2007 Speaker Biographies

The FierceMarkets IMS Executive Summit features experts, pioneers, and players leading the charge towards truly converged IP. Check back for more updates.

Ari Banerjee, Program Manager , Yankee Group
Ari Banerjee is a program manager in Yankee Group’s Enabling Technologies Service Provider group with an expertise in telecom software solutions. Banerjee examines the breadth of software used by communications service providers in customer, business and infrastructure management. His area of focus includes all aspects of OSS and BSS software. Banerjee also covers issues related to the areas of IMS architecture and communications infrastructure software applications. Prior to joining Yankee Group, Banerjee worked for the billing and customer care division at Lucent Technologies.  As a technical consultant, Banerjee worked extensively with both domestic and international carriers on various software deployments, including billing, invoicing, online customer care, order management, provisioning, inventory, billing operations and troubleshooting solutions. He holds an M.B.A. from University of Glasgow Business School, an M.S. in computer information systems from Bentley College, and a B.E. in electronics and communication from Manipal Institute of Technology. Register today.

Dan Bantukul, Director of Product Management, Tekelec
Dan Bantukul has more than 20 years of telecommunications experience. In his current position as director of product management, Bantukul is responsible for defining and managing the IMS core network evolution for Tekelec. In this capacity, he helps defines the roadmap as well as features and functions based upon industry and customer requirements. Bantukul has extensive knowledge in control signaling as well as Intelligent Network services in fixed and mobile telecommunication networks. Bantukul graduated with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Register today.

Eyal Bartfeld, Co-founder and Executive Vice President, Strategy, Integra5
With extensive experience in advanced technologies such as messaging and electronic video processing, Dr. Bartfeld co-founded Integra5 in 1999 to develop interactive messaging services and new applications for television consumers. He has established the strategy and the basic technology for the company, and has also managed the company's R&D team, bringing an in-depth knowledge of the technical and business aspects of unified messaging, telephony and Internet-based services to his role at Integra5. Before starting Integra5, Bartfeld founded UniTel, and conducted research at Rockefeller University in New York, together with IBM Thomas Watson Research Center and the Weizmann Institute. The research focused on understanding how the eye and brain process and understand pictures, with results published in the Proceedings of the American National Academy of Science. Register today.

Nicole Bogard, Director, Unified Assurance Product Marketing, Americas, Tektronix, Inc.
As Director of Product Marketing for the Unified Assurance product line, Bogard is responsible for strategic market planning for carriers in North and South America. Prior to joining Tektronix, she held several product marketing and solutions consulting positions with legacy Class 4/5 manufacturers and next-generation VoIP equipment manufacturers. Bogard has more than 12 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, with the last 8 focused on working with carriers to evolve their legacy voice and data networks toward converged IP networks for delivery of enhanced VoIP services. Starting as a product manager of media gateways and soft switches at Unisphere Networks, she moved into solutions consulting at Siemens to assist Tier 1 carriers with the execution of converged network architectures and applications into production networks. Areas of focus included developing tactical network evolution strategies for evolving networks (PSTN to VoIP to IMS), ensuring operational readiness of networks for quality service delivery, implementing network monitoring solutions for network and service assurance, and collaborating with marketing organizations on converged services/applications roadmaps. Register today.

Alain Brazeau, Vice President, Product Management, BelAir Networks
As Vice President of Product Management for BelAir Networks, Brazeau has global responsibility for the company's product roadmap and P&L. He brings to this role over 20 years experience in Product Management, Business Development and R&D within the Telecommunications Industry. Prior to joining BelAir Networks, Brazeau held senior management positions with Meriton Networks, Alcatel and Newbridge. He has led Product Management and R&D teams for Optical and Fixed Wireless system development and has managed development teams of ATM, voice, data and Frame Relay products. He is the author of three issued patents in Video Processing, LAN Switching and Optical Switching with two pending in optical systems. Register today.

David Bukovsky, Vice President, Products, BroadSoft Inc.
As Vice President of Products, Bukovsky is responsible for global product management and channel solutions operations, including all BroadWorks platform applications, such as hosted PBX, mobile PBX and residential broadband services delivered by telecom and cable providers. His duties include managing product requirements, competitiveness and pricing, and educating customers, sales teams and channels. Prior to BroadSoft, Bukovsky was at Cisco Systems, where he became a pioneer in service provider softswitch and SIP applications and led Cisco's efforts to help cable providers Time Warner and Comcast build their voice subscriber customer base. Before joining Cisco, he held management positions in engineering, operations, technology planning, marketing and program management for Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) and worked as an engineer at IBM. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech. Register today.

Paul Callahan, Vice President of Business Development, Airvana Inc.
Paul is vice president of business development and responsible for acquisition at Airvana, Inc., a leading supplier of mobile broadband infrastructure. Prior to joining Airvana, he co-founded AutoCell Labs, a cognitive radio software startup with applications for over 100 wireless patents. Prior to AutoCell, Paul managed strategic investments at Nortel Networks, ran mergers and acquisitions for Bay Networks, directed research teams at Forrester Research, and managed technology marketing at Digital Equipment. Paul is co-inventor on numerous patents in optical switching and wireless. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Register today.

John Celentano, President, Skyline Marketing Group
Celentano has over 30 years experience in the telecommunications industry. His background is a unique blend of telephone operating company and equipment manufacturing environments in a variety of engineering, marketing, sales and management positions: he has worked in systems engineering and management at Bell Canada, in product marketing at Nortel Networks, and in custom research and consulting at Northern Business Information/Gartner Group. In 1990 he founded Skyline Marketing Group to focus on public network infrastructure market research and consulting. Skyline Marketing Group publishes the CapEx Report, an authoritative source that tracks quarterly capital spending among 75 wireline and wireless carriers in the U.S. Celentano holds a degree in electrical engineering from McMaster University, has studied marketing at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a graduate of the Bell System Center for Technical Education. Register today.

Fred Cerequas, Technical Chair, IMS Forum
Cerequas is a Senior Systems Engineer at Mu Security driving the complex deployment and integration of VoIP, IMS and Security analysis at leading service provider and cable operator customers. He is a 20 year veteran of the telecommunications industry and previously led the East Coast Systems engineering efforts for Ixia. Prior to Ixia, he worked with Agilent, GN NetTest and RADComm. He is a graduate of the Stevens Institute of Technology. Cerequas is also a Technical Chair at the IMS Forum. Register today.

Rob Day, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Customer Operations, BridgePort Networks
Day is Senior Vice President of World Wide Customer Operations responsible for the worldwide sales and customer operations for BridgePort Networks. He brings more than 15 years of consulting, business development, and solutions creation expertise in telecommunications. Prior to joining BridgePort Networks, he was Director for Professional Services at Openwave Systems, where he was responsible for services solutions sales, customer deployments, and creation of innovative value added services for wireless carriers, MVNOs, and broadband carriers around the world. Day has also held management positions at Affinity Internet and IBM Global Services. Day is a former systems engineer for the USAF space shuttle program and holds an M.B.A. in Management Information Systems from California State University and a B.S. in Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. Register today.

Stuart Elby, Vice President, Network Architecture, Verizon
Dr. Elby is responsible for setting Verizon Telecomm and Verizon Business' network architecture vision encompassing broadband access, optical transport, fast packet and Ethernet switching, IP/MPLS routing, and emerging voice over IP and video technologies. He is also responsible for defining service specific architectures to support product line marketing, specifying network element requirements, coordinating Verizon’s Standards activities, and leading collaborative R&D activities with universities and industry partners. Prior to joining Verizon, Elby was a Research Associate at the National Science Foundation's Center for Telecommunications Research at Columbia University, Manager of Technology in a laser surgery start-up, and a staff engineer at StorageTek. Elby holds a BS in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester, as well as a MSEE, M.Phil, and Ph.D. from Columbia University. Register today.

Graham Ellis, Program Manager, Convergence Marketing, Nokia Siemens Networks
Graham Ellis is Program Manager, Convergence Marketing for Nokia Siemens Networks, responsible for marketing convergence solutions and products, within North America. He is a 27-year veteran of the telecommunications industry with experience in both wireless and fixed networks in North America and Asia Pacific region.  Since joining Nokia, in 1995, Graham has held various sales and marketing roles including global positions as Director of Marketing for Broadband Systems and Director of Product Management for Broadband Access.  Prior to joining Nokia Graham worked for both Telecom New Zealand and Clear Communications NZ Ltd in various engineering roles. Graham was involved in the digitization and expansion of the Telecom NZ network and was also responsible for the deployment of Clear Communications nation wide enterprise access network. Register today.

Jim Grams, Chief Technology Officer, Azaire Networks
Grams is Chief Technology Officer of Azaire Networks with 25 years experience in software, networks, and technology development and executive management. Before joining Azaire, Grams was Senior Vice President and CTO for Multimedia Services at Cingular Wireless where he focused on the identification and evaluation of emerging technologies for a new generation of services that capitalize on modern mobility networks, such as GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, WiFi, HSDPA and Wideband CDMA. He has a Masters of Science in Computer and Information Sciences from The Ohio State University and a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from the University of Vermont. Register today.

