PAST PROGRAMS

JULY 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "Opportunity in Broadband Wireless"
Speaker:  Tony Klinkert, General Manager, Klinkert & Associates
Date:  Monday, July 12, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)
Time:  Social/Networking 6:15 pm  Dinner/Program 6:45 pm
Cover:  $5 for IEEE Members, $10 for non-IEEE Members/Guests

Program:  Anthony Klinkert, P.E, is a consultant in the broadband wireless arena.  He will speak on the state of the industry in broadband wireless, or 4th Generation wireless, and present opportunities for consultants.  He will cover licensed broadband and the regulatory developments in the MDS 2.5 GHz band with the recently announced rules change for revitalizing that band, and in the unlicensed bands of 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz.  His talk will include information on the industry associations and standards of WiFi and WiMax that support interoperability of the IEEE wireless standards.  He will address markets for this technology in the sectors of hospitality, public safety, and major carrier arenas.  He will conclude with a collaborative session on the business model for broadband wireless and how you can participate as a consultant in this growth sector.

Speaker:  Anthony (Tony) Klinkert, a specialist in broadband wireless, has 23 years experience in radio and wireless network planning, modeling, design, deployment and operations research.  His primary expertise is in RF coverage, capacity, and interference optimization modeling for specific business plan objectives.  Corporate experience includes MCI, PageNet, GE, TI, and Motorola.   He received his BSEE from the University of Texas at Austin, an MSEE and an MS in Telecommunications from SMU, and will complete his Doctor of Engineering in 2005.  He was awarded the broadband wireless industry association’s highest award in 2002, WCA’s Golden Eagle, for “technical vision and industry service.”  He is a frequent public speaker at conventions, over webcasts, and in trade press interviews.  Tony is a federally licensed radio operator and a state licensed professional engineer.  He has served on local government telecommunications policy committees and is a frequent contributor to standards bodies in emerging telecommunications technologies.

JUNE 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "Consultants Showcase:  Developing Your Practice"
Speaker:  Ron Fluegge, Clyde Musgrave, Chuck Sobey
Date:  Monday, June 14, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)
Time:  Social/Networking 6:15 pm  Dinner/Program 6:45 pm
Cover:  $5 for IEEE Members, $10 for non-IEEE Members/Guests

Program:  Three successful consultants and entrepreneurs will discuss the growth and development of their businesses.  They will answer questions about rationale for starting a practice and how they developed their services to become recognized and sought after.  They will describe the administrative and financial aspects of making a new business a success.  Bring your list of questions to this interactive session.

Panelist:  Ron Fluegge, Principal, Fluegge Consulting Group

Ron Fluegge has over 33 years of experience in the electric generating industry.  He began his career in 1970 as a nuclear engineer at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant owned and operated by Baltimore Gas & Electric.  Since then he has worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Missouri Public Service Commission, Power Computing, and TU Electric, starting two businesses during that time.  His first business engaged in consulting in the field of nuclear materials licensing and radiation safety for hospitals and radiation oncology centers.  In 1998, he left TXU to start his current software business, GADS Next Generation.  He has two commercial software products related to electric generating reliability.  He has customers in New Zealand, England and North America.  He has a degree in Nuclear Engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in five states.

Panelist:  Dr. Clyde Musgrave, Texcelerator, Inc.

In 1999, “Dr. Clyde” formed Texcelerator, Inc. a consulting company that is focused on creating and developing new business opportunities.  His strengths include managing teams, building collaborative environments, business development, value creation, managing risks associated with innovation and high tech ventures, strategic business planning, private funds placement, high tech licensing, information technology/systems, R & D management, electronic commerce, and networked security.  He has help various management and engineering positions including the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the ARPANET Executive Committee with Vint Cerf.  He has a BSEE, an MSEE, a Ph.D., and an MBA and is a Registered Professional Engineer in three states.  He holds nine patents related to cryptography and biometrics.

Panelist:  Chuck Sobey, Chief Scientist, Channel Science

Chuck Sobey is Chief Scientist and founder of ChannelScience, founded in 1996.  Channel Science is an adaptive digital signal processing firm that specializes in MATLAB®-based software development, interactive detection algorithms, chip architectures, testing and channel optimization for data storage devices.  He is sought by large companies to evaluate the technology of merger or acquisition targets.  Chuck also helps small companies prepare and market their IP to established industry leaders.

Chuck has the detailed understanding of recording channels and transducer physics that only comes with over 15 years of direct design, manufacturing, and test experience. He has five issued US patents, numerous publications, and has helped pioneer innovations in recording sensor design, channel architectures, and adaptive algorithms. His recent efforts are focused on exotic data recovery for national security, sensors for homeland defense and medical applications, and the emerging field of RFID.  Chuck holds a BS from Carnegie Mellon and an MS in EE from UC, Santa Barbara.

MAY 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "The Power of Hypnotic Selling"
Speaker:  Reed M. Rogers, President, Reed Rogers Seminars
Date:  Monday, May 10, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  What is the difference between Hypnotic Selling and standard selling?  Come find out!  You will learn the differences between manipulation and persuasion.  All selling takes place on an emotional level.  In this session, you will learn how to appeal to the emotional level and persuade practically anyone to buy almost anything.  You will know in the first five minutes of this session if you are a salesperson - or not!  Learn the three major ways that everyone learns, and then use those ways to help them make buying decisions.  You will also learn: Linking and Embedding Techniques; Hypnotic Amnesia; Effective and Ineffective Words to Use and Avoid; How to Get YES When They are Saying No; Physiological Advantages; ARCing Statements; and more...

Speaker:  Reed Rogers is an entertaining and educational Stage Hypnotist.  As a former tennis professional, Reed discovered that the only thing that separates great players from champions is merely what they think!  During one of his pro tennis tournaments, a turning point occurred and changed his entire life.  This turning point was the start of his interest in the mind and ultimately led to him becoming a Professional Hypnotist and Speaker. He is currently an Area Governor of Toastmasters and the Chairman of the Speakers Bureau for District 50 Toastmasters.  He has helped hundreds of people in the DFW Metroplex lose weight, become better speakers, quit smoking, overcome phobias, make more money, and much more.

APRIL 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "Challenges and Triumphs of Developing Small Businesses"
Speaker:  Mike Shea, COO, BizNet Software
Date:  Monday, April 12, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  Mike Shea draws on his many years of experience where he had helped form several businesses.  He discussed how to conquer the challenges of developing your business – so that you may experience the triumphs of success.

His presentation focused on

• Initial set-up and administration in the creation of your company

• Day-to-day running of your company

He discussed the steps needed to protect yourself during Stage One, and the typical stages you go through during Stage Two.  In addition, Mr. Shea provided in-depth lessons on how to manage the finances of a small business.

Speaker:  Mike Shea has served as Chief Operating Officer for BizNet Software since August 2000.  Mr. Shea brings over 25 years experience in business development having served as COO for Transaction Strategies Inc., Landlock Seafood Inc., and Affiliated Computer System's Financial Services Company.

Mr. Shea's experience in building technology companies includes developing some of the largest EFT networks in the country, including the MoneyMaker ATM Network in Texas and Girard Bank's George Network in Philadelphia, the development of Texas' Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Network and the electronic hunting and fishing licensing systems in several states.

Mr. Shea received his Economics degree from Colorado College and his Graduate Management Program degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

MARCH 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "The Art of Self Promotion"
Speaker:  Ginger Owen, Founder, Syntelligence Inc.
Date:  Monday, March 8, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  The Art of Self Promotion focuses on ways for you to confidently and competently distinguish yourself from the crowd and sell yourself in the marketplace.  In this interactive session, you will learn the essential elements of sales strategy and how to create a compelling and unique value proposition.  If you want to work smarter - not harder - this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Speaker:  As Founder and President of Syntelligence Inc., Ginger Owen shares her enthusiasm and passion for improving performance.  She helps others succeed by synthesizing physical, mental, and emotional intelligences as the core foundations for high performance.  She delivers programs that provide simple-yet-effective strategies for navigating a myriad of work and life challenges.  Ginger’s career spans nineteen years of corporate experience with high profile technology companies – Nortel Networks, Perot Systems, and SBC - where she successfully led initiatives in business development, marketing, sales support, training, and human resources.

