21^st Annual RMIMA Conference

Thursday morning, October 20, 2005

Ritchie Center, University of Denver
Use the west entrance and take the elevator to the
Marion Gottesfeld Room in the tower.

Click here to be a conference sponsor

Colorado Technology
Success Stories

Rick E. Rokosz
Implementing New Technologies in Business: A Misguided Focus

Often IT organizations develop extensive plans and commit substantial resources to the latest and greatest sometimes unproven technologies with the belief that they will give their companies a competitive advantage, when in fact, there is more to be gained by focusing on process based innovative solutions.  This presentation will identify and discuss methods and techniques IT organizations can use to maximize productivity gains while managing to shrinking IT budget allocations.

Rick has had an extensive career in the aerospace industry where he has held numerous leadership positions in support of Engineering and the Information Technology disciplines. His current assignment has him serving as the Senior Manager of IT Strategy, Technology and Governance for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. in Denver, Colorado.

He is an Affiliate Professor of Business Management at Regis where he instructs undergraduate and graduate level courses in management and business operations. Rick has also served on the Regis University Alumni Board; he moderated the University’s Academic Council and is a Regent of the University.  (The Regents are a group whose focus is to map the future learning environment and communicate that to the university).

Rick is a decorated Viet Nam Veteran.  His military awards include the Bronze Star, the U. S. Army Commendation Medal and the Viet Nam Presidential Unit Citation. His education includes a B.S. in Business Administration from Regis College and a Masters of Science in Management Regis University.

J. Kevin Marlatt
We heard about it at our annual conference four years ago when it was a new idea and now we can see the results.  This Denver public high school has a 92% graduation rate with 85% going on to college, most of whom are the first in their family to go to college.  Enrolment is 75% minority.  This is one huge success in Colorado Education.  There is much more to this story than computers.

Matt Fangman
Matt is a Principal Technology Architect with Microsoft Desert Mountain District. He is focused on Microsoft Portal Technologies technology.  For the past 5 years, Matt has worked with hundreds of customers in the role of technical advisor as it relates to back-end infrastructure needs and challenges covering other areas involving Enterprise Integration, Business Process Management, and Enterprise Portals.

Prior to his current role as a Technology Specialist, Matt was a Senior Consultant for Microsoft Consulting Services where he was one of the development architects for several Front Range companies such as Great West Life, First Data Corporation, and Molson Coors.

John Heckers
There are lots and lots of technology opportunities in Colorado, but how do you get into the mainstream?  John Heckers will share the secrets of how to network without having to talk to people.

We all know that "networking" is the only way to find the truly great jobs, but what's a nerd or a geek to do?  If it seems that every time you open your mouth it's only to put a size 12 foot in it, and the thought of networking gives you the hives, you need to attend "Networking Without Actually Talking To a Real Person."

While not quite as effective as face-to-face networking, there are ways the painfully introverted IT folks can open doors and get many of the advantages of a good network, opening career and personal opportunities.

John Heckers is the nationally syndicated employment columnist for The Denver Business Journal, and has been an executive career coach specializing in Information Technology for more than 25 years. He has helped many IT folks find their optimal career path and maximize their earning potential.