Guest Speakers
Tom Wallace
I have been a technology entrepreneur - or, as my father always said, “never had a real job” - since I started my first company at the age of 23. I have been starting, growing, and building businesses ever since. I have had some wonderful successes, some strikeouts, and some that fell in between. I figure, along the way, that I have learned much more from my failures than from my successes. I have been fortunate enough to work with some extremely talented people. I believe business is all about putting together the right team, setting goals, staying focused, being fanatical about customer service and then rigorously executing your plan. That’s how we work at here at RedVector.
A little bit more about my background: I spent two years on Microsoft's Partner Advisory Council, which was a great experience. At that time I believe Microsoft was arguably the best-run large company in the world, and this is coming from someone who is not exactly an admirer of big companies. I have also served as a judge for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and have been nominated twice myself. I find it interesting that while I never won this award, they felt I was qualified to judge it. I am also co-founder and former president of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), and presently serve on its Board of Directors.
I am very active in the technology community in Florida and believe that growing our technology base is vital to our future and to our children’s future. I have a long association with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, and have served on its Board of Directors for over 10 years. I am also a past Trustee of the University of Tampa.
Barry Shevlin
Barry Shevlin is a serial entrepreneur and accomplished software developer. Through the course of his career, he successfully founded and grew five companies in technology sectors that included CATV contracting, telecommunications, software and networking sales. As chief executive officer of Network Liquidators, he has driven the company’s annual revenues to greater than $50 million in less than seven years.
Shevlin’s vision and talent for capitalizing on emerging business trends was the impetus behind the launch of Network Liquidators. In 2002, he began developing a technology-based solution that has enabled Network Liquidators to become one of the fastest growing and most efficient companies in its industry segment. Today, the company leverages this technology as the backbone of its sales and marketing operations, supporting more than 8,000 customers worldwide. Mr. Shevlin was named the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year by Gulf Coast Business Review and was named 2008 CEO of the Year in the technology category by Tampa Bay CEO and was a finalist for the award in 2007.
Barry is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), CEO Council of Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum.
Shawna Vercher
Shawna Vercher is CEO of VTi-Group, a web media company that focuses on viral publicity and social media strategy for mid-sized companies and global brands. Ms. Vercher is considered to be a pioneer of her industry, combining a solid foundation of leading technology, new media tools and traditional marketing concepts.
Ms. Vercher has worked with a number of leading personalities and brands including President Barack Obama, McDonalds, Home Depot, Level 3, Governor Jeb Bush, United States Department of Homeland Security and the National Football League to name a few.
A nationally-syndicated writer and featured columnist, Ms. Vercher has spoken to thousands of business executives across the country about the impact of social media, technology trends, women in business and the economic impact of media transparency.
Mary Key
Entrepreneur, author and leadership consultant, Mary Key has been involved in helping leaders and organizations grow for 20 years. She helped Inc. Magazine set up CEO Roundtables through its Inc. Eagles program and currently works with some of the best technology companies and their CEOs in the Tampa Bay area. Key received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and belongs to the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, Leadership Florida and was a finalist for Business Woman of the Year in 2007. For more information please visit: www.keyassociatesinc.com.
David Weiss
As CEO, David brings a wealth of industry expertise to Numara Software. Formerly the President of Blue Ocean Software, David grew that company into the leading IT help desk asset management software provider for SMBs. Prior to Blue Ocean, David was the VP of Marketing at Citrix, where he helped lead the business from $15 million in revenue in 1995 to over $600 million in 2001. A graduate of Duke University, he holds bachelors' degrees in computer science and economics and is a member of the Tampa Bay CEO Council and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum.
Brent Britton
Brent is a noted Intellectual property lawyer and radio personality. He was influential in establishing the legal framework that ushered in the late 20th century Internet boom in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, California.
He is now a shareholder and firmwide head of the Emerging Business and Technology practice group at the Tampa, Florida, office of GrayRobinson, P.A. He is a recognized expert in laws relating to virtual worlds and online communities, including virtual crime. He is often quoted, teaches, and publishes, on developments in law and entrepreneurship in the fields of technology law, science, and art.
More Speakers will be added. Check this page for updates.