's private equity and venture capital relationships for the firm. Mr. Gordon is responsible for the private equity investment for the firm, which has contributed to significant growth and momentum for NSI, over 300 percent over the past two years.
Chris Dixon, senior manager, State and Local Industry Analysis, conducts targeted research aimed at shedding light on the state and local IT markets, and ways for vendors to capitalize on procurement opportunities. In addition to investigating, evaluating, and tracking existing state and local trends, Dixon provides strategic research, analysis, market forecasting, and opportunity analysis.
Shari Phillips is the founder and President of e2e Exchange, LLC (formerly known as E-Rate Exchange). She has specialized in E-rate funding since the program’s inception, and after 18 years of experience she has gained an unmatched understanding of E-rate strategy. Phillip's expertise has allowed her company, e2e Exchange, to become an industry leader. e2e Exchange has worked with a variety of applicants, USAC staff, and service providers while managing over 600 applicants and processing in excess of 7,000 applications. This experience has given Phillips unparalleled knowledge of the Erate program, and of the requirements of schools and libraries in particular.
Doug Robinson serves as executive director for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Representing state CIOs and information technology executives, NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and an advocate for information technology at all levels of government.
Robinson is responsible for the overall executive management of the association including strategic planning, policy execution, government affairs, partnerships, emerging issues, and board and committee oversight. He is a frequent speaker, panelist, and author representing NASCIO issues, state CIOs, emerging trends, and state government IT. In addition, he represents NASCIO on several national boards, committees, and advisory groups.
Commander Kirk Lippold reveals how to lead teams to manage challenges and ensure success in a complex world where financial, security and global threats are of critical concern across industry sectors.
CDR Lippold was in command of the USS Cole when it was targeted by a deadly al Qaeda terrorist attack in 2000, 11 months before 9/11. His team training prior to the attack and unflappable leadership afterwards, galvanized his crew to action, resulting in lives and the ship being saved.
A compelling storyteller, CDR Lippold draws upon his Five Pillars of Leadership to offer strategies he learned and applied to instill integrity into his team members and mitigate crises throughout his naval career. With takeaways for organizations on assessing their own successes and failures to prepare for what the future may hold, his lessons learned can make the difference when it matters most.
Jason Nelson leads Partner Engagement as Executive Director for the Smart Cities Council. The Smart Cities Council seeks to accelerate the deployment of Smart Cities Technology for a more livable, workable, and sustainable world for all citizens. Jason has helped grow the Council's to include Partners such as Deloitte, Toyota, Hitachi, Comcast, and more by advising companies on how best to approach city leaders with complex messages.
Previously at FierceMarkets, Jason launched multi-platform media brands for 25 digital publications across six industries, including Telecom, Energy, Retail, Enterprise IT, Finance and Government. Jason received his BBS in Marketing with a Minor in International Business from Grand Valley State University.
Mr. Rhodes came to state government in January 2011 from Paladin Investments, a private investment company he established and served as managing partner since 2009. Prior to starting his own firm, he worked for Fulton Paper Company for 27 years, serving most recently as executive vice president. Previously, Mr. Rhodes held various positions within the company, including vice president of operations and chief information officer/vice president for information technology. He began his career with the company in its procurement area.
Governor Nathan Deal named Mr. Rhodes to lead the state’s public/private partnership IT transformation and consolidation effort. The initiative has strengthened security, modernized infrastructure and networks, improved reliability and increased transparency in the state’s IT enterprise. Building on its successes, the state is now evolving its service delivery model to enable state agencies to more easily benefit from changes in the IT marketplace. Mr. Rhodes and his team promote an enterprise approach to technology by establishing statewide policies, standards and guidelines based on industry best practices and federal requirements.
The state of Georgia’s leadership position in using technology to improve service delivery has been affirmed by the Center for Digital Government, which awarded the state an A- in its 2014 Digital States Survey. Only three states scored higher than Georgia.
Mr. Rhodes is a Board member of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and serves as its secretary-treasurer. He is also an active member of the Georgia Chief Information Leadership Association and serves on the Technology Association of Georgia’s Science and Technology Executive Committee. He was honored for his leadership by the Technology Association of Georgia in October 2015. In addition, Computerworld magazine named Mr. Rhodes a 2016 Premier 100 Technology Leader in recognition of his technology leadership and innovative approaches to business challenges. Mr. Rhodes was selected by Government Technology as one of the nation’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers for 2016 for his accomplishments using technology to improve government operations and help the public sector serve citizens more effectively.
Mr. Rhodes is a graduate of Darton State College and Georgia Southwestern University and holds a degree in computer information systems. He also earned a master of business administration from the University of Phoenix.
XChange SLED is an ideal addition to XChange 2018. XChange SLED will bring together an additional 30 Solution Providers who are focused on the State, Local and Education markets at the conference. SLED Solution Providers will unite for 1½ days, attending Sunday and Monday’s XChange Keynotes, participating in SLED-focused Boardrooms, and attending a series of Breakout Sessions dedicated to discussing the unique needs of selling IT services and solutions to the public sector.
XChange SLED attendees benefit from networking amongst the broad range of VARS and Solution Providers at XChange, as well as being able to break off into smaller groups of State-, Local- and Education-focused IT Integrators to compare notes and share best practices.
For more information on being part of XChange SLED, please contact Cody Savoie csavoie@thechannelco.com.
Insight. Learn about trends, strategies and emerging opportunities from industry analysts
Connections. Network with your peers and top technology vendors
Information. Gain knowledge about new technology solutions and services
Intelligence. Gather information on your competitors
The insight into the SLED markets from the vendors was fantastic and the panel sessions were excellent. - Computer Design Center
Channel@Work is our way of giving back to the community that has given us so much over the past three decades. This charitable arm of The Channel Company’s events group is designed to bring the IT community together to connect and give back to the local communities that host our events. For questions about this great initiative, please contact Allison Cohen, Event Director acohen@thechannelco.com
Keep up-to-date on The Channel Company events, as well as receive event breaking news and logistic updates by filling in the form below.
© 2025 The Channel Company Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | Email Preferences
Thank you for your interest in updating your email preferences at The Channel Company. In order to provide you with the most appropriate listing of available communications, please select the option below which best describes you/your business: