Jeff Alexander
IT Pro Evangelist Windows Server System Microsoft Australia

Meet the man that consolidated the Australia and New Zealand data centers into a single Asia pacific Data Center in a project that reduced the number of Microsoft Data centers from 23 to only 4. Jeff Alexander started at Microsoft in August 1987 as a Support Professional focusing on management tools for Microsoft's Enterprise customers. Since then he has moved through several external facing roles before taking on one of the Worlds largest Server consolidations -Microsoft's Asia Pacific infrastructure. Jeff Alexander now focuses his passion for Infrastructure and management technologies as an Evangelist promoting and enabling the community of IT Professionals through vehicles as Technet events; blogging, the TechNet Web Site (Technet lounge), User Groups, MVP's, and online webcasts.

Judy Bamberger has 20 years' experience developing software, leading teams, teaching, and developing organisation-wide leaders. An independent consultant, she specializes in project management, process definition and improvement, quality techniques (e.g., formal inspections, metrics), team building, facilitation, and managing change.

Ms Bamberger began her professional career teaching maths in the public school system. She learned rapidly that effective communication was key to reaching each student individually, to enabling each student to tap her/his potential, and to keeping the administration happy.

Ms Bamberger then moved into computers and software engineering, where she performed numerous roles - customer interface, analyst, designer, implementer, tester, team manager. Almost nothing was an "individual" effort; all but the smallest tasks required teams - 3 people; 300 people; any size - and effective communication was the basis for high performing teams, high-quality products, and satisfied customers.

Ms Bamberger chose to specialise in the process, management, and inter-personal dimensions of the software engineering industry. In addition, she developed and taught an award-winning, graduate course that has the students apply basic quality tools in the contexts of a real team, project, and organisation.

Ms Bamberger came to the Australian National University in 2000, where she designed, developed, and delivered the Software Project Management unit. This unit had a significant component allocated to personal, inter-personal, and team concepts and skills - concepts and skills which industry values greatly, and Ms Bamberger's former students continue to put into practice.

Ms Bamberger provides workshops in the Capability Maturity Model (of which she is a key author), the Capability Maturity Model Integration, Personal Software Process, and numerous software engineering, management, and leadership subjects. She trains and coaches internal change agents in: basic quality tools, communication skills, managing change and resistance, effective improvement planning, and transition.

Jeremy Crooks is currently a leading HR Professional with IBM Australia. Jeremy first joined IBM in 1996 while finishing his Bachelor of Business Management Degree. After graduating in 1998, he has worked in various capacities including office services, procurement and software sales before establishing a long-term career in human resources. Some career highlights include his development and delivery of IBM's orientation programs and leadership of IBM's Registered Training Organisation.

Jeremy is married with 2 young children and spends most of his time working from his home office on the NSW Central Coast. He lives by the mantra - "take the opportunity now - and take it early".

Ian was previously Director, Strategic Market Development for Ernst & Young, Managing Director of two successful computer software and services companies, and a Director of a number of others. He has been awarded an Australian Design Award for software in 1987 and was made a Life Member of the Software and Services Industry Federation in 1989 for his services to the industry. He served continuously on Federal or State boards of IT trade bodies from 1981 to 1996 and was one of the Australian founders of ASOCIO (Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation). In 1993 he was awarded the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia - Microsoft Excel Award. In 1997 he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society for significant contributions to the Australian information technology industry. Ian is a UN approved International Trade consultant (UNCTAD/GATT), and is security cleared by the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and the Defence Department.

He is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and Fellow of the Australian Computer Society.

Cheryl is not a CIO in the traditional mould. She has worked in Federal Government since her initial secondment to work for the then Minister for Defence, the Hon. Kim Beazley, in 1984. A graduate of the Australian National University (ANU) prior to joining the public service, Cheryl spent seven years at the ANU working in the Research School of Pacific Studies and teaching Australian Politics to Undergraduates in the Faculty of Political Science. She was appointed to the Public Service Board in 1986 and at the abolition of the PSB in 1987, she transferred to DIMIA.

