Tejaswi Katta is a Lead Software Engineer with over a decade of experience transforming critical systems in the aviation and federal sectors. Currently at Southwest Airlines, Tejaswi specializes in modernizing enterprise architecture through innovative integration solutions using TIBCO technologies, Kafka event streaming, and microservices.
As a technical leader, Tejaswi has orchestrated the modernization of booking and supply chain systems, implementing solutions that automate reservations, optimize inventory tracking, and ensure real-time data exchange. Their work has significantly reduced operational downtime while establishing frameworks for scalable growth.
Prior to Southwest Airlines, Tejaswi contributed to National Institute of Health Business Systems, where they developed integration frameworks for asset tracking, financial management, and travel expense systems that aligned with federal compliance requirements.
Throughout their career, Tejaswi has demonstrated exceptional prowess in navigating complex integration challenges, particularly in implementing secure data exchange protocols and optimizing performance across legacy systems. Their implementation of AI-powered chatbots at Southwest Airlines exemplifies their forward-thinking approach, enabling 24/7 customer support and streamlining flight status inquiries while substantially reducing the need for manual intervention.
Tejaswi holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering from Stratford University and maintains an impressive portfolio of professional certifications including MuleSoft Certified Integration Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Engineer, and Certified Kubernetes Administrator.
With expertise spanning system design, event-driven architecture, and performance optimization, Tejaswi excels at bridging technical solutions with business objectives while mentoring junior engineers and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Tejaswi Katta is a Lead Software Engineer with over a decade of experience transforming critical systems in the aviation and federal sectors. Currently at Southwest Airlines, Tejaswi specializes in modernizing enterprise architecture through innovati... Show more

I am a US Navy Veteran and leading Reputation Management and Social Selling thought leader who is the
architect of the official state websites of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, which are powered by Microsoft SharePoint technologies. I served a key technical advisory role in the successful re-election campaign of a US governor.

I am the author of the Microsoft Thought Leader Blueprint, published by Apress.

I am the leader of the longest-running Microsoft training and User group community in Maryland and
host of Community Days Baltimore, an annual one-day conference which is currently in its 18th year

I specialize in high-visibility, public-facing consulting engagements with a key focus on information and platform architecture on-premises to cloud migrations, enterprise social media, governance, instructional systems design, and information worker training.

I am a graduate of Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Business program and serve as program Ambassador.

I am a US Navy Veteran and leading Reputation Management and Social Selling thought leader who is the architect of the official state websites of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, which are powered by Microsoft SharePoint technologies. I serve... Show more

Geospatial expert, data scientist - PhD student.

Geospatial expert, data scientist - PhD student. Show more

Paul is the Founder and CEO of Carbon Six Digital and Rubber Cheese. He is an Umbraco veteran of 14 years and somewhat of a lapsed developer. He likes to think outside the box, often coming up with creative technical solutions that clients didn’t know were possible. Paul oversees business development and people management at Rubber Cheese and Carbon Six but in his heart just wants to solve problems with tech.

Paul is the Founder and CEO of Carbon Six Digital and Rubber Cheese. He is an Umbraco veteran of 14 years and somewhat of a lapsed developer. He likes to think outside the box, often coming up with creative technical solutions that clients didn’t kn... Show more

Hi, I’m Priya Vardhini Mohan, a passionate and results-driven System Architect with over 14 years of experience in the Modern Workplace space, specializing in Microsoft 365, Azure, and Microsoft Copilot. I’ve had the privilege of working with enterprise clients across EMEA and APAC, helping them transform their digital workplaces with cutting-edge cloud and AI solutions.

My journey has taken me through a variety of roles—from technical consulting and pre-sales to leading complex cloud migrations and enabling Copilot across environments like Teams, Power BI, SharePoint, and Outlook. I’ve been deeply involved in the early phases of Copilot pilot programs, designing custom copilots, integrating them with Azure OpenAI, and driving adoption through training, governance, and secure implementation.

I’m currently based in London, working with iSquare Tech Solutions, where I focus on building scalable, secure, and intelligent solutions for clients navigating their M365 and Copilot journey. Whether it's Exchange migrations, Intune policy design, Defender configurations, or Power Platform automation, I enjoy working closely with stakeholders to architect solutions that not only work—but elevate user productivity and security.

