Tech Day Agenda
Cyber Resilient Architectures
Room: Salon C
In today’s interconnected world, where cyber threats, user error, and natural disasters are a constant threat, organizations face unprecedented challenges in safeguarding their data and systems. Cyber Resilience is a concept that can help organizations prepare for all manner of disaster, but what exactly does it entail, and what tools can organizations leverage to cultivate it effectively?
This track is designed for executives, IT professionals, cybersecurity practitioners, and anyone seeking to fortify their organization’s defenses across Cloud, AI, Network and Data Center.
Session 1
10:00am – 10:50am
Demystifying Cyber Resilience
Constant threats of destructive malware, ransomware, malicious insider activity, system failure and even honest mistakes have forced engineers to architect their networks differently. In this session, we discuss the latest trends in IT engineering like Zero Trust Network Access and Disaster Recover as a Service as tools to make environments more cyber resilient against hackers or every day disasters.
JR Garcia
Director – Solutions Engineering
JR Garcia is the Director of Solutions Engineering at ANM. With over two years of experience in this role, JR leads solutions engineering teams in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, focusing on network, data center, and security architectures. Prior to joining ANM he was a solutions engineer at Cisco Systems, and worked in Product Development for a service provider in Anchorage, AK. He is a CCIE and holds degrees in Telecommunications and Business Management.
Session 2
11:00am – 11:50am
Recovering from Ransomware
Did you know most organizations believe they will be victims of a Ransomware attack? In this session, we discuss how to identify and recover from cyber-attacks from experts at ANM and Rubrik. We’ll help prepare you from a cyber event and avoid becoming a statistic.
Chad Olsen
Solutions Architect
Chad Olsen is an accomplished Solutions Architect with extensive experience spanning more than 20 years in the Information Technology field. His professional journey began in 1999, where he initially worked as a microcomputer specialist within the local government sector. However, he swiftly transitioned into a consulting role and joined a local integrator, where he provided technical services to a diverse clientele, including State, Local, Education, and healthcare organizations across New Mexico, Colorado, and West Texas. This consulting experience played a crucial role in augmenting Chad’s expertise as a data center solutions architect.
One of Chad’s standout qualities is his exceptional ability to comprehend business priorities and effectively align them with technical requirements and existing investments. This unique talent enables him to tackle complex challenges in the realm of Data Center and Cloud technologies. Through his comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, Chad is able to provide innovative and effective solutions that address intricate problems in these areas.
Session 3
1:30pm – 2:20pm
Simplifying Multi-Cloud Connectivity and Security
This session explores strategies for optimizing hybrid cloud connectivity and network security. Attendees will learn about common deployment scenarios for connecting to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud from On Premise datacenters. The presentation offers insights to streamline network services across diverse cloud environments, empowering organizations to drive successful cloud adoption and integration strategies.
Adam Ordal
Principal Engineer
Adam Ordal is a well diversified Principal Engineer with over 15 years of experience working in Information Technology. Starting out in 2004 working on the helpdesk for a multinational conglomerate corporation he discovered his talent for solving complex technical issues. Growing from his start on the helpdesk he has since worked for several organizations while gaining an understanding of several key technologies which allow him to understand how many of todays technologies operate. Adam now has a background in network, compute, storage, security, automation and cloud. He has had the opportunity to work with several customers across every vertical to solve complex challenges and architect new solutions to meet the demands of new workloads.
Session 4
2:30pm – 3:20pm
Data Security and AI Readiness
We are at a critical intersection in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). Is your organization and (importantly) your data ready for the AI onslaught? In this discussion we will review current AI adoption trends and the fundamental aspects of data security that should be considered when considering AI for business use cases.
Chris Hammer
Cybersecurity Solutions Architect
Chris Hammer is an accomplished Security Architect with over 20 years of experience working in Information Technology and Information Security. Starting out in 1999 working as a Desktop Technician for a large Utility he found his passion for security by being one of the lead engineers that helped develop their malware response team. In pursuit of being able to understand and apply security principles across the IT stack he went on to hold senior engineering roles not only in security but also networking, datacenter, and cloud technologies. Additionally, Chris has held senior management positions leading teams that designed and supported IT and Security Programs aligned to driving secure business outcomes.