Today, in her role as DIMIA’s CIO, Cheryl enjoys the challenges of working in a global environment where issues such as the need for heightened security awareness mean that Australia’s border integrity has never been more critical. With her strong interest in supporting and leading change management with a technology focus, Cheryl sees the opportunities of living in an “on-line” 24 X 7 world as exciting for both the staff and clients of Government agencies.

Her vision is to deliver the best value IT&T solutions to assist DIMIA in fulfilling its mission: Australia, enriched through the entry and settlement of people; valuing its heritage, citizenship and cultural diversity; and recognising the special place of Indigenous people as its original inhabitants

DIMIA, as part of the original Federal Government Cluster 3 outsourcing deal signed in 1998, has been on a steep learning curve ever since about how to work with a major private sector partner. Cheryl Hannah has been part of the leadership team for the entire journey and likens the experience more to that of a roller coaster ride than a smooth sailing, but despite the bumps, exhilarating highs and despairing depths, she believes it is a journey worth making.

Cheryl leads the Business Solutions Group for DIMIA, comprising some 550 staff, about 50% of whom are contractors. DIMIA’s IT infrastructure was outsourced to the global IT company, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in 1998 as part of the Commonwealth's outsourcing policy.

The Business Solutions Group (BSG) has responsibility for delivering the IT&T strategic directions of the department. Under Cheryl’s leadership, the Group manages the contractual relationship with CSC and Optus, while continuing to supply in-house the maintenance and development of DIMIA’s business critical applications. BSG also supplies physical, protective and IT Security services to DIMIA and manages the provision of office services to the department under an outsourcing arrangement with Office Services Australia.

Staying the distance with an international multinational company which is in the process of turning itself into a global company has been just one of the challenges. In her session, Cheryl will be talking about DIMIA’s experience of relying on a Private Sector partner to deliver mission critical IT in a frontline Government Agency. She will take participants through some of the pivotal moments in her personal and professional quest to make a public-private IT partnership work, and then to make it work even better.

Brand is a Graduate of the University of Canberra where in 2001 he was recognised with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He has had a successful career in Government and Private Industry. In Government he was responsible for the design and development of the Department of Finance global communications network. As Director Technical Services at the Department of Finance he led the evaluation team which chose an Amdahl mainframe, the first ever IBM plug-compatible mainframe to be installed by a government agency. As Director Computer Services at the National Library of Australia he was responsible for the introduction of the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN) to all Australian libraries. In 1981 he left the Commonwealth Public service and joined Computer Sciences Australia (now CSC) and established their Commercial Services Division. In 1985 he and his wife Peta started TOWER Software.

Today, TOWER Software is a Canberra based Multi National ICT Company with its product, TRIM, installed in over 1000 sites in 32 countries. TRIM is an Electronic Document and Records management system that also includes imaging and workflow “out of the box”. In 2001, following a competitive international tender, TRIM was chosen to be installed on 400,000 desktop PCs for the US Navy and Marine Corps. TOWER is currently shipping 10,000 copies per month to the US Navy! In July 2001 Brand retired as Managing Director of TOWER Software to pursue his interests as investor and company director.

Brand is currently
• Founder and Director TOWER Software (and various overseas subsidiaries)
• Director of THIRI Pty Ltd
• Director NICTA (ICT Centre of Excellence)
• Member University of Canberra Council

Brand is also
• Chairman of the ICT SME Joint Industry/Government Working Party.
• Member ACT AICD Council
• Member Canberra Business Council Committee

TOWER SOFTWARE
• Established in 1985
• Software research and development company.
• Develops the TRIM Enterprise Content Management system.
• TRIM Certified against USA DoD 5015.2 standard.
• Profitable each year except first year.
• Dividends 12 out of last 13 years

NICTA
• Established 2003
• Now over 300 staff and 180 PhD students
• Medium to long term research in ICT
• Research Laboratories in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with offices and outreach in Adelaide and Perth.

Janelle Ireland has 5 years experience in graduate recruitment and is currently the Graduate Recruitment Coordinator at the Australian National University (ANU) Careers Centre.

The ANU Careers Centre provides a wide range of career and employment services for ANU students, recent graduates, and University faculties and schools.  The Centre also plays a pivotal role in building links between employers, students and the ANU community.