My certifications include Microsoft Copilot Expert, Security Ninja Training, MS-900, AZ-900, and SC-900, among others. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with incredible organizations like AirAsia, TRX Malaysia, and several educational institutions across Singapore and Malaysia, delivering value through digital transformation initiatives.

Beyond the tech, I love sharing knowledge—whether through live demos, training sessions, or writing on my Medium blog. I'm always open to conversations around AI, productivity, security, and how we can create meaningful impact with technology.

Hi, I’m Priya Vardhini Mohan, a passionate and results-driven System Architect with over 14 years of experience in the Modern Workplace space, specializing in Microsoft 365, Azure, and Microsoft Copilot. I’ve had the privilege of working with enterpr... Show more

Charutha Bandara has built his professional journey through steady effort, careful thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility. Over more than a decade, he developed his career by working directly with real systems and real challenges, allowing experience to shape his decisions. His progress reflects patience and consistency, with growth emerging from hands-on work rather than shortcuts. This approach has guided his movement from technical roles into leadership and entrepreneurial responsibilities.

In the early part of his career, Charutha demonstrated a strong interest in understanding how complex systems operate in practical settings. Software engineering became the foundation for this interest, offering a structured way to approach real-world problems. Charutha D. Bandara worked across different technical environments, learning how to adapt while maintaining reliability and clarity. These early experiences helped him develop discipline, attention to detail, and an appreciation for clear communication when working with others.

As his experience grew, he began taking on responsibilities beyond direct development tasks. Bandara contributed to planning, system design, and long-term decision-making, which required a broader perspective. This shift encouraged him to think about sustainability, usability, and long-term impact rather than only immediate results. Balancing technical execution with thoughtful planning became a key part of his professional growth.

Over time, he moved into senior and executive-level roles, leading teams and managing priorities. These positions required steady judgment, accountability, and the ability to make clear decisions under pressure. His leadership style remained grounded in firsthand technical experience, helping him stay realistic and approachable. He emphasized preparation, consistency, and follow-through, building trust through actions rather than authority.

After many years in technology-focused roles, Charutha reached a point where he could pursue work more closely aligned with his personal interests. Motorcycles had long been an essential part of his life, offering balance outside professional responsibilities. Riding and maintaining performance machines reinforced values he already practiced in his work, including precision, patience, and respect for tools and process.

This personal interest eventually intersected with his professional background. Bandara recognized the importance of careful motorcycle transportation and applied his technical and operational mindset to help shape a service built around responsibility and experience. Systems were thoughtfully designed, and service standards reflected an understanding of what riders value when they trust others with their machines. Growth followed through reliability and consistency rather than speed.

Outside of professional work, Charutha D. Bandara maintains a creative interest in photography, focusing mainly on landscapes and automotive subjects. This outlet supports observation and balance, complementing his technical discipline. Across engineering, leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative pursuits, Charutha Bandara continues to focus on steady improvement, clear thinking, and work shaped by experience, care, and long-term commitment.

Charutha Bandara has built his professional journey through steady effort, careful thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility. Over more than a decade, he developed his career by working directly with real systems and real challenges, allowing ex... Show more

Corporate Digital Architecture Leader, Work as Solution Architect at different companies; now Financial Latam Group, in past IBM Global Business Services, Oracle & EDS (HPe now DXC) in Colombia. Agile Coach, Mentor & Design Thinking practitioner.

Has experience in developing & deploying distributed solutions, including APIs strategy, API Economy adoption (ecosystems & platform), Cloud, Omnichannel, Microservices, SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) & Front End technologies (Ionic, Bootstrap, Angular, etc.), applying Agile & Design Thinking techniques to align IT solutions to customer needs.

Corporate Digital Architecture Leader, Work as Solution Architect at different companies; now Financial Latam Group, in past IBM Global Business Services, Oracle & EDS (HPe now DXC) in Colombia. Agile Coach, Mentor & Design Thinking practitioner. ... Show more

Karthik Govardhanan is affiliated with Boston University and has spent over 14 years building and scaling AI-powered search and discovery systems across large-scale retail and e-commerce platforms. His work spans search relevance, personalization, SEO, and conversational commerce, with a strong focus on applying large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, and semantic search in production environments.