Collaboration
Room: Roadrunner
Session 1
10:00am – 10:50am
Mass Notifications and 911 Compliance
Join us as we explore the dynamic landscape of modern collaboration, mass communication and new requirements surrounding E911 . We’ll discuss Kari’s Law, RAY BAUMs act, and the up and coming ALYSSA act. We’ll walk through some design considerations for E911 solutions, and examine the importance of real-time mass notification in our world today.
Rebecca Bleicher
Director of Collaboration Practice
Rebecca Bleicher is the Director of the Collaboration Practice at ANM. She has over 22 years of experience in engineering , sales architecture and engineering leadership. Bleicher has a long history and expert experience with collaboration technologies, helping customers as an engineer to migrate to Voice over IP Solutions. Since that time, she’s led engineering teams that focused on collaboration deployments and now leads ANM’s collaboration innovation practice along with leads ANM’s Collaboration engineering team, both sales and execution. She’s currently focused on building new partnerships, nurturing existing partnerships, next gen collaboration solutions, UCaaS, CPaaS and ensuring both sales and engineering are positioned to help customers embrace these new technologies to be successful in the new way of Hybrid Workplace.
Adam Stoddard
Solutions Architect
Adam Stoddard is a seasoned IT professional who has dedicated the past decade to specializing in VoIP technologies and collaborative communications. As a Solutions Architect at ANM, he is committed to guiding customers through the complexities of modern collaboration. With a wealth of experience across various IT roles, Adam leverages his extensive knowledge to help customers harness technology for effective problem-solving. He holds multiple industry certifications and a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in communication.
Session 2
11:00am – 11:50am
Cloud Migration – Navigating the Journey
Cloud Bound for your Unified Communications and Contact Center platform? Regardless of the platform you are considering, Join us for an interactive session to review best practices, lessons learned, important dependencies and things to consider to be successful in your journey.
Rebecca Bleicher
Director of Collaboration Practice
Rebecca Bleicher is the Director of the Collaboration Practice at ANM. She has over 22 years of experience in engineering , sales architecture and engineering leadership. Bleicher has a long history and expert experience with collaboration technologies, helping customers as an engineer to migrate to Voice over IP Solutions. Since that time, she’s led engineering teams that focused on collaboration deployments and now leads ANM’s collaboration innovation practice along with leads ANM’s Collaboration engineering team, both sales and execution. She’s currently focused on building new partnerships, nurturing existing partnerships, next gen collaboration solutions, UCaaS, CPaaS and ensuring both sales and engineering are positioned to help customers embrace these new technologies to be successful in the new way of Hybrid Workplace.
Adam Stoddard
Solutions Architect
Adam Stoddard is a seasoned IT professional who has dedicated the past decade to specializing in VoIP technologies and collaborative communications. As a Solutions Architect at ANM, he is committed to guiding customers through the complexities of modern collaboration. With a wealth of experience across various IT roles, Adam leverages his extensive knowledge to help customers harness technology for effective problem-solving. He holds multiple industry certifications and a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in communication.
Dennis Trop
Solutions Engineer – Cisco
Dennis Trop is an Engineer, Architect and Consultant with Cisco and has great passion for delivering impactful solutions to his customers. These solutions have been focused on Collaboration technologies over the last 15 years. He has a passion for Video and Room Designs, speaking at Cisco Live events and designing complex systems for customers. Cloud, Dev and AI have been his focus the last few years and he is excited for what the future can bring.
Microsoft
In today’s dynamic business landscape, organizations rely heavily on Microsoft 365 to enhance productivity, collaboration, and data management. This presentation series aims to empower attendees with insights in two critical aspects:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: An AI-powered assistant that revolutionizes how we work within Microsoft 365 apps, documents, and conversations. Copilot assists users by generating content, suggesting improvements, and streamlining tasks. We’ll explore its features, use cases, and best practices.