A graduate of the University of North Texas, Ginger holds certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Development Dimensions International’s (DDI) professional development curriculum.  She is a board member of Dallas Community TV, serves as a mentor for the Alliance for Technology and Women (ATW), participates in the Women’s Leadership Council for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and serves on the Guest Services Ministry at Irving Bible Church.

FEBRUARY 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "Inside the Box: Thinking Faster on Your Feet"
Speaker:  Maxine Shapiro, Financial Commentator / Corporate Trainer
Date:  Monday, February 9, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  For years we’ve been told to think “outside the box.”  And I’m happily reporting everything we need to grow creatively is right there “inside the box.”  Starting in early childhood we were taught to censor ourselves – those wonderful intuitive, spontaneous thoughts were no good.  Now as adults, we spend way too much time questioning and judging our ideas.  No one even gets a chance to hear them, and we’re frustrated.  To reclaim our spontaneity, we must experience spontaneity.  Thinking quicker on your feet cannot be lectured about or learned from a book.  In our short time together, we will “play” and experience what it’s like to really get out of our judgmental minds.  We’ll begin reacting from our gut - where all the good stuff comes from.  In the process we’ll get a glimpse of true team building as we emphasize cooperation, trust, and the most fun of all, experimentation.  These experiential techniques challenge your internal censor leading to higher productivity.  Laughter works where lectures don’t.

Speaker:  Maxine Shapiro is a 20-year veteran of the financial industry.  A Chicago native, she spent 15 years at the Chicago Board of Trade.  An accomplished actor and comedienne, she performed regularly in Chicago’s vibrant off-loop theatre scene as well as being a student of the Second City Improv Lab.  After moving to Dallas in 1995, she brought both of these strengths together.  You’ve heard her on KRLD and for the past two years as the daily financial commentator for KERA 90.1’s “Marketplace Midday.”  She was also heard regularly on the nationally syndicated “Marketplace Morning Edition,” blending humor with unbridled, down-to-earth analysis.  The same warmth and one-of-a-kind personality that comes through on radio has put her in demand as a public speaker.  And now Maxine brings the foundation of improvisation into the business community.  Many groups have already experienced the transformational effects of her workshops.  These experiential techniques enhance creative flow, spontaneity, and team building while censoring the self-judgment with which we are all plagued.  Maxine also continues her acting career doing numerous independent films and theatrical productions.

JANUARY 2004 MEETING

Topic:  "The Seven (Surprising!) Secrets of Leadership"
Speaker:  David Spivey, Director, Executive Leadership Programs, University of Texas at Dallas
Date:  Monday, January 12, 2004
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:   How do leaders learn to be leaders?  What can individuals do to have a positive influence on others?  How can you obtain buy-in, commitment and loyalty from clients, co-workers, and employees?  These and other important but elusive questions are answered in David Spivey’s intriguing program, “The Seven Secrets of Leadership”.  Since founding the world-class executive program for UTD and researching the best practices of leadership development, director David Spivey has discovered that anyone can  - and should -  develop their personal leadership capabilities.  "Leadership is a choice that anyone can make,” says Spivey.  “Leadership is really about what we do, and how people perceive us, rather than about position and power.”   In an engaging, interactive style he will explain the seven secrets of personal leadership and offer numerous insights and personal examples of how anyone can become an effective leader.

Speaker:  David Spivey is the director of the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Dallas.  This program, founded in 2001, is based on his research of the "best practices" of leadership development within America's most successful organizations.  He frequently publishes articles and speaks on leadership and management development topics, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Leadership.  He earned his Master of Business Administration from UTD and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University.  Before joining UTD, David spent 25 years as a corporate executive. He continues to consult with organizations to improve performance by implementing “leadership at all levels".

DECEMBER 2003 MEETING

Topic:  "Enjoying the Power of Your Mind"
Speaker:  Reed Rogers, Co-founder, Hypnotic Solutions
Date:  Monday, December 8, 2003
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX (south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  You will laugh, you will be amazed, and you will learn how powerful your minds are!  Reed Rogers is an entertaining and educational Stage Hypnotist.  As a former Tennis Professional, Reed discovered that the only thing that separates great players from champions is merely what they think!  During one of his pro tennis tournaments, a turning point occurred and changed his entire life.  This turning point was the start of his interest in the mind and ultimately led to him becoming a Professional Hypnotist and Speaker.  Born and raised in Texas, Reed lives in the Dallas Metroplex and is the co-founder of Hypnotic Solutions.  He has traveled and lived in Japan and Australia and brought back a nice souvenir from Australia....his wife Vivi.  They have two children, a boy and a girl.  Reed enjoys helping people overcome and accomplish things in theirs lives they would not normally be able to do without utilizing hypnosis.  He has helped hundreds of people in the DFW Metroplex lose weight, become better speakers, quit smoking, overcome phobias, make more money and much, much more.  There is no magic to hypnosis.  Reed explains the benefits of hypnosis in his shows.  You will learn and have fun in this entertaining comedy show!  Those who participate on stage usually gain the most benefit from the show.

JULY 2003 MEETING

Topic:  "Perfecting Your 30-Second Elevator Speech"
Speaker:  Jerome Brown, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Date:  Monday, July 14, 2003
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX
(south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  Now you are starting out on your own as a consulting business.  How are you going to eat and pay your bills?  This presentation provides proven techniques to sell your services in 30 seconds.  It will cover preparing, engaging, and closing, and includes a practice session with seasoned Toastmaster consultants.

Speaker:  Jerome Y. Brown is a successful entrepreneur with ten years of consulting in software and business.  Mr. Brown is a financial advisor for UBS Financial Services, Inc. (formerly UBS PaineWebber).  Prior to joining UBS Financial Services, Mr. Brown started a software consulting firm and grew it to 25 consultants with annual revenues of more than $2 million.  Accomplishments include speaking on Entrepreneurship, Goal Setting, Wealth Preservation, Retirement, Education, and Estate Planning; television appearances on Comcast Broadband TV; Division Governor of Toastmasters International (managing and motivating over 500 members).  He is co-author of  “Architectural Significant Package (ASP): Fundamentals of Object-oriented Architecture Modeling for Real-Time Embedded Applications” which he presented at the 2001 Sixth International IEEE Workshop on Object-Oriented Real-Time Dependable Systems in Rome, Italy.

Mr. Brown earned his B.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin.  Licenses include Series 7, Series 66, Life, Health, Accident, and Annuities.  He has lived and worked in various foreign countries including Italy, England, Philippines, Korea, and Japan.

MAY 2003 MEETING

Topic:  "Status of the Venture Capital Community"
Speaker:  Roman Kikta, Managing Partner, Genesis Campus, L.P
Date:  Monday, May 12, 2003
Location:  Holiday Inn Select, 1655 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX
(south of Campbell Road, west side of Central)

Program:  Learn about emerging opportunities in the venture capital industry with Mr. Roman Kikta, Managing Partner, Genesis Campus, L.P.  Roman will discuss what a VC firm looks for in a start-up and how small consulting firms can tie into these efforts.  Being an innovator is key, as current innovations are coming more from individuals than from large corporations.  Understanding the risks and pitfalls faced by the VC industry will assist you in your own start-up efforts.

Speaker:  Roman Kikta is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Genesis Campus.  A wireless industry pioneer, Roman Kikta has worked with leading wireless industry companies: Nokia, Panasonic Communications and Systems Company, GoldStar, and OKI Telecom.  Mr. Kikta is an acknowledged expert on market trends and on the role of technologies on society.  He led the development of the first cellular payphone, the first cellular PBX adjunct and voice recognition dialer, in addition to several generations of mobile, transportable, and portable phone designs.  He led the initial product launch of PCS in the US.  Mr. Kikta is the co-author of four books including "Wireless Internet Crash Course," "3G for Wireless Demystified," and "Delivering xDSL."  Mr. Kikta was most recently the Director of Strategy and Business Creation at Nokia Ventures Organization, a unit of Nokia Corporation.  Mr. Kikta is a Fellow of the Radio Club of America; Member of the AeA's Texas Council Board of Directors; a Charter Member of TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs); and Member of the Advisory Council, Entrepreneurs North Texas Foundation.  He has a B.A. degree in History and Economics from Rutgers University.

