News
The good, bad and ugly of video conferencing
The mute button is your friend. Oh the stories of virtual misadventure….a minister accidentally unmutes his virtual congregation to hear pub-level chit chat instead of contemplative silence. The fireworks of a Candy Crush victory just as you respond to your manager. The peek inside the private homes of colleagues and celebrities. Yes, clothing is important. On a serious note, there have been reports of “Zoom-bombing,” where uninvited guests hack their way into your meeting and disrupt things. Zoom has
SBA/federal help that you can begin today
With the passage of the CARES act, our local Small Business Administration representative has outlined bullet-pointed details to help you understand what it could mean to your business. Though information is in flux, you can take action today to receive benefits this month. Paycheck Protection Program (nothing has been determined. This is possible parameters)Paycheck Protection Program, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has the authority to provide 100% federally backed loans through December 31,
Coronavirus Response Measure signed, details
from North Texas Commission, D.C.-based lobbyist, Thorn Run Partners. COVID-19 Alert: President Signs ‘Phase III’ Coronavirus Response MeasureBill clears by voice voteDeal includes funding for small businesses, health care needs, and direct payment relief.Speaker Pelosi emphasizes need for ‘Phase IV’ legislationYesterday, House lawmakers passed a sweeping $2.3 trillion economic stimulus package (section-by-section) aimed at bolstering the response efforts and stemming the negative impacts of the novel
A message of support during trying time
Watch a video expressing support from Tech Titans President Bill Sproull.Dear members, *Understand that I have confidence in you as we go through this period of uncertainty.*You are not alone. You have a network of supportive leaders in Tech Titans, and we'll get through this together.*Watch for options to connect virtually in the coming weeks, including the Tech Industry Lunch on April 17. *Email and let me know how you're doing. I sincerely want to know. If you are a small business, you are eligible
A message from Tech Titans president about the coronavirus
Tech Titans is a professional connections organization in many respects through our events and networking. However, the health and safety of our members, staff and community is always a top priority. The coronavirus crisis presents a challenge to us all. Our hearts go out to those nearby and around the world who are affected by the virus. Like you, we are closely monitoring developments. Some of our scheduled events have been cancelled to accommodate our speakers and venue hosts. We hope to maintain
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UT Dallas' new engineering/CS dean talks industry's influence at Tech Industry Lunch
By Kim Horner, UTD Universities need greater involvement from industry to teach future engineers the skills they will need to tackle challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and providing food and clean water to a growing global population. That was the sentiment expressed by Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, dean of The University of Texas at Dallas’ Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, to an audience of North Texas technology leaders at a recent luncheon. “There are no clearly
Get to know the 2020 Tech Titans Executive Committee
Tech Titans’ executive committee is staffed by eight outstanding but diverse professionals in their field. Some are returning to the executive committee, while some are new. Besides Chair Amy Wheelus (AT&T), welcome Lisa Frey (State Farm), Vance McCollough (Moss Adams), Tad McIntosh (HumCap), Andrew Olowu (Axxess), Deborah Sawyer (ZRG Partners), Marianne Strobel (Nokia) and Barbara Baffer (Ericsson). Read a short bio on each.Chairman -- Amy Wheelus, VP – Cloud & D2 Platform & Integration, AT&TAmy Wheelus
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Chair Amy Wheelus values connections
An old slogan of AT&T was “reach out and touch someone.” A lot has changed since the ‘80s, but Amy Wheelus still embodies that metaphor. The Tech Titans board chair places high value on connections, both professionally and personally. Amy joined AT&T in 1990 after graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in industrial engineering. She currently is vice president of the Broadband and Video Systems group. “My badge has always said AT&T,” she said proudly, significant in an age of
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New members February
Thank you to the Tech Titans members who either joined or renewed their memberships in February. Our members are the lifeline of our organization and serve to make us stronger and more successful. We hope you will join us in welcoming these new members, doing business with them and referring other members to the Tech Titans organization. New Members Champion's Circle ABIAPlanohttp://abiainc.com Cellhire USA LLCRichardsonhttp://www.cellhire.com Networkers
Awards given in Tech Titans STEM video contest for high/middle schoolers
A reception to honor the winners of a high school middle school STEM video contest was held at sponsor State Farm’s CityLine on Feb. 13. The goal of the contest is to inspire both students who create the videos and other, often younger students, who will view the videos. At the same time, the videos provide professionals and educators compelling content to share with students about the benefits of choosing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) track as they are educating themselves for a future
Tech Titans awards nominations open
The 2019 Tech Titans Awards are now open to the public for submissions. The prestigious annual contest recognizes outstanding technology companies and individuals in North Texas who have made contributions during the past year locally, as well as to the technology industry overall. Award categories include: Community Hero AwardCorporate CEO Award Corporate CIO AwardCorporate CTO Award Corporate Innovation AwardEmerging Company CEO Award Emerging Company
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Tech Titans board targets innovation, continued STEM outreach, expanded connection opportunities