Arun Handa, CTO, IntelliNet Technologies
With more than 15 years of experience in the wireless industry, Handa spearheads IntelliNet's IMS products strategy and has been instrumental in delivering complex network elements for wireless, mobility, location and messaging applications. He has held various engineering and management positions with IntelliNet, Motorola and the Indian Department of Defense R&D. Handa holds a BS and MS from the University of Allahabad, India. Register today.

Kristin Harris, Industry Relations, UNH InterOperability Lab
Harris is responsible for Industry Relations at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL) and currently acts as the Vice-Chair of Marketing, Education, and Awareness for the MultiService Forum (MSF). She works extensively with several standards bodies and industry organizations to provide testing services that facilitate the development and adoption of new technologies. Harris also developed the Summer Internship Initiative for the UNH-IOL and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at UNH in order to more effectively engage high school students in networking technology younger ages. She is actively involved with on-going efforts at the IEEE dedicated to bringing better engineering and computer science curriculum to public education systems around the world. Register today.

Joe Hogan, Chief Technology Officer, Openet
Hogan is the CTO, Founder and board member of Openet. He has over 20 years software engineering experience from his years with Openet, Retix Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc. Hogan was a senior architect with Sun's European kernel development centre before leaving to found Openet. He is the principal architect of Openet's Fusionworks, ActiveCharge and ActiveRate frameworks and is responsible for Openet's engineering group and CTO technology office. He represents the company in the IETF, 3GPP, IPDR.org and GBA forums and frequently speaks and chairs billing mediation, IMS and prepaid conferences throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Register today.

Andy Huckridge, Director of IMS Solutions Marketing, Spirent Communications
Huckridge leads Spirent's IMS strategy for the VoIP market. His responsibilities include business planning & market development. Huckridge has worked in the communications industry for 12 years including roles at Centile, Inc., and 8x8, Inc., where he was Director of Product Marketing, and has a broad background in defining and marketing products in the Semiconductor and IP Telephony space. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Surrey, England. Andy is active in various Forums including the Multi-Service Forum, where he is Chairperson of the Interoperability Working Group. Register today.

Mark Kaish, Vice President of Voice Development and Support, Cox Communications Inc.
Kaish provides leadership for the future development, deployment and support of Cox Digital Telephone initiatives. He also works with engineering, marketing and operations to oversee the company's overall voice strategy and the integration of voice product features across all Cox products. Prior to joining Cox, Kaish served as Vice President of Next Generation Solutions for BellSouth Corp. Kaish holds bachelor's degrees in Economics and Public Policy Studies from Duke University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. Before entering the communications industry, Kaish served four years as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy. Register today.

Michael Kende, Principle Consultant, Analysys Consulting
Michael Kende is a Principal Consultant at Analysys Consulting and Head of its US office. Michael has a PhD in Economics from MIT, and previously worked at the Federal Communications Commission as Director of Internet Policy Analysis, Office of Plans and Policy. His areas of expertise include economics, broadband, merger policy, and IP interconnection. Recently Michael has undertaken a project for an East-Asian regulator to review its mobile interconnection framework, which include assessing the impact of fixed–mobile convergence. In addition, he has recently presented to the European Commission on the subject of IP voice and associated convergent services. Register today.

Kevin Klett, Vice President of Product Management, Acme Packet
Klett joined Acme Packet from Lucent Technologies where he served as assistant vice president of Corporate Systems Engineering for the company's OPENet Division. At Lucent, he created and directed a global corporate systems engineering team to support sales of the company's Softswitch Solutions and the former Excel programmable converged service platforms. Klett joined Excel Switching in 1995 (acquired by Lucent in 1999) and served in systems engineering, engineering project management, protocol development, and support management. His background in engineering management, technical sales support, customer service, and product management — coupled with his understanding of converged network solutions, signaling, and telephony — brings a broad range of experience to Acme Packet. Klett holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications from the University of Connecticut. Register today.