APRIL 2003 MEETING

Date:  Monday, April 14, 2003
Location:  Nedley's Restaurant and Club - 1801 North Plano Road in Richardson
(west side of Plano Road one block south of Campbell)
Topic:  "How to Get Your Technology Startup Business Launched"
Speakers:  Mr. Doug Dickerson, VP of North American Sales and Global Marketing, Cyneta Networks

Program:  As Entrepreneur-in-Residence with InterWest Partners and CenterPoint Ventures, Doug focused both on launching new companies in the communications space and evaluating young companies searching for venture capital funding.  With extensive experience in technology start-ups, Doug will discuss creative ways to get a business started and funded. He will highlight the issues you need to address and what pitfalls you should avoid. Doug’s presentation will help your business be a success when you’re ready to launch.

Speaker:  Doug Dickerson, Vice President of North American Sales and Global Marketing for Cyneta Networks, has over 17 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience in sales, marketing, engineering and business line management.  He is responsible for Cyneta’s North American wireless carrier sales, international product marketing and communication programs, strategic relationships and technology partnerships.

Prior to his current position, Dickerson served as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence with InterWest Partners, a leading diversified venture capital firm, and CenterPoint Ventures, one of the largest early-stage venture capital firms in Texas.  In this dual role, he focused on launching new companies in the communications space and evaluating young companies searching for venture capital funding.

Dickerson was the vice president of marketing and business development at Chorum Technologies, a start-up focused on advanced optical networking products and technologies for long haul and metropolitan access networks.  Dickerson was one of the first employees at Chorum and played a leading role in the development of the Company’s business plan and the creation of the sales, marketing, and product line management organizations.  During his tenure, the company was ranked as one of the fastest growing optical companies in the industry, and the fastest growing high tech company in Texas.

Prior to Chorum, Mr. Dickerson was the vice president of sales and marketing at Airtech Wireless, a start-up provider of advanced radio products for the wireless communications industry.  Dickerson also held senior marketing, strategy and product management positions at Nortel Networks in the wireline, wireless and enterprise networks divisions.  He was also a participant in Nortel’s multi-year executive management training program.

Dickerson’s career began in the defense industry, where he was an engineering design manager for advanced RF and optical countermeasure products at Tracor Aerospace.  He earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace
Engineering and an MBA from the University of Texas in Austin.

MARCH 2003 MEETING

Date:  Monday, March 10, 2003
Location:  Nedley's Restaurant and Club - 1801 North Plano Road in Richardson
Topic:  "The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence"
Speaker:  Elaine Siciliano Weeman, Partner and Senior Consultant, Sea Change Partners LLC

Program:  Doing business today is more challenging than ever.  The most innovative business leaders recognize the importance of social and emotional finesse in serving customers, selling ideas and services, bringing people together and solving problems.  In this presentation learn the basic premise of Emotional Intelligence, how it impacts effectiveness, and what you can learn from this model to be more effective in your business.

Speaker:  Ms. Elaine Siciliano Weeman, co-founder of Sea Change Partners LLC, provides leadership development and organizational consulting services to a wide range of industries such as commercial real estate, healthcare, technology, and financial services.

FEBRUARY 2003 MEETING

Date:  Monday, February 10, 2002
Location:  Nedley's Restaurant and Club - 1801 North Plano Road in Richardson
Topic:  "IEEE and Your Future"
Speaker:  LeEarl Bryant, 2002 IEEE-USA President, President of Texas LAB Consultants

Program:  As the immediate Past President of IEEE-USA, Ms. Bryant will share with us her unique observations of IEEE's role in promoting engineers and engineering.

Speaker:  Ms. Bryant is one of the founders of our IEEE Dallas Section Consultants Network and is a longtime supporter.  She is multitalented with consulting skills, interests in intelligent transportation, telecommunications, and defense electronic systems.  She is a skilled people and project manager.  Capabilities include business and product planning, proposal direction and implementation, system design, people skill development, as well as technical writing for patents and other documents.  Her work as IEEE-USA President has been lauded as accomplishing the most of any recent president.  Ms. Bryant also is interested in genealogy and markets a genealogy game.

JANUARY 2003 MEETING

Date:  Monday, January 13, 2003
Location:  Nedley's Restaurant and Club 1801 North Plano Road in Richardson
(west side of Plano Road one block south of Campbell)
Topic:  "Consulting Success Stories: Consultants Network Member's Showcase"
Speakers:  Dr. Janet Six, President, Lone Star Interface Design and Mr. Bruce Blais, PCN Professionals, Inc.

NOTE OUR NEW MEETING LOCATION

Program:  Do you wonder what other consultants do?  Do you want to know how to build your business?  This meeting will showcase two of our members and their businesses.  You can learn what they do and perhaps adapt some of their strategies to grow your own business.

2002 HOLIDAY PARTY

Date:  Saturday, December 7, 2002
Location:  Nedley's Restaurant and Club 1801 North Plano Road in Richardson
(west side of Plano Road one block south of Campbell)

We will be in the banquet room at the back of the restaurant.  There are pool tables next to the room, so we should have some fun.  Soft drinks, chips, cheeses, meats, and other snacks are provided.  Beer and wine will be available from our hostess for a nominal charge.  Holiday season cocktail party attire is suggested.

NOVEMBER MEETING

Date:  Monday, November 11, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline-US 75)
Topic:  "Entrepreneurial Experiences from Small Company to Large Corporation"
Speaker:  Michael Stanford, Director of Technology Strategy for Enterprise Communications, Intel Corporation

Program:  Consultants often ask, "How can I get a company started?"  First you need a product.  This month's program is an introduction to the process.  Michael Stanford  will  describe his journey through the acquisition food chain, from a founder of a small company, Algo, its growth and merger with Picazo, and eventual acquisition by Intel, starting with a base in the Metroplex and growing to a division of a multinational company.  He will describe how he started a software company in the '80s, sold it, and then did it again in the '90s.  He will talk about how to start a company from scratch, building it to a  $100+ million in two years, and how to navigate a product-oriented group within a multi-billion dollar company, reflecting on lessons learned along  the way.

Speaker:  Michael Stanford is an engineering manager in the Network Processing Group at Intel Corporation, responsible for advanced media server related technologies.  Michael works with architects, engineers, and business managers - both inside and outside Intel - to design standards-based, Intel® media processing products that enable ISVs to quickly meet the changing needs of their worldwide enterprise customers.  Michael also works in a business development role.  Before joining Intel, Michael served as vice president of engineering at Picazo Corporation, a leading converged communications system vendor that was acquired by Intel in 2000, after itself merging with Stanford's original company in 1998.  Stanford formed Algo in 1994, developing Personal Caller ID software to capture caller ID and dial computer-linked phones, modems, ISDN modems, dialers, and interfaces to PBXs and telephony key systems.  Algo secured contracts with Southwestern Bell, Lucent, and NEC to develop telecommunications software, and its products were included by Compaq on Presarios.  His path from consultant to business owner and manager was one of the local Metroplex success stories of the 1990's, and offers a case history for people wanting to start their own business and integrate it into the larger corporate world.  Michael Stanford has the BA degree from the University of Lancaster in England.  He is co-author of the book "A User-Friendly Guide to Laptop Portables.  Stanford became known for his leadership role in setting standards which enabled the development of unified messaging systems in the late 1990's.  Recently, he presented the paper "Will the Pentium® Processor Replace the DSP?" at Intel's Communication Summit 2000, available at http://webcast.intel.com. 

