Staff

Paul Bendel brings 40-years of association management experience to Tech Titans with a background in chamber of commerce work. In addition to the duties as Executive Director, Paul manages the teams that produce the Awards Gala, the Annual Golf Tournament, the quarterly Tech Industry Luncheon Series and the special interest forums. Prior to his career in chamber management, Paul was a news reporter and play-by-play announcer for several East Texas radio stations. Paul has completed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management and has earned the Certified Chamber Executive designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 
 

Bill Ballard brings more than 25 years of experience in all areas of executive and corporate leadership, business development, inventory and staff management, vendor relations, strategic planning, and implementation. He has 22+ years of experience as a Dallas-based small business owner and spent 3 years building a successful startup tech and service-oriented business. He and his wife Erin have four children:  William, Townes, Caroline and Louisa. Bill graduated from Trinity University and is a lifelong resident of the DFW area.

Jean Krone Bono is a former executive in corporate investor relations where she managed strategic communications with investors and analysts. 
Jean served in multiple education leadership roles. Her education involvement culminated in six years of service on the Board of Trustees for RISD.

Jean received a BBA from Baylor University and an MBA from the University of Texas in Austin.

Andrea Young joined Tech Titans in 2016. She manages the Tech Titans website and produces the Tech Titans Golf Tournament.  Andrea spent 16 years of her career as a software programmer, at Lennox International, and later at Thomson Reuters.

Jo Yezak is a Dallasite born and raised and received her certification in wedding and event management in 2003. She has over 20 years of experience planning both corporate and social events from 5 – 2,500 guests and enjoys all levels of the planning stages that it takes to put the perfect event together. Outside the office, Jo enjoys spending time with her husband Darrick, her son, Alex and their two (very active) Jack Russell Terriers McLaren and Shelby Eleanor.  She also enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends, dancing and finding a good classic film or documentary to watch!