Steve Laabs, IMS Strategic Accounts Manager, Agilent Technologies
Laabs has worked in the computing and telecom software industry for 12 years. He has been with Agilent Technologies for 8 years focused on signaling monitoring solutions for Telecom Service Providers to address service monitoring, troubleshooting and inter-carrier billing. Laabs has been engaged in the marketing, deployment, and ongoing development of service assurance systems for several of the major Voice over IP deployments carried out in the United States over the last four years. He is focused on strategic direction of Agilent Technologies' Next Generation Network IP assurance solutions addressing VoIP, IMS, and IPTV services. Prior to joining Agilent, he worked for companies in the OSS and the test and measurement fields. Before entering the telecommunications field, Laabs spent six years in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy. Register today.

Grant Lenahan, Vice President, Service Delivery Solutions, Telcordia
Lenahan is responsible for defining product and market strategies. As part of these responsibilities, he leads the specification of Telcordia's next-generation of OSS, service platforms and technologies that will enable wireless and cable operators to offer content-rich, IP-based and converged networks. Lenahan's experience includes 20 years with Telcordia Technologies, working in such diverse areas as Generic Requirements, transmission engineering, video services design, economic analysis and operational analysis of new communications technologies/services. Lenahan is also the author of numerous papers in the areas of Next Generation Networking (NGN), wireless services, and the impact that advanced services will have on the business models and economics of fixed and mobile operators. Prior to joining Bellcore in 1984, Lenahan worked for GTE Lenkurt, Inc., GTE's transmission equipment manufacturing arm. He received his B.A. in Economics and Mathematics (Computer Science) from Drew University and a joint Master's Degree from the School of Engineering and the Sloan School of Management from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Register today.

Stan Little, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, IP Unity Glenayre
Little is responsible for all Marketing and Business Development activities including product marketing, marketing communications, product management and systems engineering as well as developing new partners and strategic alliances. He has been in the telecommunications industry for more than 21 years marketing software applications to tier one communications carriers and has held key positions in new product development and product management, strategic alliances, business development, and sales management. Little was most recently the Senior Vice President of Operations at Glenayre Messaging, and previously Vice President of Consumer Solutions at Sylantro Systems Corporation, a leading supplier of VoIP applications software. Additionally, he has worked for such notable firms as Hewlett Packard, Pacific Telesis, Octel Communications, and Lucent Technologies. Little earned a BS in electrical engineering from Duke University, MS in electrical engineering from Purdue University and MBA in marketing and finance from the University of California, Berkeley. Register today.

Michael Logan, Group Manager, VoIP Convergence Development Team, Sprint Nextel
Logan has participated in every major packet voice initiative undertaken by Sprint Nextel since joining the company in 1997. He led the deployment team for the ION Service Manager, now recognized by the Smithsonian as the nation's first fully converged voice-data telecommunications service, and led the design team for Sprint's Next Generation Voice Network which now supports over 2 million VoIP customers nationwide. Logan currently serves as the group manager of Sprint's VoIP Convergence Development Team, and is responsible for the evolution of Sprint's core network to IMS and conversion of all internal Sprint voice traffic to packet. Prior to joining Sprint, Logan served as Technology Director for the Air Force's Wright Avionics Lab in the fields of multi-sensor fusion and real-time intelligence to the cockpit. He holds a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University and a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Register today.

Ian Maclean, Senior Director, Product Management, Mavenir Systems
Maclean is currently Sr. Director of Product Management at Mavenir Systems, an innovator in providing convergence solutions for global mobile operators. He joined Mavenir Systems in January 2007 and has 15 years experience in the industry, including 4 years developing and marketing new solutions in Europe and Asia. Maclean served in various GSM R&D and Operations roles from 1993 to 1998, before moving into a GSM/UMTS Product Management leadership position at Nortel. He is widely recognized within wireless data for his experience and innovation, where he holds multiple patents. Register today.

Sue Marek, Editor-in-Chief, FierceWireless, (Event Co-Chair)
Marek, previously executive editor at Wireless Week, serves as Editor-in-Chief of FierceWireless, the flagship publication of parent company, FierceMarkets. Marek also heads FierceMarkets' Telecom & Digital Media Group of publications, including FierceDeveloper, FierceWiFi, FierceVoIP, FierceIPTV, FierceGameBiz and FierceMobileContent. Register today.

Cyril Matthews, Vice President, Marketing, IntelePeer
Matthews leads the core product group at IntelePeer (formerly VoEX Inc.) and is a veteran telecommunications executive. Matthews has worked in positions including Product and Marketing Management and Business Development for a variety of network infrastructure, database, OSS/BSS and service provider companies. He led the marketing launch of the first Number Portability service bureau and supported the first mobile phones with integrated internet access. Additionally, Matthews has been an active participant in global groups promoting VoIP technology as well as being a well-known industry speaker. Register today.