OCTOBER MEETING

Date:  Monday, October 14, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline-US 75)
Topic:  "Small Business Concerns: The Force Behind Technology Innovations"
Speaker:  A. Hakim Bensaoula, DSc, PhD, MBA, Senior Research Scientist, R&D Detectors, IONWERKS, Inc.

Program:  Dr. Bensaoula will talk about IONWERKS, Inc., its development in its 16 years of existence, and in general, about small business success through continuous adaptation to new technology demands through innovation and search for new applications.  IONWERKS, based in Houston, Texas, supplies special instruments, electronics, and detectors for mass spectrometry.

Speaker:  As Senior Scientist with IONWERKS, Dr. Bensaoula has a track record in initiating collaborative efforts with research institutions and laboratories.  These efforts are aimed at facilitating timely technology transfer and training of graduates in new, one of a kind characterization tools.  This philosophy, shared by all of Ionwerks' scientists and engineers, is at the base of the company's success in finding timely solutions to many of the problems faced by materials scientists and biochemists through innovation. These innovations led to successful products that were introduced in the market in record time.

Dr. Bensaoula has expertise in metal, semiconductor, and ceramics thin film growth and processing.    He joined the CNRS-Sofia Antipolis and the University of Nice (France) to work on his Doctor of Science degree in Physics, specializing in electronic materials.  His work on strained layers superlattices and strain compensated superstructures earned him a Doctor of Science degree in applied physics (1995).  He then returned to the University of Houston as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant where he conducted an extensive study on interface interactions and structural stability of materials subjected to high stress levels, earning the Ph.D.  Dr. Bensaoula has over 37 papers in reviewed journals and holds an MBA in Management and International Business.

SEPTEMBER MEETING
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Date:  Monday, September 9, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline-US 75)
Topic:  "Preparing for Value Chain Collaboration"
Speaker:  Ginger Luttrell, President, LTC (Luttrell Training and Consulting)

Program:  This presentation will explore methods for aligning business processes across an organization in order to prepare a company to implement an effective e-business strategy.  It will also address how business process alignment can increase time-to-market response, improve productivity and create a culture and system based on accountability and identify and decrease hidden and non-value added work.  Learn how this new methodology can be used in your consulting practice.  The discussion topics include:

 - Business process and component mapping and documentation
 - The new job role - process performer role (PPR)
 - Centralization and standardization
 - Socialization and culturization
 - Education, training, and performance support
 - Measurements, reporting, and accountability
 - Enabling tools

Speaker:  As president of LTC (Luttrell Training and Consulting), Ginger Luttrell has the knowledge and wisdom gained through more than 15 years of industry experience in consulting and training in horizontal process management.  Having honed her experience in business processes, operational dynamics, organizational change and end user education, Luttrell helps multinational companies realize business process improvements through education.  Luttrell is known for her ability to create sound business environments by mapping business operations and enterprise systems to employee performance.

Prior to founding LTC, Luttrell managed and designed cross-functional training programs for SAP initiatives at Texas Instruments.  She also led implementation teams and oversaw performance enhancement programs within the company’s learning organization.  In addition, Luttrell has spearheaded a number of SAP configuration and programming teams internally and as a consultant, giving her keen insight into the needs of users. This enables her to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical users.

Her technical expertise includes extensive knowledge of software methodology based on the Software Engineering Institute’s Capability and Maturity Model, the industry de facto standard for assessing and improving software processes.  She has extensive experience in software development life cycles, including project definition, requirements, design, development,
testing, implementation, training, and support.

Luttrell serves on the Computer Information Systems Advisory Board at Richland College and has taught as an adjunct professor. She has also taught continuing education courses for Collin County Community College.  She is currently the co-chair of the North Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of ASUG (Americas SAP Users Group).  Luttrell has also been a keynote speaker on training and education at various industry events and is a published author.

Ms. Luttrell  has a degree in Computer Science from Louisiana State University, with a minor in Psychology.

IEEE DALLAS SECTION AWARDS BANQUET

Date:  Saturday, May 18, 2002
Location:  Radisson Hotel Dallas North (1981 North Central Expressway)
Tickets:  $15.00/IEEE members/spouse - $20.00/non-members ($45.00 actual value underwritten by IEEE)

Program:  Join other members of the Network for a night of entertainment and networking as we attend the Dallas Section Awards Banquet as a group.  This event will be held at  the Radisson Hotel in Richardson.  For details, follow the link to the Meeting Schedule/Newsletter on the IEEE Dallas Section web site at www.seas.smu.edu/ieeedallas/. Please RSVP with Bruce Blais to be sure we have room at the Consultants Network tables for you.

MAY MEETING
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Date:  Monday, May 13, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  "Launching High-Tech Products Into the Marketplace - A Strategic Marketing Perspective"
Speakers:  Bob Dorn, President - CDR, LLc

Program:  The best products don't always win out in the market, yet many entrepreneurs and technically savvy management teams practice "Field of Dreams Marketing": if I build it, they will come.  This presentation focuses on a proven methodology for successfully launching high tech products.  The concepts discussed show how the focus should not be on the product, but rather on the customer. The methodology discussed will help both consultants and engineers to understand why some products, though technologically eloquent, don't have a chance at being successful, while others, though not very sophisticated, will dominate the market.

Speaker:  Bob Dorn is the president of CDR, LLc, a strategic marketing consulting firm in Dallas.  Bob began his career at GE, moving to a spinoff, Cimflex Teknowledge, before spending 7 years with TI as Manager of Advanced Systems Marketing.  Bob worked with Sprint ION and recently worked with Sprint to launch the Managed and Professional Services business.

Bob has a B.A. in physics from the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of General Electric's Technical Marketing Institute, where he earned the distinguished PEAK award.

APRIL MEETING

Date:  Monday, April 8, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  "MEMS - The Start of a Manufacturing Revolution"
Speakers:  John Randall, PhD, Chief Technical Officer, Zyvex Corporation

Program:  John will speak on the business and technology opportunities created by the emerging field of nanoscience manufacturing.

MARCH MEETING

Date:  Monday, March 11, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Teleworking and Virtual Offices
Speaker:  Joanne Pratt, President, Joanne H. Pratt & Associates

Program:  Joanne Pratt, President, Joanne H. Pratt Associates, a consulting company specializing in teleworking, will provide an overview of this work concept and discuss some recent implementations.  She will share new findings from her research on how small businesses can use the Internet to reach global markets.

Speaker:  Joanne Pratt, is president of her own consulting firm, Joanne H. Pratt Associates, specializing in the virtual office, including telework, home-based businesses, and other new work patterns.  She is a recognized futurist and authority on home-based work.  Her teleworking research includes business impacts, transportation implications, family issues, and impacts on corporate work patterns.  An internationally-known consultant, researcher, and speaker on business trends, Ms. Pratt helps organizations assess and implement teleworking as a business strategy.  She also consults with vendors on how to sell to the home office market.  Her client list includes AT&T, Xerox Corporation, Southwestern Bell Corporation, Sprint, GTE, Symantec and public agencies.  Currently she is researching e-business trends for the SBA and home-based business opportunities for the AARP.

FEBRUARY MEETING
For Viewgraphs:  Click Here

Date:  Monday, February 11, 2002
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Facilitation: A Consulting Practice Tool for Accelerating Work Group Buy-In and Alignment on Projects
Speaker:  Paul Burek, CEO, JADCore, LLC

Program:  Facilitation is a tool used in project workshops that pulls all of the project stakeholders (i.e. decision makers / parties affected) together at the same time and enables them to hear the issues, brainstorm their ideas, and fully document their decisions quickly.  Facilitation can be used anytime there is a need to get alignment and buy-in from multiple stakeholders (e.g. Business Requirements, Technical Requirements, Lessons Learned, Strategic Planning, Problem Resolution).  It can reduce the amount of time spent in project meetings as well as the overall elapsed time spent on the entire project effort.  There are many facilitation methods used in workshops to capture and clarify ideas, but one of the most effective is the use of Electronic Flip Charting (EFC) to enable workshop participants to produce hard and soft copy project deliverables and walk out of each workshop with these agreed-upon deliverables in their hands.  Because project stakeholders work in a collaborative effort to make and document decisions, alignment goes up, buy-in is stronger, and project re-work is significantly reduced.