Karthik Govardhanan is affiliated with Boston University and has spent over 14 years building and scaling AI-powered search and discovery systems across large-scale retail and e-commerce platforms. His work spans search relevance, personalization, SE... Show more

Jen Fisher currently serves as the Assistant Vice President, Project Implementation and Support. In this role, Jen delivers leadership and implementation support for key organizational and strategic initiatives such as the College’s Strategic Plan. Jen’s experience includes creative problem-solving, facilitation, skills-based training, and strategic planning. Prior to her current role, Jen served as the Assistant Vice President of Employee Benefits at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana beginning in 2013.
Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Jen worked in the Human Resources field in the transportation industry with Republic Airways and Vanguard Services, Inc. Jen has a Bachelors of Arts from Purdue University and a Masters of Business Administration from Butler University. She is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, a SHRM Certified Professional, a certified CliftonStrengths Coach, and Change Management Practitioner.

Jen Fisher currently serves as the Assistant Vice President, Project Implementation and Support. In this role, Jen delivers leadership and implementation support for key organizational and strategic initiatives such as the College’s Strategic Plan. ... Show more

Victor Getz is really passionate about platform engineering and surfing. He likes to show things as they are, whether good or bad, from his projects.

As the Co-Founder & CTO of iits-consulting and has been active in software development for over 10 years. As a CTO & cloud architect, he has created a multitude of cloud architectures in recent years with petabytes of data or millions of daily users.

Victor Getz is really passionate about platform engineering and surfing. He likes to show things as they are, whether good or bad, from his projects. As the Co-Founder & CTO of iits-consulting and has been active in software development for over ... Show more

Mike Ullrich ist Managing Consultant bei der Objektkultur. Neben den 13 Jahren Erfahrungen im Projektgeschäft mit Microsoft Cloud Technologien zieht er seine Erfahrung aus 9 Jahren in einem KI-Start-Up, aus der Gründung und Skalierung eines eigenen Unternehmens. Sein Fokus ist Dynamics 365 Customer Experience, Power Platform und Copilot Studio.

Mike Ullrich ist Managing Consultant bei der Objektkultur. Neben den 13 Jahren Erfahrungen im Projektgeschäft mit Microsoft Cloud Technologien zieht er seine Erfahrung aus 9 Jahren in einem KI-Start-Up, aus der Gründung und Skalierung eines eigenen U... Show more

An engineering student at Model Engineering College and a Co-Founder of Flink. I am passionate about exploring the intersection of emerging technologies and business solutions. My work focuses on building secure, efficient systems and helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of AI and automation.

An engineering student at Model Engineering College and a Co-Founder of Flink. I am passionate about exploring the intersection of emerging technologies and business solutions. My work focuses on building secure, efficient systems and helping organiz... Show more

Thomas McCorry devoted 20 years of his professional career to Constellation Brands, a global producer of some of the most recognized beer, wine, and spirits brands, including Corona, Modelo, Meomi, Robert Mondavi, Casa Noble, Mi Campo, and Svedka. During his tenure, he progressed through a variety of senior financial leadership positions, gaining extensive experience in accounting and controls, operational finance, controllership, business partnership, strategy, and overall financial management. His work consistently produced strong results, supported by expertise in strategic and financial planning, risk management, financial controls, process improvement, mentoring, US GAAP accounting, cost optimization, valuations, modeling, and revenue management.

He joined the company in 2004 as a Director and was later promoted to Vice President of Global Accounting. In that role, he oversaw the global consolidated accounting close for the $3.6 billion publicly traded business, reducing the close process by eight days while enhancing reporting quality and strengthening internal controls. He developed global cash flow reporting processes, shortened preparation time by 10 days, and streamlined multi-currency statement consolidation. His responsibilities included conducting in-depth accounting research on complex transactions, leading purchase price allocations for billion-dollar acquisitions, creating global accounting policies, centralizing intercompany transactions, and ensuring compliance with US GAAP for both domestic and international operations. He also played a key role in the design and implementation of a new global ERP system.

In 2012, he became Vice President of FP&A – Wine & Spirits, directing strategic and annual planning for a $2.7 billion U.S. business. Two years later, as Vice President of Commercial Finance – Wine & Spirits, he centralized $150 million in non-price investments, introduced zero-based budgeting, improved forecasting processes, and implemented financial metrics that connected sales performance with company objectives. He restructured the sales finance function into a shared services model, enabling both growth and acquisitions without adding headcount.