Deborah McAdams, Senior Editor, FierceMarkets
McAdams is a trade journalist based in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. For the last decade, she has covered the digital television transition—the largest nonmilitary industrial mandate in the nation's history—from its effect on the economy in a small community to its ongoing legislative evolution and the resulting impact on people’s lives. She has been interviewed on CNN and C-Span, and she enjoys the distinction of being quoted by Harry Shearer on his radio show. Her published work ranges from award-winning personal essays and features to coverage of national legislation and emerging technology. She is the author of “The Grain Way,” a history of Nebraska grain elevators and their owners. Register today.

Kevin McDunn, FMC Portfolio & Solutions, Mobile Devices Business, Motorola, Inc.
Kevin McDunn is the Director of FMC Portfolio & Solutions for Motorola's Mobile Devices Business. He is responsible for building the range of dual-mode devices that deliver converged experiences in conjunction with applications, access points, network infrastructure and other elements from Motorola and 3rd party partners. During his eighteen years at Motorola, Kevin has served in business strategy roles supporting the launch of internal start-ups and commercializing Motorola's technology portfolio through licensing and venturing programs. He has also managed applied research and product development in Motorola's Networks business. Kevin is an accomplished inventor, holding seventeen U.S.patents.He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Chicago, a Masters in Management from Lancaster University (U.K.), an IMPM diploma from INSEAD (France), and a Certificate in Advanced Technology Licensing from NTTC-Wheeling, WV. Register today.

Jim McEachern, Board of Directors, MultiService Forum and Carrier VoIP Standards Specialist, Nortel
McEachern is the Vice President of the MultiService Forum (MSF) and a member of the Board of Directors. He also serves on the MSF editorial board. At Nortel, he is responsible for defining Carrier VoIP standards strategy. For the past 25 years he has been active in network and product planning, with experience covering Optical networking, high-speed access (DSL, cable, and fiber), wireless, operations, VoIP, Data Networking, and Service Management. He has extensive experience working with North American and international operators, and for two years led Nortel’s European Network Planning team. He holds three patents in Optical Networking. Register today.

Ronan McLaughlin, Director of IMS Solutions & Portfolio Management, Ericsson Inc.
McLaughlin has over 9 years experience in the IP communications field spanning both fixed and mobile network technologies. He has been with Ericsson since 1998 and currently leads end-to-end IMS business development and solution creation initiatives within Ericsson's Systems Integration and Multimedia Solutions Unit in North America. His responsibilities are to drive the evolution of an IMS ecosystem supporting media-rich services in multi-access and convergent network scenarios. Prior to this role McLaughlin has held a number of positions in the IP networking field in Ericsson USA, Canada, Sweden and Ireland. McLaughlin holds a Batchelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Electronic Engineering from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. Register today.

Dave McNierney, Vice President, Market Development, Highdeal
McNierney is responsible for Highdeal's market strategy and development. With over 15 years experience in the telecommunications industry, McNierney brings in-depth insight into emerging service provider business models and network innovations. Most recently, he has focused on next-generation convergence architectures such as IMS & SDP and their impact on existing infrastructure. Prior to Highdeal, McNierney held senior product management positions at several infrastructure vendors and, as an industry consultant with Accenture and TMNG, served leading Tier One operators throughout the Americas and EMEA. McNierney holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Fairfield University, an M.S. in Computer Science from Pace University and an M.B.A. from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Register today.

Sanjay Mewada, Vice President, Strategy, NetCracker
Mewada's responsibilities include overseeing the strategic direction of the company and managing the company's partnership program. Prior to NetCracker, he was Vice President of the Telecom Software Strategies (TSS) Decision Service at Yankee Group. There, he managed research and programs to improve communications service providers' business results. Specifically, he helped clients make decisions regarding the use of business and operations support systems (BOSS) software and services. Before joining Yankee Group, Mewada worked at MCI, Intelsat and the World Bank in product management and technology evaluation functions. He holds a B.S. degree in physics and an MBA from Bombay University and a master's degree in international business from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Register today.

Edward K. Moran, Director of Product Innovation, TMT Convergence Leader, Deloitte Services LP
Moran advises TMT companies in the areas of strategic planning, product innovation, competitive positioning, and digital Convergence for Deloitte. He leads the Convergence team in Tri-State, which develops Deloitte points of view on digital Convergence and products that permit clients to exploit Convergence, Community, Social Networking and Web 2.0 tools. In addition to leading the New York Technology Fast 50 program, and being a leader in the Tri-State Venture Capital Practice, Moran also works closely with Deloitte Research in developing publications and podcasts for the Technology, Media and Telecommunications sectors. Prior to Deloitte, Moran was managing partner of a Manhattan law firm, where he served a number of technology and entertainment clients. He was also a managing director of a Manhattan investment and advisory company specializing in technology and media investments. Moran holds a law degree from New York Law School and earned an MBA in information systems and in management from New York University. Register today.