The 2020 Tech Titans board has been busy since last year when they came together to brainstorm creative ideas for the coming year. After collaboration and discussion during the last few months, a set of goals has been approved. “I am excited about the contagious energy I feel in our membership already this year,” said Chair Amy Wheelus from AT&T. “We have subcommittees working on creating an emotional attachment to our organization and have already established a new forum targeting emerging growth
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New members January 2020
Thank you to the Tech Titans members who either joined or renewed their memberships in January. Our members are the lifeline of our organization and serve to make us stronger and more successful. We hope you will join us in welcoming these new members, doing business with them and referring other members to the Tech Titans organization. New Members Champion's Circle Launch Consulting GroupPlanohttp://www.launchcg.com CodeupDallashttp://www.codeup.com HypergiantDallas MST
Championing the STEM cause: Lisa Frey, State Farm
By Melinda Guravich Corporate champions play a critical role in the success of Tech Titans’ STEM initiative by making the effort visible to others, creating connections to volunteers and getting executives to buy-in within their organizations. The Tech Titans corporate champion at State Farm is Agile Coach Lisa Frey. The company has been an active partner since 2014, when Lisa led the relocation of the IT team to Richardson from corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois.“The dark horse of
Sproull named to Governor’s Broadband Development Council
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Tech Titans President and CEO Bill Sproull, to the Governor’s Broadband Development Council for terms set to expire August 2024. The council was created following the 2019 state legislative session to advise the legislature about steps needed to improve Internet access in rural areas. The council will be made up of two Texas-based representatives each from Internet service provider associations, unaffiliated nonprofit organizations that have “a demonstrated history of
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New members January
Thank you to the Tech Titans members who either joined or renewed their memberships in November and December. Our members are the lifeline of our organization and serve to make us stronger and more successful. We hope you will join us in welcoming these new members, doing business with them and referring other members to the Tech Titans organization. New Members Champion's Circle IntuitPlanohttp://intuit.com E4D TechnologiesRichardsonhttp://www.e4d.com GIACT Systems,
Robotics tourney coming to N. Texas, volunteers needed
Volunteers needed to support middle- and high-school competitions Teen-agers around the world are proving how cool robotics can be in the VEX Robotics Competition. In North Texas, volunteers are needed to judge and support regional and state competitions this spring. The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by Tech Titans member Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, presents an engineering challenge in the form of a game. Classroom STEM concepts are put to the test and, in addition
Podcast: Blockchain technology at the edge of traditional banking
If you missed the September Tech Titans Blockchain Forum presentation at the Fed, you can now watch it online or through the Tech Titans podcast. Important blockchain developments affecting traditional banking have been occurring outside of public view. This Tech Titans Forum discusses how blockchain is being used to send payments globally and to streamline interbank processes for syndicated loans. We'll also learn about central bank currencies and the integration of digital currencies into traditional
Barbara Tunstall joins Tech Titans member services team
Barbara Tunstall has joined the Tech Titans member services team as sales consultant. Now a full-time staff member, this long-time volunteer for Tech Titans has been involved with the Analytics & Insights Forum, the Golf Committee and worked on development of STEM curriculum for area ISDs. Barbara has worked with start-ups and small, medium and Fortune 500 enterprises throughout the United States. Her professional experience includes client-centric roles in technology (Impiger Technologies), academia
Podcast: DFARS & NIST, mandated cybersecurity for defense projects takes stringent turn
Regan Edens, a long-time administrator and consultant for DoD cybersecurity protection, talks through the strict compliance mandates that will be enforced starting Jan. 1, 2020, and ways for you to use the Agile method to analyze your cyber compliance health, and get your organization into the gym before the feds TELL you to get into shape! Visit the episode https://www.buzzsprout.com/273592/2120229-dfars-nist-cybersecurity-compliance-for-defense-contractors-and-subs
Tech Titans Live! Expo and Trade Show
Companies will showcase leading-edge equipment, software and solutions for technology companies at a trade show and networking event Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson. Throughout the Live! Expo, each specific Tech Titans®’ special interest forum will host a technical presentation featuring subject matter experts and panels sharing valuable insights about technology topics including perspectives about future impacts, innovative use cases
2019 Tech Titans award winners
Tech Titans celebrates North Texas' best and brightest at annual awards gala 14 companies, organizations and individuals honored for significant contributions to their industries DALLAS – Aug. 23, 2019 – Tech Titans, the largest technology trade organization in Texas, recognized outstanding technology companies and individuals in the North Texas area who have made significant contributions to their industries at its annual awards gala at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West on Friday, Aug. 23.
Tech Titans Hall of Fame inductee announced
Digital telecom giant Jim Donald selected as 2014 inductee to Tech Titans Hall of Fame James (Jim) Lee Donald has been selected as The Metroplex Technology Business Council’s 2014 inductee to the MTBC Tech Titans Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes a technology visionary from the DFW Metroplex for outstanding leadership in assisting, advancing and accelerating the performance of the technology industry and/or adoption of technology in North Texas. These accomplishments must span more than one decade and