He went on to serve as Chief Audit Executive and Senior Vice President & Controller before returning to the Wine & Spirits Division as Senior Vice President & CFO. There, he redefined strategy following a $1 billion divestiture, reduced $100 million in stranded fixed costs, and built a pricing execution team that improved price realization by 500%. From 2021 to late 2023, he served as Senior Vice President & CFO of the Beer Division, an $8 billion revenue business, where he reduced planned capital spending by $1.5 billion, enhanced governance, increased margins, and launched a multi-year cost efficiency plan.

Before joining the company, he spent seven years in public accounting at major firms. In 2024, he became Managing Consultant at Pinnacle Growth Strategies, helping organizations strengthen financial performance, manage risk, and achieve sustainable growth. He serves on several boards, funds scholarships, and volunteers in his community. A graduate of SUNY Geneseo, he is a CPA and completed an executive program at Dartmouth College. Originally from Brooklyn, he is married with two children and enjoys running, traveling, and time at the beach. Thomas McCorry continues to apply his experience to guide organizations toward long-term success.

Thomas McCorry devoted 20 years of his professional career to Constellation Brands, a global producer of some of the most recognized beer, wine, and spirits brands, including Corona, Modelo, Meomi, Robert Mondavi, Casa Noble, Mi Campo, and Svedka. Du... Show more

Currently Senior Data Scientist for Smart Container Analytics at Hapag-Lloyd, previously responsible as Product Owner for building the central Hapag-Lloyd Data Lake. Working in the Data and Analytics field for over 10 years, focusing on (data) product development, data science, and big data.

Currently Senior Data Scientist for Smart Container Analytics at Hapag-Lloyd, previously responsible as Product Owner for building the central Hapag-Lloyd Data Lake. Working in the Data and Analytics field for over 10 years, focusing on (data) produc... Show more

Michael Quantrell is a seasoned yacht Captain with more than 20 years of experience in yacht engineering, estate management, and high-level marine operations. His career includes managing multimillion-dollar refits, leading diverse crews, and overseeing complex logistics for private vessels. Michael is known for calm leadership, strong technical knowledge, and sound judgment in demanding conditions, including operating through major weather events such as Category 4 Hurricane Irma in Florida during the 2017 season.

Growing up in Camden, Maine, Michael developed a deep connection to the water and competitive sport at an early age. His youth was divided between sailing and ski racing, both of which demanded discipline and precision. He earned three medals at the Junior Olympics in the Laser Class Division, including bronze and silver finishes. These early achievements reinforced his work ethic, competitive mindset, and respect for preparation and teamwork.

Michael continued racing into adulthood, competing in professional sailing programs throughout New Zealand, New England, and England. Ski racing remained a vital pursuit, with over ten years spent competing in organized night races in Maine. While living in Florida, he won all three qualifiers and two finals in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge series. These experiences strengthened his adaptability, endurance, and ability to perform consistently in changing environments.

Since the age of 18, Michael has built his professional life as a yacht Captain, managing vessels ranging from 20 to 120 feet and captaining yachts up to 112 feet. His experience includes extensive cruising and deliveries throughout Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the eastern United States. He has overseen major refit projects, balancing mechanical upgrades, aesthetics, safety compliance, and financial accountability.

For nearly 5 years, Michael Quantrell has owned and operated Ox Eye Marine Corporation, providing full-service vessel management for yachts ranging from 40 to 112 feet. His responsibilities include crew placement, system analysis, refits, deliveries, overseas shipping, sales support, and boat show preparation. Outside of his professional work, Michael values time with family, enjoys the outdoors, and shares his life with his dogs, maintaining a lifelong connection to the water.