Speaker:  Paul Burek is an accomplished facilitator, project manager, and trainer with a wide range of project development experiences.  His career spans more than twenty-five years in facilitation, software development, project management, education delivery, and business consulting.  He is CEO of JADCore, LLC based in Irving, Texas.  Mr. Burek has facilitated over 400 workshops in Fortune 100 companies around the world.  He is highly skilled in the use of facilitation techniques and electronic information capture using a technique developed at his company called Electronic Flip Charting (EFC).  His facilitated workshops enable the participants to produce high quality softcopy and hardcopy workshop deliverables.  Workshop participants have said they walk out of a 2-to-3 day JADCore workshop with documentation in hand and alignment they would have struggled to create over a 3-to-4 month period on their own.  Mr. Burek holds a BBA in Management from the University of Texas at El Paso.  He is the treasurer of the Southwest Facilitator's Network and a member of both the International Association of Facilitators and the Project Management Institute.

JANUARY MEETING

Date:  Monday, January 14, 2002
Location:  Juan's Cantina, Richardson Heights Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Licensing and Engineers: Is It Engineering, and Am I One?
Speaker:  Roxanne Pillar, P.E., Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Program:  Is it engineering and am I one?  This presentation will answer those questions as the history and structure of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE), the state engineering licensing board, is revealed.  An explanation of the requirements and process for licensure will be provided.  Interesting case histories and common mistakes to avoid will be shared for the benefit of those pursuing licensure as well as the seasoned professional.

Speaker:  Roxanne Pillar, P.E., is a Senior Engineer with URS Corp in Fort Worth, currently working on the people mover project at D/FW International Airport.  She is a distinguished engineer, and former President of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE).  Having led a task force for TSPE which coordinated National Engineers Week activities in Texas on behalf of the National Society of Professional Engineers and TSPE, she is widely known as a spokesperson on engineering career issues.  Ms. Pillar is the immediate past President of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.  She is a past board member and current chair of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.   Ms. Pillar is a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Texas.  She holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from South Dakota State University and has done post graduate work at The University of Texas at Arlington.

2001 HOLIDAY PARTY

Topic:  Sixth Annual Networking Holiday Social
Date:  Friday, December 7, 2001
Place:  747 South Central Expressway in Richardson
(on the northbound service road between Spring Valley and Beltline)

Bring your wife, date, significant other, or come by yourself and join in the fun as the members and guests of the IEEE Dallas Section Consultants Network launch into the holiday season with our sixth annual social.  This has traditionally been one of our best meetings with a mixed group attending and a definite cocktail party atmosphere.  This is solely a networking event, so there will be no speaker.  It is also one of the few times we meet at a venue different from our regular meeting location.  Look for us in the Skybox facing the parking lot.  See you there!

OCTOBER MEETING

Date:  Monday, October 8, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Who Needs Soft Skills Anyway?
Speaker:  Kurtis Sampson, Project Manager, Rhode & Schwarz

Program:  Effective teams don't just happen.  We all know that.  There are some soft skills that engineers and high-tech focused people may have forgotten, such as sharing goals with team members, monitoring progress toward the goal, and to give and receive honest feedback.  This presentation will provide an overview of the Challenge Course team building which creates an environment that highlights your behavior and the team's interaction.  Once you recognize your behavior, you can make the choice to change.

Speaker Profile:  Kurtis Sampson is presently a project manager for automatic test and measurement systems in the Dallas, Texas area.  From 1995 to1999 he worked for the Harris Corporation, Communications Division as a new product engineer developing and producing point-to-point high capacity microwave radios.  From 1979 to 1995 he served in the US Air Force as a Communications Officer and project manager installing jam-resistance spread spectrum satellite networks around the world.  He received his BSEE from University of Iowa in 1979, an MA in Management and an MBA from Webster University, and an MSEE from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  Mr. Sampson has been active in Challenge Course since 1994 as a lead Facilitator and Course Director, working both as a professional and volunteer.  He is also a member of the IEEE.

SEPTEMBER MEETING

Date:  Monday, September 10, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Jumpstarting Your Startup
Speaker:  Ron Jennings, Chief Technical Officer, STARTech Early Ventures and STARTech Foundation

Program:  "Jumpstarting Your Startup - Empowering the Entrepreneur" is a program structured to provide a brief overview of the startup process as well as general guidelines for the same.  The program  will also provide an overview of how STARTech and its networks can assist entrepreneurs and includes an interactive Q&A forum.

Entrepreneurs have great ideas and talent.  However, often times they do not know what it takes to start up and nurture a successful company that can grow into a multi-million or multi-billion dollar business.  The whole process from idea to funding is not always well understood by many entrepreneurs, especially those with a technical background.  Most entrepreneurs do not realize what resources are needed or where to go look for them.

Speaker Profile:  Ron Jennings joined STARTech in 2000 as Chief Technical Officer.  He has over 25 years of experience in technical and executive roles in a variety of industries including: telecommunications, supercomputers, electric power, oil and gas exploration, defense, health care, and broadcasting.  Mr. Jennings supports a broad range of technology sector initiatives and manages STARTech's information systems infrastructure.  Most recently, he served as Vice President of Development at TelOptica, Inc., an early stage company specializing in the optimization of telecommunications networks.  Prior to that, he was Vice President of Development at Orametrix, Inc., another Dallas start-up.  He has also worked for Hewlett-Packard, Convex Computer Corporation, and Texas Instruments, where he was a senior member of technical staff.  Mr. Jennings holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Michigan State University and is a registered professional engineer in Texas.  He also holds six patents.  To contact Ron for information regarding STARTech and his presentation, browse to www.startechev.com.

AUGUST MEETING

Date:  Monday, August 13, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  How Established Consultants Can Weather a Business Downturn
Panel Moderator:  Don Jacobs
Panelists:  Bruce Blais, Jerry Bylander, Mart Nelson

Program:  Practicing consultants will discuss strategy and tactics for weathering an economic downturn.

Panelist Profiles:  Bruce B. Blais, PCN Professionals, Inc.

Mr. Blais is a wireless telecom consultant with 30 experience in the industry, 11 years as a consultant.  He is a Principal Consultant with PCN Professionals, wireless telecommunications specialists in Richardson, Texas.  He has specialized in advanced digital wireless systems for the last 20 years and has worked on digital land-mobile systems, digital satellite, digital troposcatter and digital point-to-point microwave systems. His clients include the major telecommunications equipment manufacturers, service providers, and entrepreneurs and new business ventures.  Mr. Blais is a registered Professional Engineer and a Senior member of the IEEE.

E.G. (Jerry) Bylander, Bylander Associates

Jerry has been owner and then president of Bylander Associates, Inc. since 1987.  Prior to that, he consulted internally at Texas Instruments as well as with a variety of display vendors for them.  He has consulted with various medical professionals and institutions.  He has also consulted with a display/automotive mirror developer.

Mart Nelson, P.E.

A Professional Engineer, Mr. Nelson has over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of networking, processing and systems technology.  His expertise lies in the practical and detailed technical design and implementation of sophisticated systems.  As a systems engineer, his technical abilities have been utilized by major professional services firms, local and state organizations and Fortune 500 companies.

JULY MEETING
For Viewgraphs:  Click Here

Date:  Monday, July 9, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Why Technology Certifications Are A Waste of Your Money
Speaker:  Dr. Brian Newell, Network Security Advisor, Technical Project Systems, LLC

Program:  Information technology certification is big business.  Vendors, training firms, testing centers, and even established universities promote a bewildering jumble of acronyms, representing quickie educational programs promising to advance your salary and career with even quicker speed.  In this talk I will expose the money-grubbing hypocrisy of the certification industry through examination of marketing and training methodologies.  Ways to get ahead while avoiding the certification trap will be discussed.

