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Featured Speakers
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Greg Schwem earned a degree in journalism at Northwestern University, and spent five years working as a newspaper and NBC television reporter before quitting his job to pursue his dream of performing stand-up comedy as a career. He does dozens of shows each year, has numerous television appearances to his credit, and has shared the concert stage with the likes of Celine Dion and Jay Leno. He has also emceed many events, including the prestigious OBIE Awards for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America
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Master of Ceremonies and Moderator, Greg Schwem |
Keynote Paul St. Germain |
As the Business Development Executive for IBM’s Wholesale Distribution Industry, Paul St. Germain is responsible for analyzing the wholesale distribution industry in North America. Mr. St. Germain brings 12 years of working directly with Wholesale Distribution industry clients to understand the business trends affecting the industry and assist in determining opportunities and solutions to address the trends.
During his 29 years with IBM, Mr. St. Germain has worked with wholesale distribution, retail, transportation and manufacturing customers. He has helped several customers determine the op-portunities, challenges and risks associated with implementing supply chain and e-business solu-tions. Prior to his current position, Mr. St. Germain was the Americas Segment Executive for Wholesale Distribution for IBM Small and Medium Business. He is an acknowledged contribu-tor to the Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain report published in March 2007 by the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence, an instructor for the Industrial Distribution Leadership Certificate Program (IDLCP) continuing education course at Mohawk College, and a member of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. He is currently involved in the research for the upcoming version of the Facing the Forces of Change® report.
Mr. St. Germain attended the University of Waterloo, where he graduated from the Electrical Engineering program.
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Steve Epner is founder of the Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group. During his 40+ year career, he has built a reputation for assisting clients with the integration of strategic business planning, information systems and tactical requirements and has become a highly regarded industry expert.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a Master of Science degree in technology from Purdue University. Additionally, he is the Innovator in Residence at Saint Louis University. He pioneered in early on-line systems and database environments and selected and implemented one of the first voice recognition systems in the United States.
In addition, Steve has published more than 800 articles in major business and trade publications. He has been quoted in the national business press, including the Wall Street Journal, and has authored or contributed to eight books. He is the founder and past president of the Independent Computer Consultants Association, a founding member of the EDI Coalition of Associations, and a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) – Gateway Chapter. In 2000, the NSA awarded Steve the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation.
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Keynote Steve Epner |
Author Kevin Hanville |
Kevin Hanville is no stranger to success as a business owner and as an executive in the corporate world. With over 25 years of sales and management experience, Kevin delivers straight forward, right now results with a refreshing no-nonsense approach. One of his primary focuses is on increasing sales and profits and helping business owners become more effective leaders. Without one, you can't have the other!
Kevin's background and experience enables him to quickly diagnose the root causes of a problem, recommend appropriate changes, and help with the implementation of the solution.
As a Business Coach and Consultant, Kevin has worked with over 100 businesses in everything from sales, leadership, to organizational structure. He has helped save companies from bankruptcy and helped others realize double digit growth. Kevin excels in jumpstart or turn around situations.
In the corporate world, Kevin has served in the roles of National Sales Manager and VP of Sales. During his first year with one company as Vice President of Sales, he produced a 37% increase in sales over the previous year. This was also the first time in five years that sales had been higher than the previous year.
Kevin is a national speaker and the creator of a national workshop program that was presented in over 20 cities. The workshops were sponsored by major newspapers, Chambers of Commerce, and local and national businesses. The major newspapers included The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Florida Today, Palm Beach Post, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The workshops trained business owners in strategies for increasing sales, creating more effective advertising, and leadership training. He has also led workshops on how to use the DISC personality profile system to increase sales.
Kevin serves on the Advisory Board of the Assistance League of Atlanta and is also a facilitator of an Executive Roundtable with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Kevin has lived in the Atlanta area since 1974 and family is his first priority. He enjoys camping with his family, and playing soccer. |
Grant Howard is an internationally recognized expert and major contributor in the design and implementation of “Best Practices” Inventory Management and Replenishment Systems, Operational Excellence and Systems Utilization. He has multiple company experience in inventory management, purchasing design, operations, problem solving, procedure preparation, and systems administration. Mr. Howard has assisted a number of multiple branch distributors and distribution software houses in the design, education, and implementation of procedures, software packages, and the use of current technology concentrating on inventory management, replenishment, operational efficiency, system utilization; resulting in fantastic customer service, bottom line and growth improvements.
In addition to his practical experience, Grant has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wholesale Distribution from Eastern Michigan University where he also teaches classes on proper inventory management. Grant has presented “Best Practices” and “How to” courses for NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors), PTDA (Power Transmission Distributors Association), HIDA (Health Industry Distributors Association), NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association), UID (University of Industrial Distribution), Industrial Distribution Magazine, Infor (NxTrend Technology), TUG (The User Group) as well as multiple other associations, publishing houses, and distribution software houses. He spends much of his time facilitating proper inventory management and operational efficiency with on-site training and implementation for multiple companies belonging to these associations and others. Grant is also an active member on the board of directors for multiple distribution companies.
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Grant W. Howard |
SANS Institute Network Security Expert,
Jim Shewmaker |
James Shewmaker has over 15 years experience in IT, primarily developing appliances for automation and security for broadcast radio, internet, and satellite devices.
Shewmaker, CTO and founder of Bluenotch Corporation, focuses on investigations, penetration testing, and analysis. Currently, he is the Moderator and Lead Technical Developer of NetWars, a component of the US Cyber Challenge. He is one of the first GIAC Platinum certified Malware (GSM) experts, member of the GIAC Adivsory Board, a FreeBSD contributor, and contributor to various SANS courseware--including Security Essentials and Reverse Engineering Malware: Advanced Techniques.
Shewmaker, holds many current certifications, including CISSP, instructs various SANS courses, and also presents at DefCon and ChicagoCon.
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