Michael Quantrell is a seasoned yacht Captain with more than 20 years of experience in yacht engineering, estate management, and high-level marine operations. His career includes managing multimillion-dollar refits, leading diverse crews, and oversee... Show more

Nitheesh Yennampelly is a dynamic supply chain and business analytics professional with proven expertise in strategic operations, automation, and data-driven optimization. Currently serving as a Supply Chain Specialist at Amazon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nitheesh leads initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and generate multimillion-dollar savings. His notable accomplishments include designing an automated build planning and forecasting system that achieved $7 million in cost savings, and developing a real-time QuickSight dashboard that drove a $6.4 million ROI.
A skilled innovator, Nitheesh has successfully integrated AI-powered solutions into operational workflows, such as creating an automated Q&A assistant for Amazon’s SOP management tool, now used across 4,000+ sites, and spearheading the hub-and-spoke topology optimization for an $85 million asset management system using advanced Python modeling. His ability to combine technical acumen with strategic insight makes him a trusted leader in logistics innovation and data analytics.
Previously, as an Area Manager at Amazon in California, Nitheesh managed teams of 30+ associates, implementing performance management systems that boosted productivity by 25% and reduced workplace incidents by 20%. Earlier in his career, he contributed to FedEx Services as a Strategy & Analytics Intern, where he developed Power BI dashboards and data validation processes that improved reporting accuracy by 25%.
Nitheesh began his professional journey at Unacademy in India, where he streamlined asset management processes and implemented CRM systems to enhance business operations.
He holds a Master’s degree in Management Science (Business Analytics & Supply Chain Management) from The University of Texas at Dallas, where he was recognized as a Dean’s Excellence Scholar and served as an Operations Lead for the Project Management Club. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus in Hyderabad, India.
An advocate for continuous improvement, Nitheesh is certified in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) and skilled in SQL, Alteryx, Power BI, Tableau, and advanced analytics tools. His leadership, technical expertise, and innovative mindset consistently drive measurable results in complex operational environments.

Nitheesh Yennampelly is a dynamic supply chain and business analytics professional with proven expertise in strategic operations, automation, and data-driven optimization. Currently serving as a Supply Chain Specialist at Amazon in Nashville, Tenness... Show more

Preston is a seasoned Business Intelligence professional with nearly two decades of experience in the field. As the CEO of Insights In Action, he has successfully led the analytics efforts of a diverse portfolio of 131+ companies. His tenure includes a Fortune 2 company where over 30,000 team members relied on his and his team's work. Preston's expertise has taken him around the globe, where he has shared his knowledge and insights with thousands of teams and individuals, empowering them to effectively manage, wrangle, store, and effectively present their data. Throughout his career, Preston has demonstrated a deep passion for learning and teaching, thriving on the opportunity to help others achieve their data goals.

Preston is a seasoned Business Intelligence professional with nearly two decades of experience in the field. As the CEO of Insights In Action, he has successfully led the analytics efforts of a diverse portfolio of 131+ companies. His tenure includes... Show more

Duke Valentour works as an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, a division of BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, now known as Space & Mission Systems, develops technology and solutions for space missions, supporting national security, intelligence, and civilian efforts.

Duke holds a Commercial Pilot License and is a Certified Flight Instructor. His interest in aviation was sparked early by his grandfather, who significantly encouraged his passion for flying.

In his engineering role, Duke analyzes workflow processes within assembly and fabrication operations to identify cycle times and improve efficiency. He leads projects that enhance procedures across Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs for Optical Systems. His responsibilities include performing root cause analyses to identify and address production challenges. He works closely with production technicians to implement process and product improvements.

Duke began his career at Ball Aerospace as an intern in 2020 and later earned a full-time position. In 2024, he was promoted to his current role. That same year, Ball Aerospace was acquired by BAE Systems and incorporated into the Space & Mission Systems division.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s passion for aviation developed during childhood visits to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, with his grandfather, Colonel Wayne Basset. These visits deepened his interest in military aviation. While interning at Ball Aerospace in 2021, Jonathan passed his private pilot check ride and earned his instrument rating by late 2023.

In early 2024, Jonathan earned his commercial pilot license and flight instructor certification. He began working as a tow pilot and flight instructor at Mile High Gliding in Boulder.

Duke holds endorsements for complex airplanes, high-performance aircraft, tailwheel operations, and glider towing. He has logged roughly 800 flight hours, including 250 in tailwheel aircraft and 10 in complex airplanes. His experience includes flight instruction at Journeys Aviation and glider towing at Mile High Gliding, where he provides flight and ground instruction.

Jonathan attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he played baseball and football. His football team qualified for the state playoffs during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In 2017, he enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus and earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Systems Engineering. While at OSU, Jonathan served as Business Development Lead for the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative from 2020 to 2021.