Speaker Profile:  Dr. Brian Newell is the President of Technical Project Systems, a Dallas-based network security and technology integration firm.  Brian is involved daily with projects encompassing computer network security, Internet access, routers, bank information technology, databases, website integration, and analysis of the ways in which technology can be applied to business situations to maximize profit.  Brian is an alumnus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.  Brian also holds an MSEE from Stanford University in California and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas.  After a 13-year career at Texas Instruments in digital design, component testing, and device manufacturing, Brian founded Technical Project Systems in 1998 to provide secure computer network solutions for all types of business objectives.

Viewgraphs:  Click Here

JUNE MEETING

Date:  Monday, June 11, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Information Exchange and Annual Business Meeting
Speaker:  Don Jacobs, Chairman, IEEE Dallas Section Consultants Network 

MAY MEETING

Date:  Monday, May 14, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Staying Competitive in a Changing Technology Environment: What Companies are Looking For in a Consultant
Speaker:  Lisa Sullivan

Program:  Ms. Sullivan will provide information on how to market your consulting service and yourself to a company, with a strong focus on start-ups.  She will also share information about local start-ups, their culture, the movers, the shakers, and what she observes in their growth process.

Speaker Profile:  Lisa has an MA and BA in Journalism from Northeastern University.  She has successfully transferred to the commercial arena with 11 years in sales and telecom marketing with GTE, Sprint, and Southwestern Bell.  She presently serves as Principal and VP of Operations for Technical Careers of Plano which has 10 employees and over $1M annual revenue.  Her numerous associations includes serving as VP of New Business Relations for the newly organized North Texas Technology Council (NTTC).

2001 IEEE DALLAS SECTION ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

Date:  Saturday, May 12, 2001
Location:  Radisson Hotel, 1981 N. Central Expressway (at Campbell), Richardson, TX  Phone: 972-644-4000  
Topic: Annual IEEE Dallas Section Award Banquet and Networking Event
Cost:  $10 each purchased prior to May 15; $15 each at the door (IEEE members)

Program:  The Annual IEEE Dallas Section Awards Banquet will be held at 6:30 pm on Saturday, May 12, at the Radisson Hotel in Richardson (Central & Campbell).  Enjoy a relaxing evening with your colleagues.  For tickets, contact Margaret Pickens at 214-743-6871, email mpickens@txu.com or Shelly Pierce at 972-699-2507, email SHELLY_PIERCE@agilent.com.  Tickets are $15 for IEEE members ($10 before May 7) and their spouses or $20 for non-members ($15 before May 7).

APRIL MEETING

Date:  Monday, April 9, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Building a Successful Consulting Business
Speaker:  James R. Helbig, President, Marketing & Management Resources, Inc.

Program:  Selling consulting services - whether technical, management, sales, or other - is the same as asking your prospective client to make a purchase decision, perhaps a major one, on professional services and value yet to be delivered.  For the client, that scenario translates into a single word: RISK.  Overcoming this perceived risk is just one of the key elements to building a successful consulting business.

Speaker Profile:  Mr. Helbig provides strategic business, marketing, and communications consulting services to a wide range of technology companies serving primarily B2B markets.  Prior to forming Marketing & Management Resources, Inc. in 1993, he had been a principal with the Silicon Valley-based technology consulting firm Regis McKenna Inc. since 1989.  Before that, he had been world-wide corporate public relations strategy manager for Texas Instruments.  In addition to defining strengths in technology business and market research, analysis and strategy, Jim's professional background includes public affairs and issues management.  Jim has a strong academic background with a bachelor's degree in biology/chemistry, master's degree in journalism, and graduate courses toward an MBA.

MARCH MEETING

Date:  Monday, March 12, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  From Flipcharts to Keyboards:  A Consultant's Journey into Technology
Speaker:  Anne Hudson, President, Grouputer Solutions

Program:  In 1989, Anne Hudson and a small group of consultants worked on Australia's first city-wide change program.  Learn how the consulting effort evolved as Grouputer - a corporation and a patented technology with over 250 customers among the Fortune 500, universities, and schools.

Speaker Profile:  Anne Hudson is President of Grouputer Solutions.  The company was founded in Sydney and relocated to Dallas in June 2000.  Prior to co-inventing the Grouputer technology in the early 90's, Anne worked with international organizations in England and Australia until 1989 when she formed a management consultancy to facilitate large- scale change management projects.  Previously, she worked at Polaroid Corporation in Australia and on assignment in the USA, Japan, and Europe in senior management, strategic planning, marketing, advertising, and public relations roles.  Anne holds a Master of Business Administration degree.

CONSULTANTS NETWORK SPECIAL EVENT

LEADERSHIP SUCCESS - STYLES THAT EMPOWER AND MOTIVATE 
(1st of two sessions)

Event - Tuesday, February 20, 2001 IEEE Section Meeting  6:00 - 8:30 pm
Place - Holiday Inn Select, Richardson
Facilitators - Maura Schrier-Fleming, Strategic Sells; Joe Lillie, Director, IEEE Region 5; Anne Hudson, Director, Grouputer

Maura Schrier-Fleming, an IEEE member and principal of Strategic Selling, will lead this two-part seminar on developing the skills that leaders need for success in business.  Refreshments will be served at both seminars.

On February 20, you can take an optional style assessment ($20 IEEE members/$30 nonmembers) that identifies your strengths and weaknesses.  In addition, Joe Lillie, Director IEEE Region 5, will share his insights on how professional society involvement develops leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment.

On March 20, Maura will distribute results of the optional style assessment and introduce leadership skills that you can immediately use at work to increase your productivity by working more effectively with others.  The seminar is filled with hands- on learning opportunities.  You will see immediate results when you apply these techniques at work.  Maura will use a unique team decision-making tool, Grouputer, to enhance the exchange of leadership ideas through group interaction.

FEBRUARY MEETING

Date:  Monday, February 12, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Seamless Risk Management from Project to CEO
Speaker:  Danny R. Faught, Independent Consultant

Program:  The discipline of risk management has been around for ages, but it's just now emerging as a widespread best practice.  There are two unconnected worlds of risk management - one at the project level and at the executive level.  Mr. Faught will present an overview of these two different worlds of risk management, including profiles of the type of people involved in each, and suggest a possible link that may form in the future.

Speaker Profile:  Danny R. Faught is a newly liberated independent consultant.  He was formerly a consultant with Cigital, where he participated in the development of Cigital's risk management methodology.  He has been trained in risk management by Tim Lister of the Atlantic Systems Guild and by the Project Management Institute.  Mr. Faught has spoken at several conferences and other events and is currently serving on the review committee for the Risk Management track of the Project Management Institute's annual conference.  Learn more on his web page at http://www.metronet.com/~drf/.

JANUARY MEETING

Date:  Monday, January 8, 2001
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Project Turn-Around Leadership
Speaker:  Tom Ingram - Tom Ingram & Associates, Inc.

Program:  Improve your skills for turning around a client's project that is in trouble.  Mr. Ingram will address turn-around techniques focused on matching project manager authority with responsibility, enforcing methodologies for scope and change control, obtaining executive participation, on-time performance of client personnel, finding something you can fix immediately, and much more.

Speaker Profile:  Tom Ingram of Tom Ingram & Associates, Inc. has provided management assistance to approximately $20M of projects which have generated over $60M in measured benefits for clients and employers.  He has numerous published articles and has written the book How to Turn Computer Problems Into a Competitive Advantage.  He is active in numerous organizations and currently serves as President of the North Texas chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants.

2000 HOLIDAY PARTY

Topic:  Fifth Annual Networking Holiday Social
Date:  Saturday, December 9, 2000
Hosts:  Bruce and Betsy Blais

Bring your wife, date, significant other, or come by yourself and join in the fun as the members and guests of the IEEE Dallas Section Consultants Network launches into the holiday season with our fifth annual social.  This has traditionally been one of our best meetings with a mixed group in attendance and a definite party atmosphere.  Beer, wine, and soft drinks, along with hors d'oeuvres and other snacks will be provided.  Cocktail party attire is suggested.

Please RSVP to Bruce Blais, bblais@pcn-pros.com, with the number in your party and drink preferences.  We need a head count and preferences to plan the menu.