- Maximizing M365 Licensing: Organizations often struggle to optimize their M365 licenses. We’ll discuss strategies to extract maximum value from your licensing investment. From understanding license types to deploying them effectively, this segment will equip you with actionable steps.
Room: Roadrunner
Session 3
1:30pm – 2:20pm
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI tool that works within your existing workflow to boost your productivity. It uses advanced technology to help you write better, think more creatively, and get tasks done faster in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. In this session, we’ll explore how Copilot can supercharge your daily work.
Chris Hinch
Microsoft Practice Director
Chris has been working in the IT industry for close to 25 years and is an expert Microsoft strategist and a technical leader. Chris is passionate about helping customers achieve their business goals and solve their challenges with innovative solutions. He enjoys working with talented teams and collaborating with partners across the globe.
Session 4
2:30pm – 3:20pm
Maximizing your M365 Licenses
Explore how to maximize productivity with Microsoft 365 (M365) licenses. By consolidating licensing, simplifying management, and emphasizing security, organizations can achieve more while optimizing costs. Leveraging collaboration tools, automation, and user adoption strategies further enhances efficiency. M365 isn’t just software—it’s a catalyst for transformation. Let’s unlock its full potential together!
Chris Hinch
Microsoft Practice Director
Chris has been working in the IT industry for close to 25 years and is an expert Microsoft strategist and a technical leader. Chris is passionate about helping customers achieve their business goals and solve their challenges with innovative solutions. He enjoys working with talented teams and collaborating with partners across the globe.
Leadership Track
Room: Hummingbird
Session 1
10:00am – 10:50am
Modern Tech Navigation: A strategy primer for today’s most common IT challenges.
In this presentation, we provide essential insights into navigating many of today’s technology challenges with a focus on key topics including AI/Data Security Readiness, Cyber Resilience, Cloud Security, Modern Connectivity, and Observability. Intended as a primer for IT leaders, we will quickly cover each of these topics and their relevance in today’s IT strategy.
Vance Krier
CTO
Vance leads overall technology innovation at ANM, delivering superior client engagements through close collaboration with our pre sales, post sales and managed services engineering teams. He brings more than 25 years of technology experience to his role and holds the highest levels of industry certification and recognition from companies including Cisco, Microsoft and VMWare.
Session 2
11:00am – 11:50am
AI Organizational Readiness
In response to the increasing drive to elevate business operations, organizations are expressing a keen interest in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. However, the critical question remains: Are they adequately prepared for this transformative leap? Join us for an insightful discussion where we delve into essential considerations. Learn how to safeguard your organization’s data, assess risk levels, and effectively prepare for a successful AI deployment.
Chris Hinch
Microsoft Practice Director
Chris has been working in the IT industry for close to 25 years and is an expert Microsoft strategist and a technical leader. Chris is passionate about helping customers achieve their business goals and solve their challenges with innovative solutions. He enjoys working with talented teams and collaborating with partners across the globe.
Chris Hammer
Cybersecurity Solutions Architect
Chris Hammer is an accomplished Security Architect with over 20 years of experience working in Information Technology and Information Security. Starting out in 1999 working as a Desktop Technician for a large Utility he found his passion for security by being one of the lead engineers that helped develop their malware response team. In pursuit of being able to understand and apply security principles across the IT stack he went on to hold senior engineering roles not only in security but also networking, datacenter, and cloud technologies. Additionally, Chris has held senior management positions leading teams that designed and supported IT and Security Programs aligned to driving secure business outcomes.
Session 3
1:30pm – 2:20pm
Rationalizing your Security Tools
As the digital landscape evolves, organizations face an ever-growing array of cybersecurity tools. In this session, we delve into the complexities of today’s cyber tool sprawl. Whether you’re a cybersecurity leader or a practitioner, we explore practical strategies to optimize your existing security stack. Our focus? Outcome-Driven Metrics (ODMs)—the key to measuring and maximizing the effectiveness of your security investments.