Duke worked at the Ball Packaging facility during college, where he first became familiar with Ball Aerospace. His persistence helped him secure an internship with the company, laying the foundation for his aerospace engineering career.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, offering free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17 to inspire interest in aviation. Jonathan conducts pre-flight briefings, pilots flights, and leads post-flight question sessions. This volunteer work reflects his dedication to sharing his passion for flying, inspired by his grandfather and father.

Outside of his professional and aviation pursuits, Duke enjoys hiking and skiing. He values the physical challenge and connection to nature that these activities provide. His appreciation for the outdoors complements his passion for flying, giving him a unique perspective on the landscapes he explores from the ground and the air.

Duke Valentour works as an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, a division of BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, now known as Space & Mission Systems, develops technology and solutions for space missions, supporting natio... Show more

Brazilian cybersecurity professional focused on offensive security and mobile hacking. Founder of the MobSec Crew community and organizer of the Mobile Security Villages at BSides São Paulo and H2HC. Currently working at Thallium Security.

Brazilian cybersecurity professional focused on offensive security and mobile hacking. Founder of the MobSec Crew community and organizer of the Mobile Security Villages at BSides São Paulo and H2HC. Currently working at Thallium Security. Show more

Especialista en fortalecimiento organizacional integral, con más de 19 años de experiencia en gestión de proyectos de alto impacto empresarial enmarcado en calidad, producción, arquitectura, gobernanza y gestión de datos.
Sólido conocimiento en implementación de Sistemas de Gestión, Control de Riesgos, Auditoría normas ISO (27001-2, 9001, 14001 y 45001), Planificación estratégica, construcción y control de indicadores de desempeño, públicos y privados.
Amplia experiencia en coordinación de equipos de trabajo interdisciplinarios, nacionales e internacionales, modelado y mejora de procesos, PMO, gestión documental y visualización de datos para tomar decisiones.
Realización de pasantías, capacitaciones y relatorias en el ámbito de especialización.
Dentro de los principales logros se encuentran la creación y puesta en marcha del primer Depto. de calidad del INE -Chile, la creación del primer Código de Buenas Prácticas Estadísticas de Chile, reactivación del Sistema Estadístico Regional Valparaíso, ser parte del equipo técnico fundador de consultores en DATAMET, consultora freelance en SEGDA México y CTO en IDÓNEA, primera consultora en Chile en abordar la protección de datos personales desde la perspectiva técnica y legal con un foco interdisciplinario.

Especialista en fortalecimiento organizacional integral, con más de 19 años de experiencia en gestión de proyectos de alto impacto empresarial enmarcado en calidad, producción, arquitectura, gobernanza y gestión de datos. Sólido conocimiento en impl... Show more

Eldon McQueen is a Navy SAR rescue swimmer, aircraft engineer for Air Force One, former Mayor of Corpus Christi, and founder of AeroTae and MITI Skyports. His career spans Special Operations, Black Hawks, Ospreys, aviation engineering, and political leadership. With a background in Computer Information Systems, advanced Martial Arts mastery, and combat-level resilience forged through real operations, Eldon brings a rare blend of technical innovation and warrior discipline. He builds next-generation AAM systems, authors the Danny McQ and Master Grampy book series—including his acclaimed work on Mastery—and hosts The DMZ: Danny McQ Zone. Eldon speaks on innovation, AAM, crisis leadership, combat resilience, and the mindset required to solve the impossible.

Full - Bio
Eldon McQueen’s life reads like an action script—because he’s lived every frame of it. As a Navy Special Operations SAR rescue swimmer, he launched into violent seas to save lives, forging extraordinary mental toughness and combat-tested resilience. As an aviation engineer, he worked on Air Force One, Army Black Hawks, and Marine Ospreys, mastering mission-critical systems under extreme pressure. Aircraft, Machine's and Fast Motorcycles, this is the Real McQueen.

Armed with a Computer Information Systems background and a lifetime of advanced Martial Arts mastery, Eldon blends the precision of an engineer, the discipline of a sensei, and the resilience of a combat operator. His teachings on human performance and mastery form the foundation of his literary universe—from the Master Grampy series to his book on Mastery and the action-driven Danny McQ novels and films.

As Mayor of Corpus Christi, Eldon fought to modernize infrastructure, strengthen communities, and lead through political turbulence—all while leveraging the same principles of discipline, focus, and resilience that shaped his life.