NOVEMBER 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, November 13, 2000
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (southwest corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Internal Consulting Services within Firms and Organizations
Speaker:  Dr. Fred Tibbals - Director, Bioinstrumentation Resource Center

Program:  Dr. Tibbals will explore similarities and differences between working as an in-house consultant and working in the open market as an independent consultant.  The success of in-house consulting services depends on the same things as those that serve a niche in the open marketplace.  Service-oriented centers and departments within organizations must demonstrate their cost effectiveness and added value versus outsourced alternatives.  In today's environment internal service centers must be managed with an openness towards contracting out projects when this provides the greatest value to the parent organization.

Background:  Dr. Tibbals presently manages four divisions of biomedical engineering center supporting research, development, and clinical investigations at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.  These divisions provide biomedical engineering design, development, support, and maintenance for clinical and research instruments and medical equipment.  Dr. Tibbals and his staff work closely with clinicians and basic medical researchers to design and customize medical devices and instruments to optimize performance and usability, expand functionality, increase efficacy.  Dr. Tibbals' broad based background includes assignments at Kodak, Mostek, and Rockwell International.  Dr. Tibbals has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry form the University of Houston and a B.S. in Electrochemistry from Baylor University.

OCTOBER 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, October 9, 2000
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Risk Management for Small Businesses
Speakers:  Diane Smith, Ackley Financial Group and Annette Stone, State Farm Insurance

Program:  This is your opportunity to learn about the different aspects of small business that require evaluation with consideration for risk management.  The presentation will primarily focus on risk management for the self-employed and other small businesses.  Areas addressed include key employee insurance, property insurance, health insurance, accident insurance, performance bonds, and more.

Backgrounds:  Diane Smith is a member of the Consultants Network, specializing in financial planning and risk management for individuals and small businesses.  She is an associate with the Ackley Financial Group.  Annette Stone has over 30 years experience in the insurance business and has been self-employed as a State Farm Insurance Agent for 20 years.  Both Diane and Annette are frequent speakers on issues related to risk management, including training for those going into the industry.

SEPTEMBER 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, September 11, 2000
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Win-Win Negotiations
Speaker:  Russ Yaquinto, Right Management Consultants

Program:  Whether you're negotiating for a contract, a change in delivery, or personal issues, there are secrets for success. Learn some of these unexpectedly easy secrets from an area professional.

Background:  Mr. Yaquinto is presently serving as VP Senior Consultant with Right Management Consultants.  During 25 years in human resource and organization development, Russ learned to embrace change and transform it into a growing experience.  Russ is an accomplished leader and human development specialist with an authentic, yet inspirational communications style.  He helps people change their lives and businesses through coaching and consulting.

AUGUST 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, August 14, 2000
Location:  Village Grill, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Responsive Proposals that Win Contracts for Small Businesses
Speaker:  LeEarl Bryant, Texas LAB Consultants

Program:  Learn the basics of writing responsive proposals, as well as unsolicited proposals.  When quality is important instead of quantity, you need to know what the client is expecting and how to present the material in a manner that will win.

Background:  Ms. Bryant is presently documenting patents for the intellectual property department of the Dallas law firm of Novakov-Davis.  Previously she has served as a consultant to several area ventures as well as employee of Rockwell International, Sprint, and others.  Ms. Bryant has extensive business management experience as well as experience as a design engineer.  She has developed proposals both as an employee and as a consultant.  Her proposals have a documented history of earning high ranking for technical and business content.  Ms. Bryant is a registered engineer in the State of Texas with her BSEE from Texas Tech and her MSEE from SMU.  She is an active IEEE member and candidate for IEEE-USA President-Elect for the year 2001.

JULY 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, July 10, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Doing Business Across Cultures: What is My International Business Etiquette?
Speaker:  Sheri Sinaga, Senior International Relocation Consultant at EDS

Program:  The first step to effective business etiquette when dealing with individuals from multi-cultural environments is effective communications based on an understanding of where they are coming from; or at a minimum, with sensitivity to potential differences in business and personal relationships. The secret to success when misunderstandings inevitably arise is to provide “a graceful way out; understand when “no” means “no”; and polite and amiable communications. Dr. Sinaga will share experiences from her personal and business backgrounds, while delivering a basic message that all residents and workers in our multi-cultural local environment and global business environments need for developing successful, meaningful and enjoyable people-to-people relationships.

Background:  Sheri Sinaga, Ph.D., is the Senior International Relocation Consultant at EDS Relocation Business Services.  Her focus is to enhance the international relocation program for EDS Corporate Relocation Services as well as EDS Relocation Business Services’ clients.  Previous to joining EDS, Sheri was principal owner of World Wide Solutions & Services, where she provided training programs for cultural awareness and intercultural effectiveness as it applies to the business world.

JUNE 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, June 12, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Networking event and annual business meeting
Moderator:  Michael Hallett, Chairman

Program:  Members and guests will have this opportunity to exchange consulting experiences and to discuss plans for future programs and events. Following a tradition established in earlier meetings, the members and guests of the Consultants Network will exchange lessons learned from their practices. This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for practicing consultants to learn new tricks of the trade from peers; for clients of consultants to provide insight into their requirements; for contracting firms to share their expertise on ways to enhance contracting opportunities; and for those considering career alternatives to learn from others. New officers will be installed.

Background:  Last meeting of the "official" fiscal year. Programs will continue throughout the summer with new officers leading the organization. 

STARTCAMP 2

Date:  Saturday, June 3, 2000
Topic:  STARTCamp2: Accelerating Your E-Business
Location:  CityPlace Conference Center, 2711 N. Haskell at Central Expressway, Dallas, TX
Cost:  $95 for Early Registration prior to May 24; $125 for Late Registration after May 24

STARTech and Texas eComm are excited to present "STARTCamp2: Accelerating your E-Business" on June 3 at the CityPlace in Dallas.  Registration information and agenda available at: www.startcamp.com.  STARTCamps are regularly occurring entrepreneurial training seminars held in the Metroplex area. The seminar speaker panel will comprise of several influential business leaders in the E-Business space who will be sharing their knowledge, experiences and insight in managing e-commerce startups.

Who should attend STARTCamp2?  Entrepreneurs who have an e-business idea and want direction on how to get started and executives of established start-ups who need to accelerate their e-business.

Why attend STARTCamp2?  You will have the opportunity to learn from and network with STARTCamp's panel of experts, STARTech mentors and other entrepreneurs.  Speakers and panelists represent companies like: Akili, Austin Ventures, Asera, Akin & Gump, Data Return, Encentris, Imperial Bank, InterWest Partners, i2 Technologies, Lante, Springbok Technologies, Scient and more.  These speakers are well-respected, influential leaders in their respective fields and within the e-business community.  They will be sharing their knowledge and experiences. These are people who have been in your shoes and can lend valuable insight. Learn from their mistakes and their triumphs!  If you are an e-business entrepreneur you must attend. If you know an e-business entrepreneur you must pass this information onto them.  We promise a great networking and learning experience.  See you there!

2000 ANNUAL BANQUET

Date:  Saturday, May 20, 2000
Location:  Clarion Hotel, 1981 N. Central Expressway (at Campbell), Richardson TX  Phone: 972-644-4000  
Topic: Annual IEEE Dallas Section Award Banquet and Networking Event
Cost:  $7.50 each purchased prior to May 15; $12.50 each at the door

Program:  Presenting the Outstanding Achievement and Outstanding Company Awards from the Dallas Section and the Outstanding Service Awards from the Societies.  The Outstanding Member of the Consultants Network will also be recognized.

Background:  As one of the benefits of the organization, members of the Consultants Network are invited to join the IEEE Dallas Section in this unique networking opportunity.  Besides recognizing outstanding members and sharing a good meal, attendees will also be able to participate in an event scheduled to provide a different learning and entertainment experience.

MAY 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, May 8, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Work Smarter, Not Longer !
Speaker:  Pauline Shirley, Executive Solutions Unlimited

Program:  Do you want less stress and greater peace of mind because you can effectively manage the flow of your time and tasks?  Does it seems that no matter how much longer you work, you still can’t seem to get caught up?  You can do something about it – now!  Not next year nor the next century, now!  Learn at least ten self-management and time-management techniques from this presentation.