Dr Catherine Jaktman MACS PCP
Enterprise Architect ATO and ACS Canberra Branch Chair

Neil is a Partner in Accenture's Government practice, and currently has responsibility for the government heath market in Asia Pacific.

Neil began his career in the public sector, moving from clerical based work to programming early in his career, and at the same time completing a BSC in Computer Science and Mathematics at the Australian National University. This formed an excellent basis in terms of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the application of IT to the needs of Government. Whilst in the public sector, Neil worked in areas as diverse as public housing, financial management and revenue collection, human resource management, land management, communications strategy and IT strategy.

After over 10 years in the public sector, Neil joined Accenture as a senior consultant and was promoted to partner in 2001. During this time Neil has developed his career again in a range of industries, including defence, public works, public housing, social welfare, education and health. The focus throughout his career has been on the business value generated by the application of IT to the ever increasing demands of his client organisation's stakeholders a challenge that continues today.

Kimberley Pollock has over eight years experience in the careers field and for the past five years has been employed as a Careers Consultant at The Australian National University (ANU).

The ANU Careers Centre provides a wide range of career and employment services for ANU students, recent graduates, and University faculties and schools.  The Centre also plays a pivotal role in building links between employers, students and the ANU community.

Tony's career in information technology includes significant experience in developing strategies for the application and implementation of technology to a diverse range of business and government requirements.

In the investment industry, Tony has held the position of Director Information Services for one of Australia 's largest investment organisations and he has provided consulting services to major banking and insurance organisations.

Tony has also undertaken consulting assignments for a variety of organisations in the Legal, Revenue Collection, Financial, Regulatory, Manufacturing and Marketing sectors. In recognising how vital education is to the prosperity of the IT Industry, the ACT and Australia , Tony has collaborated with several universities and ACT Government bodies in formulating new education initiatives and policies.

In addition to his management experience, Tony has considerable technical expertise built up over his time in the information technology industry. His interest, both personal and professional, in new technology has led to involvement with various research and development projects.

At Wizard he is responsible for market development, including export markets. As well as assisting in the formulation of policy, he participates in the management of new business ventures, and oversees research and development.

Tony is a member of various organisations and committees involved in the promotion and development of the Australian IT industry, in the ACT, at a national level and internationally.  

Debbie Timmins is a remarkable woman who has made a substantial contribution to the IT profession around Australia.

When Debbie left school, she worked at Target for six years as a sales assistant before moving to Mitsubishi for 18 months to work on a production line building cruise controls and door trims. While she was with Mitsubishi, she saved and bought herself her first computer -- a purchase that changed her life.

She fell in love with technology, and began spending her spare time visiting IRC scripting channels and experimenting with programming. Within a short time, she realised that she wasn’t happy to keep learning about computers in her spare time – that she had finally found a career.

So at the age of 25, Debbie Timmins began her IT journey. She enrolled in a diploma in IT at TAFE, and studied full-time for two and a half years. She then went on to Flinders University and studied a Bachelor of IT, which she completed in 2004.

Just one year into her TAFE studies, Debbie decided to join the Australian Computer Society. Not one to do things by halves, she quickly found herself on the South Australian Branch Executive Committee as the student representative – a role she maintained until she graduated last year. During this time Debbie virtually single-handedly changed the face of the IT profession for young people not only in her home state, but throughout the country.

She has volunteered thousands of hours to organize events, workshops and networking sessions for young IT professionals in South Australia, to promote the IT profession at University open days, career expos and conferences, and last year, to organize the inaugural National ACS Bootcamp – an intensive three-day live-in event for students and graduates from around Australia to help them secure a job and prepare for the workforce.
She is a founding member of the ACS Young IT Professional (YIT) Committee, and this year, when the Committee was officially endorsed as a Board, she became Vice Board Director.

Luciana is a professional lifestyle designer and renovator. As a graduate of the internationally acclaimed life coach university, Coach U, Luciana specialises in work/life balance coaching and personal and business organising.  Luciana's organisation, Life with Balance is Canberra's number one decluttering and organising business and has featured on FM 104.7's workplace takeover, The Canberra Times, Citynews and Artsound FM.  

Luciana is also a presenter and facilitator for workshops and retreats around work/life balance and personal organisation, both in Canberra and in Batemans Bay.