Today, Eldon is building America’s next strategic frontier: Advanced Air Mobility. As founder of AeroTae and the MITI Skyport System, he merges engineering, AI, martial-arts mindset, and aviation into a scalable vision for national resilience and future mobility. He hosts The DMZ, a broadcast on future tech, space, veterans’ issues, faith, and national security.

A rescuer, engineer, fighter, innovator, and survivor, Eldon channels his real-world experience into storytelling, technology, and leadership. His work establishes him as one of the most dynamic voices in AAM and a visionary architect of America’s next era of mobility, mindset, and mastery.
"Do More Faster, So Other's May Live"

Eldon McQueen is a Navy SAR rescue swimmer, aircraft engineer for Air Force One, former Mayor of Corpus Christi, and founder of AeroTae and MITI Skyports. His career spans Special Operations, Black Hawks, Ospreys, aviation engineering, and political ... Show more

Bryn helps companies make the most of their D365 investment. With deep experience in supply chain consulting and as project manager for one of the broadest D365 deployments globally, Bryn now oversees Sunrise's continuous improvement consulting motion and ensures long-term customer success and relationships.

Bryn helps companies make the most of their D365 investment. With deep experience in supply chain consulting and as project manager for one of the broadest D365 deployments globally, Bryn now oversees Sunrise's continuous improvement consulting motio... Show more

Gerod Carfantan is a Managing Partner at Sente Ventures, an investment platform that invests globally in startups in the Industrial Circular Economy, Mobility, Logistics, AgTech and Energy domains. He joined Sente in 2016, holds board director positions at several startup companies and has also co-invested as an angel investor with Sente’s program startups. Prior to his role at Sente , Gerod was a management consultant and business development manager at Cisco Systems, and led partnerships, solution development and IT services engagements at technology companies such as VMware, Siemens and EMC. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta.

Gerod Carfantan is a Managing Partner at Sente Ventures, an investment platform that invests globally in startups in the Industrial Circular Economy, Mobility, Logistics, AgTech and Energy domains. He joined Sente in 2016, holds board director posit... Show more

I’m an analytical and results-driven Software Engineer with over 8 years of experience in cloud infrastructure, networking systems, and observability engineering. My work spans across C, C++, Go, and Python, with a deep focus on Azure networking, eBPF, Kubernetes, and performance benchmarking.

At Microsoft, I work on Windows Container Networking and Retina Data Path Observability, where I lead large-scale performance benchmarking efforts and integrate Cilium-based eBPF observability on Windows. I’ve contributed to the eBPF-for-Windows open-source project and led the deployment of the Azure Dependency Agent across multiple global regions—enhancing reliability, efficiency, and customer experience for Azure Monitor and VM Insights.

Before joining Microsoft, I worked at Cisco Systems, where I implemented high-availability networking solutions (In-Service Software Upgrades) and developed GRPC-based CLI frameworks to improve visibility and management across distributed systems. Earlier in my career, I interned at Juniper Networks and Versa Networks, where I built automation frameworks, real-time communication features, and pub-sub IPC models for core network components.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about giving back to the tech community. I’ve served as a hackathon judge and mentor at events such as Tidal Hacks, Uncommon Hacks, Diamond Hacks, and Hackabyte, where I enjoy mentoring student developers and evaluating innovative solutions in AI, networking, and cloud technologies.

I hold a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC) and am currently pursuing a Postgraduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on machine learning, NLP, and deep learning.

I’m an analytical and results-driven Software Engineer with over 8 years of experience in cloud infrastructure, networking systems, and observability engineering. My work spans across C, C++, Go, and Python, with a deep focus on Azure networking, eBP... Show more

A Computer Science student at Maseno University, Community Manager and Crowdsource influencer, GDG on Campus Event Organizer. Loves attending and organizing community events

A Computer Science student at Maseno University, Community Manager and Crowdsource influencer, GDG on Campus Event Organizer. Loves attending and organizing community events Show more

Pratik Gandhi has built a focused and steady career marked by dedication, learning, and leadership across multiple industries. His professional background includes entrepreneurship, technology, real estate, and community work. Through every opportunity, he has demonstrated a commitment to organization, strategic thinking, and teamwork. His approach combines consistent effort with a desire to improve processes and outcomes in all areas of his work.