Keith Nissen, Principal Analyst, In-Stat
Nissen has over 25 years experience in the telecommunications industry covering both domestic and international markets. He has held progressively senior management positions in business development, marketing and product management at global equipment suppliers and service providers including AT&T, GTE and Qwest Communications. Nissen has over 10 years experience in market intelligence and as an expert consultant in international telecom markets. Currently, he is a Principal Analyst with In-Stat, a global market research firm. His research is focused on next-generation business and consumer carrier network services and NGN migration. Nissen manages the IMS and FMC research service. He holds a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and a MBA from Western Illinois University. Register today.

Dan O'Shea, Editor-in-Chief, FierceTelecom, (Event Co-Chair)
Dan O'Shea joined FierceMarkets in July 2007 and serves as editor in chief of FierceTelecom. He previously was editor in chief of Telephony magazine. Dan has been a professional journalist for almost 20 years, primarily as an editor and writer covering the telecommunications industry from technology, business and strategy perspectives. In just the last decade, he was won multiple awards for his reporting and writing, and has guided the award-winning efforts of broader editorial staffs. Also, he has frequently hosted online audio and video interviews, podcasts and webinars, and has moderated panel sessions at industry trade shows and conferences. He began his career working for semi-weekly newspapers in the Chicago area, covering business, politics, crime, education and sports, and still resides in Chicago. Register today.

Bruce Perlmutter, Product Manager, IMS Solutions, Sonus Networks
Perlmutter is the product manager of IMS solutions at Sonus Networks. He has over 20 years of networking and telecommunications experience at both large equipment manufactures such as Nortel, Lucent, and Motorola as well as NGN startups. Perlmutter is the author of the Prentice Hall book, VPNS: A View from the Trenches, and texts on wireless and wireline networking infrastructure. He has a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Boston University. Register today.

John Plishker, Director, Senior Sales Consultant, Revenue Management , Amdocs
Plishker is responsible for communicating the business benefits of Amdocs' revenue management solutions to leading North American wireless and wireline operators. John has built a successful track record in consulting service providers on how best to integrate revenue management solutions into an existing network, with a focus on mediation, IMS and online charging opportunities. He joined Amdocs with the XACCT Technologies acquisition, which was completed by December 2003. Prior to XAACT, he was a project manager at Accecenture, where he began working with servicer providers in the communications and high technology market. He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and a master's degree in Information Systems from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Register today.

Scott Poretsky, Director of Carrier Network Engineering, Reef Point Systems
Poretsky is a telecommunications industry-recognized authority on next-generation carrier network performance-, quality assurance- and security-testing who regularly participates in standards committees and the public speaking circuit. He is the Chairperson of the IMS Forum's Technical Group, IETF Benchmarking Methodology Working Group Member and Standards Author; an IEEE Senior Member, Speaker and Session Chair for the IEEE's Communications Quality and Reliability (CQR) Conference and at the Annual Worldwide IETF Conference. In the IETF's Benchmarking Methodology Working Group, he is a coauthor of industry standards for SIP Performance, IGP Convergence, DiffServ and MPLS Fast Reroute Failover Benchmarking. Prior to Reef Point, Poretsky was Manager of Development Test at Avici Systems, where he validated routing and MPLS solutions for deployment in high availability core networks. He also held communications engineering positions at General DataComm and Raytheon Company. Poretsky has an MSEE from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and BSEE from the University of Vermont and has been awarded a patent for networking technology. Register today.

P.K. Prasanna, Partner, Global Business Services, Communication Sector, IBM
Prasanna has more than twenty years experience in the networking industry and is responsible for developing and executing convergence strategies for service providers. He has expertise in convergence and IMS, ranging from corporate and product strategy and development. Prasanna has also developed and implemented corporate and product strategies for wireless data products as well as designed and implemented wireless data protocols to support service level management, capacity utilization and content-based billing. Prior to IBM, Prasanna was president at Flash Networks, a wireless start-up. Previously, he spent 15 years at AT&T in several divisions, initiating and growing new businesses worldwide. He earned a master's degree in computer engineering M.S.C.E from Widener University, Pennsylvania and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School. Register today.