Chris Hammer
Cybersecurity Solutions Architect
Chris Hammer is an accomplished Security Architect with over 20 years of experience working in Information Technology and Information Security. Starting out in 1999 working as a Desktop Technician for a large Utility he found his passion for security by being one of the lead engineers that helped develop their malware response team. In pursuit of being able to understand and apply security principles across the IT stack he went on to hold senior engineering roles not only in security but also networking, datacenter, and cloud technologies. Additionally, Chris has held senior management positions leading teams that designed and supported IT and Security Programs aligned to driving secure business outcomes.
Robert Ochoa
Director of Cybersecurity Sales
Robert Ochoa joined the ANM team in late 2023 after serving in various leadership, networking, and cybersecurity roles across a 25+ year career at Okta, Cisco Systems, Calence Insight Networking, 3Com Corporation, AT&T Bell Labs, International Network Services, and Motorola Inc. Most recently Robert led the U.S. Public Sector SLED West cybersecurity teams at Cisco and Okta.
Session 4
2:30pm – 3:20pm
Building the Modern SOC: Automation, Integration, & Managed Expertise
Traditional SOCs struggle to combat the speed and sophistication of modern cyberattacks. This talk explores how automation, seamless third-party integrations, and managed SOC offerings can transform your security operations.
Key Points:
- Why legacy SOC models fall short.
- The power of automation for faster threat response.
- Expanding security capabilities through strategic integrations.
- Evaluating the benefits of managed SOC solutions.
Justin Tibbs
CSO and VP of Security
A visionary leader at the intersection of cybersecurity and innovation, Justin is a seasoned expert in safeguarding digital ecosystems. As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at ANM, Justin drives the strategic direction of ANM’s cybersecurity strategy while ensuring robust security measures are in place to protect against evolving threats.
With 20+ years of experience in cybersecurity, Justin has honed a deep understanding of the intricacies of cyber defense, risk management, and compliance. His innovative approach to cybersecurity is rooted in a proactive mindset, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices to stay ahead of emerging threats. He believes in fostering a culture of security awareness and collaboration, empowering teams to be vigilant guardians of data integrity and confidentiality.
Modern Infrastructure
Room: Eagle
Session 1
10:00am – 10:50am
Better Together: Cisco and Nutanix
In this session, we conduct an in-depth review of the Cisco/Nutanix hybrid multicloud solution. The Nutanix Cloud Platform founded on its industry leading Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) framework, has achieved validation, certification and seamless integration with Cisco’s server infrastructure. This integration is poised to empower enterprises in expediting their hybrid multicloud endeavors.
Chad Olsen
Solutions Architect
Chad Olsen is an accomplished Solutions Architect with extensive experience spanning more than 20 years in the Information Technology field. His professional journey began in 1999, where he initially worked as a microcomputer specialist within the local government sector. However, he swiftly transitioned into a consulting role and joined a local integrator, where he provided technical services to a diverse clientele, including State, Local, Education, and healthcare organizations across New Mexico, Colorado, and West Texas. This consulting experience played a crucial role in augmenting Chad’s expertise as a data center solutions architect.
One of Chad’s standout qualities is his exceptional ability to comprehend business priorities and effectively align them with technical requirements and existing investments. This unique talent enables him to tackle complex challenges in the realm of Data Center and Cloud technologies. Through his comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, Chad is able to provide innovative and effective solutions that address intricate problems in these areas.
Terence Gibson
Solutions Engineer – Data Center – Cisco
Terence Gibson is an accomplished Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience in the IT field.
The last six years have been spent at Cisco, where he has been a trusted advisor and customer advocate.
Terence joined Cisco from the customer side, where he managed several data centers for a Fortune 500 company, specializing in private cloud, IaaS, PaaS, virtualization, and storage solutions.