Throughout his career, Pratik has emphasized the importance of responsibility and persistence. He believes that success comes through planning, communication, and adaptability. His willingness to take initiative and learn from experience has enabled him to grow professionally and personally while helping others achieve shared goals.

In 2008, Pratik Gandhi founded PJK Entertainment in Houston, beginning his career in entrepreneurship. As the owner, he managed all operations, including event coordination, vendor relationships, and financial planning. His responsibilities also included drafting legal documents and ensuring every project was executed smoothly. The experience helped him develop skills in leadership, project management, and client communication, forming a strong foundation for his future endeavors.

In 2012, he joined JS SAP Group as an IT specialist, where he was responsible for database development, client support, and contract management. Two years later, he continued to expand his technical skills by joining Reliance as a consultant. There, he built a centralized database system that improved access to key records and streamlined company operations. These roles strengthened his analytical abilities and helped him gain valuable experience in system development and business operations.

In 2016, Pratik advanced into a leadership position as director of operations at Exotic Transport. He managed logistics, scheduling, dispatching, and compliance procedures while supervising employee training and performance. His work required close coordination with safety and maintenance teams to ensure operational efficiency. His leadership in this role helped strengthen his skills in management and organizational oversight.

That same year, he entered the real estate industry with Keller Williams Metropolitan. In this position, he guided clients through the buying, selling, and renting process while managing listings and contracts. His professionalism and attention to client needs helped him build trust and long-term relationships.

At CiTY LiVN, he worked as a licensed real estate professional, focusing on financial modeling, cash flow projections, and property valuation. His role also involved underwriting, investment reporting, and acquisition analysis. Through this experience, he developed a deeper understanding of real estate finance and market dynamics, which became an essential part of his professional expertise.

In 2017, Pratik Gandhi became president of Mpire Builders, a company that acquires and redevelops multifamily properties in the Houston area. The company also manages new construction and single-family redevelopment projects. Under his leadership, Mpire Builders has improved property operations and created long-term value for investors. His work emphasizes efficiency, financial responsibility, and quality management.

Alongside his professional work, Pratik continues to pursue education in economics, management, and marketing at the University of Houston. His academic studies reflect his belief in lifelong learning and his dedication to expanding his knowledge and skills.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, he is actively involved in community initiatives that focus on helping underserved populations. His volunteer work reflects his commitment to using his experience to make a positive impact beyond his professional roles.

Throughout his career, Pratik Gandhi has remained focused on growth, integrity, and service. His path demonstrates how consistency, learning, and leadership can create meaningful progress in both business and community life. His work continues to reflect professionalism, persistence, and a commitment to long-term development.

Pratik Gandhi has built a focused and steady career marked by dedication, learning, and leadership across multiple industries. His professional background includes entrepreneurship, technology, real estate, and community work. Through every opportuni... Show more

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MIT Connection Science and a Visiting Ph.D. Student at CSIC-IFISC. I am currently working on socially aware foundation models, human-intelligent agents cooperation and spatially-aware deep learning for urban, transportation and mobility.

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MI... Show more

As a Supervisor at RSM US LLP, I specialize in delivering Power Platform solutions, leading environment modernization initiatives, and supporting the career growth of associates. My role focuses on enhancing business process automation and overseeing complex projects with strategic precision. My current focus has been around SharePoint Syntex, Generative AI (Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude), and Copilot for M365 implementations in the modern workplace.

As a Supervisor at RSM US LLP, I specialize in delivering Power Platform solutions, leading environment modernization initiatives, and supporting the career growth of associates. My role focuses on enhancing business process automation and overseeing... Show more

Fatuma Abdullahi is a software developer with a front-end focus and an a11y advocate. She comes to tech from a business background and runs a YouTube channel and blog dedicated to learning in public.

Fatuma Abdullahi is a software developer with a front-end focus and an a11y advocate. She comes to tech from a business background and runs a YouTube channel and blog dedicated to learning in public. Show more

Terry is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of
experience safeguarding public, corporate, and government
sectors from cyber threats. A certified ethical hacker and
former government red team leader, he is also a renowned
expert in ICS/OT incident response and preparedness
training, driving innovation in cybersecurity defense
strategies.

Terry is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience safeguarding public, corporate, and government sectors from cyber threats. A certified ethical hacker and former government red team leader, he is also a renowned expert in ICS/OT in... Show more