Sridhar Ramachandran, CTO and Founder, NexTone
Ramachandran co-founded NexTone Communications in February of 1998 and serves as the company's CTO. He brings to the company a wealth of technical and business background in the telecom and datacom industry. Prior to NexTone, Ramachandran held executive and professional positions at large corporations and entrepreneurial startups. He worked at GE Spacenet, Bay Networks and Hughes Network Systems before he founded NexTone Communications. Ramachandran earned his Bachelors in Technology in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai (Madras), India. He has a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Register today.

Ken Rehbehn, Industry Analyst , Rehbehn Research
As a former Research Director for Current Analysis' Telecom Infrastructure practice, Rehbehn is responsible for guiding research that addresses the equipment market targeting network service providers — fixed and mobile. The analysts in his practice examine the equipment that makes the networks work. His team tracks competitors in broadband, routing, switching, optical, and wireless infrastructure markets. Prior to joining Current Analysis, Rehbehn served as Director of Product Management at Megisto Systems — a startup equipment vendor producing next generation data gateway solutions for GSM and UMTS networks. Rehbehn started his career as a software developer at Sprint, working on X.25 network management products. Register today.

Vikram Saksena, CTO, Sonus Networks
Prior to his appointment as Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Saksena was Sonus' Chief Scientist where he was responsible for Sonus' advanced technology direction, guiding the future development of Sonus' wireless solutions, and increasing Sonus' technical focus on external audiences and government agencies. Dr. Saksena has over twenty years of experience in the telecom and cable market in senior technology positions. Prior to Sonus, he spent 16 years at AT&T building their data network services, software and network infrastructure for Frame Relay, ATM, and IP. He became an AT&T Fellow and Chief Technologist of the Data Networking Business Unit responsible for service and technology innovations around IP Quality of Service, Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS), and Voice over IP. After AT&T, he served as the CTO and VP of Engineering of two start-up companies, MaxComm Technologies and Narad Networks, focused on developing next generation technologies for the DSL and cable markets. Dr. Saksena has published over 100 papers and has been awarded over 15 patents. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE. Register today.

Narothum Saxena, Senior Director of Advanced Technology and Systems Planning , US Cellular
About 20 years of experience in the Telecom and Wireless Industry. Currently, at US Cellular as Senior Director of Advanced Technology and Systems Planning. Prior to U.S. Cellular®, co-founded Cambia Networks, a wireless data infrastructure company. As a R&D manager at 3COM, led the development efforts of CDMA 2G IWF and 2.5/3G data products. Prior to 3COM/US Robotics, was a scientist at Indian Space Research Organization. Narothum has a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Register today.

Bharat Shah, Senior Director of Technical Marketing, QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies
Shah's responsibilities include identifying opportunities in IMS, technology and business development, CDMA2000/UMTS technology, network equipment vendor relationships, speech codec technology solutions and test services. Shah joined QUALCOMM in July 1998. Before coming to QUALCOMM, he worked for numerous leading companies within the wireless industry, holding positions where his responsibilities included strategy, planning, and development of CDMA standards, features, and services. Shah holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from M.S. University of Baroda, India, and a Master of Science in Computer Science from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Register today.

Akshay Sharma, Research Director, Carrier Network Infrastructure, Converged Infrastructure, Gartner Dataquest
Sharma has an extensive background in telecom: with WiFi, 3G UMTS, GSM, ISDN, GR-303, V5.2, VoDSL and Packetcable. He has over 17 years experience in telecom where he has held multiple leading vendor and carrier positions. Sharma was instrumental in Siemens putting together the UMTS, IMS solution with Cingular, and was awarded an "Outstanding Contribution Award" for work on Alcatel's Spatial Softswitch, Tekelec's Media Gateway, and Cisco's GGSN switch, as the Siemens Chief Architect for the Core UMTS 3G project. Sharma has held a CTO position for a firm with FMC technology: prototype dual mode GSM/WiFi phones, SIP App Servers, and the patent on seamless session continuity. Register today.

Laurie Spiegel, VP for Global Solutions, Operational Support Systems, Telecordia
Laurie Spiegel is VP for Global Solutions, Operational Support Systems, providing leadership and direction to all efforts involving Telcordia’s GS OSS product line. In this role, using her first-hand experience in carrier new technology deployment, Spiegel has characterized the product line through white papers, sales collateral material, and RFP responses, developed pricing models, and has influenced product strategy. Spiegel’s broad experience spans network-related financial modeling, installed first cost development and business process costing. She has helped many clients quantify the impacts of changes in business direction on future capital, expense and revenue financial requirements. Spiegel’s background in network planning, combined with her experience in competitive analysis, activity-based costing, process reengineering, and telecommunications accounting, enables clients to successfully move their strategies from the planning stage to the implementation stage. Register today.