Session 2
11:00am – 11:50am
SASE Deep Dive powered by ANM Technology Labs (ATL)
This is a technical session that will deep dive into Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) technologies, which is the unification of networking (SD-WAN) and cloud-delivered security (SSE) systems all in one solution. We will cover the technology architecture in depth and discuss where it makes sense to deploy this solution, as well as some lessons learned from the field. We will cap the session with a solution demonstration as we put the technology to work in ANM Technology Labs (ATL). Our focus will be Cisco SD-WAN and Zscaler SSE.
Matt Martinez
Director Networking Practice & Principal Architect
Matt Martinez is an IT and Cybersecurity professional who has 15 years of experience designing, deploying, troubleshooting, and optimizing critical systems. His background is heavy in consulting, with emphasis in large scale, multi-discipline projects such as infrastructure transformation, data center consolidation/migration, and security architecture. He has holistic expertise in network, security, and data center infrastructure technologies. Software-Defined Network technologies such as SD-WAN and Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure are some of his specialties, as well as security technologies such as Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and Security Services Edge (SSE).
Session 3
1:30pm – 2:20pm
Straight Talk on VMware by Broadcom
Are you confused by the recent changes to VMware’s licensing? We’re here to help. Join ANM data center experts as we break down the changes and how they impact your bottom line by ensuring you can navigate the new VMware landscape with confidence.
Chad Olsen
Solutions Architect
Chad Olsen is an accomplished Solutions Architect with extensive experience spanning more than 20 years in the Information Technology field. His professional journey began in 1999, where he initially worked as a microcomputer specialist within the local government sector. However, he swiftly transitioned into a consulting role and joined a local integrator, where he provided technical services to a diverse clientele, including State, Local, Education, and healthcare organizations across New Mexico, Colorado, and West Texas. This consulting experience played a crucial role in augmenting Chad’s expertise as a data center solutions architect.
One of Chad’s standout qualities is his exceptional ability to comprehend business priorities and effectively align them with technical requirements and existing investments. This unique talent enables him to tackle complex challenges in the realm of Data Center and Cloud technologies. Through his comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, Chad is able to provide innovative and effective solutions that address intricate problems in these areas.
David Abbott
Director – Data Center and Cloud
David is a highly skilled and accomplished data center and cloud architect, with an impressive tenure of over 23 years in Information Technology. Throughout his career, he has amassed extensive experience across various industries, including K-12 education, manufacturing, transportation services, and consulting services. David’s expertise encompasses a wide range of roles, including operations support, software development, infrastructure engineering, and architecture in hybrid data center environments.
As the Director of Data Center and Cloud at ANM he leverages his extensive experience to provide technical guidance and plays a pivotal role in defining the innovative technologies and solutions offered within ANM’s portfolio. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, he ensures that ANM remains equipped to meet the evolving demands of our clients. With a focus on delivering new efficiencies, simplifying architectures and operations while enhancing the security posture for our clients’ infrastructures. Furthermore, David actively drives the development of new service capabilities, ensuring that ANM continues to provide cutting-edge solutions to meet the unique needs of our clients’ businesses.
Session 4
2:30pm – 3:20pm
Meraki + Catalyst, Cloud Management
In this session, we’ll discuss Cisco & Meraki’s approach to the cloud management experience for your on-prem IT infrastructure. We’ll be discussing the journey to cloud management, how to prepare for site readiness and reviewing new products that are compatible with the cloud management journey, along with what’s to come in the future.
David Vigil
Solutions Architect
David has been in information technology for over 15 years, primarily focused on networking, security, and telecommunications. He has extensive experience with architecting, implementing and maintenance of enterprise IT systems. David joined ANM as a Solutions Architect to partner with clients to ensure technology serves the clients and not the other way around.
Clint Sorensen
Solutions Engineer – Cisco
Clint Sorensen is a Solutions Engineer with 20+ years of experience in the IT field. The last ten years have been at Cisco helping solve State and Local Governments, Education and Healthcare use cases and helping them transition to the cloud. Prior to Cisco, he managed various technical teams including collaboration, virtualization, IAM, automation and ITSM solutions.
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