Jay Stewart, Director of IMS/FMC Solutions, JDSU Communications Test & Measurement
Leveraging his 22-year history in the IP industry, Stewart's contributions ensure JDSU test solutions address the critical architecture needs that impact VoIP, IPTV, and other IP based services across broadband accesses. Specializing in IMS and FMC, Stewart oversees the development of JDSU access technology products along with the NetComplete portfolio of triple and quad play test and service assurance solutions for advanced IP broadband-based voice, video, data and wireless services. Prior to this role, he has held positions at Wavetek Wandel Golterman, Acterna and JDSU, including serving as Director of VoIP Service Assurance Solutions and Director of Engineering. Stewart holds a bachelors degree in Computer Science from East Carolina University. Register today.

Charles Studt, Director of Product Management, VoEX
Studt has successfully launched, managed and grown complex software products and communications services in both VoIP and legacy network domains. At VOEXTM, Studt leads product development strategy for ENUM and advanced VoIP applications. In addition, he serves as a board member of the SPIDER Registry ENUM peering community. Register today.

Hemi Thaker, President and CEO, Anue Systems
Thaker is a successful entrepreneur, technologist and leader. He has founded four companies, including Sybarus, which was sold to Lucent Technologies in 1999. Thaker has led technology development teams at several companies, including Fujitsu NTS, Nortel Networks, and Agere Systems. He has seven patents granted and six patents pending. In 2002 he co-founded Anue Systems - recently named #116 on the Inc. 500 - where he currently serves as President and CEO. Register today.

Tom Valovic, Program Director, VoIP Infrastructure , IDC
Valovic manages the worldwide VoIP Infrastructure program and is responsible for planning, developing, and publishing IDC's primary research in this area. He also is responsible for IDC's research in emerging IMS core technologies. He has written hundreds of articles on telecommunications, data communications, and the Internet for publications such as the Boston Globe and Internet Week. He has been quoted extensively in the general business press, including the Wall Street Journal and has appeared on CNN. Valovic is the author of the "telecommunications" entry in Collier's Encyclopedia and has authored two books, Corporate Networks: The Strategic Use of Telecommunications and Digital Mythologies. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Boston University. Register today.

Jeremy Vance, Technology Lead, Network Practice, Accenture
Vance is a technology lead and Senior Manager for the Accenture Network practice within the firm's Communications & High Tech industry group. He has more than 10 years of experience building and operationalizing a wide variety of voice and data networks and services for communications service providers, large enterprises, and government agencies. Prior to joining Accenture, Vance spent several years with a professional engineering services firm and served as an officer in the US Army. He received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. Register today.

Ricky Watts, Senior Director, Core Networks Product Management, Motorola
Watts and his team are responsible for building and delivering Motorola Core Network solutions, including all switching and applications. The team is responsible for the business P & L for the core product lines. Watts joined Motorola in 1995 as a Senior RF engineer in India. He then worked with Motorola as an Advanced Network Development Engineer in Hong Kong and China with responsibility for the development of a six-sector GSM system in China and a dense urban program in Hong Kong. Subsequently, he supported Motorola customers in Italy and Greece before moving to South Africa as an NSO Manager, running Motorola’s engineering services and development group. Prior to joining Motorola, Watts spent 15 years working for British Telecom in a range of engineering and planning roles, based in the UK. Register today.

Mark Wuthnow, Lead Member of Technical Staff, Cingular Wireless (now the new AT&T)
Wuthnow has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 20 years, beginning his career at AT&T (now Alcatel-Lucent) Bell Laboratories before moving to SBC (now AT&T). Wuthnow joined Cingular Wireless (now the new AT&T) when it was formed as a joint venture between SBC and BellSouth. He has been involved in the cellular industry since its early days counting among his first projects the introduction of SS7 and MAP signaling into the wireless network. His career has primarily focused on investigating and specifying leading edge technologies which has also included participation in several standards bodies groups. He has been at the forefront of new technology introduction in SBC/Cingular/AT&T network ranging form the first introduction of digital signaling to now the introduction of IMS. Wuthnow received his BSEE and MSEE from the University of Texas at El Paso and holds 8 patents. Register today.