Background:  Pauline Shirley, Principal of Executive Solutions Unlimited in Richardson, is a speaker, workshop leader, consultant and a communications skills expert.  Executive Solutions Unlimited's mission is "to inspire and motivate leaders to bring out the best in themselves and others" through training programs, workshops, consulting, and coaching.

APRIL 2000 MEETING

Date:  April 10, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Making People More Productive and Their Businesses More Profitable in 90 Days
Speaker:  Carolyn Zamberlan, Knox Corporate Development

Program:  Is more expected from you this year than last year?  Are you going in earlier and staying later just to get the job done?  Are you or your management more productive today than last year?  Can you measure your productivity or your team's productivity?  Learn a simple and economical process for measuring productivity and providing help in reaching ever-higher productivity levels.  Everything we do is quantified, measured, and tied to profit. The goal of the presentation is to help you get more done through yourself and others.  Learn how to use strengths to overcome weaknesses and to fine tune the skills that are critical to success.

Background:  Carolyn Zamberlan is with Knox Corporate Development, a business which helps individuals and corporations improve their management, business development, and strategic planning processes.  Carolyn is recognized as being the top sales producer for the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce for ten years, previously owning an image consulting firm which provided the weekly television program Profiles on Channel 5, and for developing the Executive Roundtable for chief executives of major corporations.

MARCH 2000 MEETING

Date:  March 13, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner of Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Writing To Enhance Your Consulting Practice - Part II:  Do You Have a Book Struggling To Get Out?
Speakers:  Richard Levine, Beta Scientific Laboratory and Jerry Bylander, Bylander Associates, Inc.

Program:  Writing and giving technical presentations has proven to be a powerful marketing tool for many of our members. We will discuss why you should write, how to pick a topic, where to talk/publish, how to approach preparation and how to avoid some of our own failings. We will also indicate ways that speaking and publishing have helped our practice.

Background:  Jerry Bylander is an author and consultant.  He has written over two dozen refereed technical articles as well as given a variety of poster, university seminar, and technical presentations.  He also is an inventor with several patents issued.  Richard Levine is an author, lecturer, and consultant.  His publications include: Cellular PCS: The Big Picture, with L. Harte and S. Prokup, and GSM Superphones, with L. Harte and G. Livingston (both in the McGraw-Hill Series on Telecommunications).  He has published articles in a variety of magazines and journals including Popular Science, the American Journal of Physics and the IEEE Transactions on Engineering Education.

FEBRUARY 2000 MEETING

Date:  February 14, 2000
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner Beltline and US 75)
Topic:  Writing To Enhance Your Consulting Practice - Part I:  Do You Have a Book Struggling To Get Out?
Speakers:  Richard Levine, Beta Scientific Laboratory and Jerry Bylander, Bylander Associates, Inc.

Program:  How often have your felt you needed to give back to your profession?  After all, someone wrote the books you depend on. Here’s your chance to get started. Our presenters will tell you how to get published, develop your ideas, and write your book or book chapter. The entire process has been much simplified by the use of word processors and Internet research. They will also mention how their books have helped their practice.
Background:  Richard Levine is a noted author, lecturer, and consultant.  His publications include: Cellular PCS: The Big Picture, with L. Harte and S. Prokup (McGraw-Hill Series on Telecommunications), and GSM Superphones, with L. Harte and G. Livingston.  Jerry Bylander is an author and consultant. He is the author of Electronic Displays, McGraw-Hill (now out of print) and “Components for Electro-Optics” in Handbook of Components for Electronics, C. A. Harper, Ed., et al.

STARTCAMP I

Date:  February 2, 2000 (for EntreNet Members Only)
Topic:  STARTCamp - Registration deadline January 27, 2000  (sponsored by STARTech and Imperial Bank)
Location:  Grand Hall, Richardson Civic Center

Program:  STARTech is excited to announce STARTCamp, a regularly occurring entrepreneurial training event held in the DFW area. The very first STARTCamp will happen on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2000.  This camp is open only to members of STARTech's Entrepreneurial Network - EntreNet - and will be free for all pre-registered attendees.  Subsequent STARTCamps will be open to everyone for a fee.  The seminar speaker panel will be comprised of several North Texas influential business leaders, who will talk on the state of business in DFW, and the proper steps to take for new entrepreneurs to enter and succeed in the business market of the next millennium. Members from the Venture Capital community, Telecom Corridor, the Business Law community, and the STARTech Family including entrepreneurs that have been funded will all be giving presentations.  STARTCamp 1 will be a 3-hour event with a 30-minute networking break held at the Grand Hall, Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson, TX  75080.  Presentation materials, light meal and deserts will be provided to all in attendance.  Due to the very high demand for STARTech events, pre-registration will be required for attendance (no walk-ins will be entertained), and space is limited.  Pre-Registration will only be conducted via the Internet (telephone, fax, US Mail, and e-mail registration will not be accepted).  Registration deadline: STARTech will cut off pre-registration on January 27, 2000 at 4 pm.  For more information and pre-registration form click on:  http://www.startech.org/startcamp.htm.

JANUARY 2000 MEETING

Date:  Monday, January 10, 2000
Topic:  Practicing Consultant's Roundtable
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner Beltline and US 75)

Program:  Practicing consultants will give a short discussion of their practices, followed by a Question & Answer session to answer questions about current problems, practices, and new procedures.

NOVEMBER 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, November 8, 1999
Topic:  "Valuation of Professional Firms"
Speaker:  Michael Conroy, Business Evaluation Services, Inc.
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner Beltline and US 75)

Program:  What is your professional practice worth?   This is a question most business owners don’t think of everyday.   Professional firms usually have fewer tangible assets than most small businesses.   The value in professional firms lies with the intangible assets, such as customer relationships and specially-trained employees.  Other topics covered during the presentation will include, growing value in professional firms, exit/sale strategies, personal goodwill vs. professional goodwill.
Background:  Mr. Conroy is an analyst with Business Valuation Services, Inc. in Dallas.  He has valued a range of securities, including common stock, options, and partnership interests for a variety of purposes including transactions, gift and estate taxes, and litigation.  He received his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1991, his Advanced Studies Diploma in Acoustics from Universite de Compiegne, France in 1992 and his MBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University in 1998.  Mr. Conroy also served  as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji from 1993 to 1995.

OCTOBER 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, October 11, 1999
Topic:  "Being An Expert Legal Witness"
Speaker:  Richard Levine, Beta Scientific Laboratory, Inc.
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner Beltline and US 75)

Program:   There is an increasing demand for expert witnesses in legal cases which involve patents, trade secrets, and engineering technology related to both civil and criminal cases.  Expert witnesses are people who have knowledge or experience not obvious to the ordinary person, usually in medical, scientific, or technological specialties.  Questions such as, why patents and patent litigation have become so important in recent years, what qualifications are desirable for an expert witness, how to bring your qualifications to the attention of legal attorneys, ethical and conflict issues, and review of a typical legal case.

SEPTEMBER 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, September 13, 1999
Topic:  Getting Smart About Intellectual Property
Speaker:  Jay B. Johnson, Attorney at Law, Baker and Botts, L.L.P.
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center (SW corner Beltline and US 75)

Program:  Engineers are often confronted with the concept of "intellectual property". By definition, this is a relatively abstract concept. To put it in context, intellectual property can take many forms including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, often the cornerstones of a company's intellectual property portfolio. Intellectual property can impact an engineer in many ways relating to professional development, performance ratings, advancement within a company, financial rewards, and restrictions on future employment. Because intellectual property is such a significant part of an engineer's career, each engineer should spend some time getting familiar with the various types of intellectual property.
Background:  Mr. Johnson practices in all areas of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition. He has obtained patents for clients in a variety of technology areas such as electronics, telecommunications, medical equipment, and is an officer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Intellectual Property Law Association.

AUGUST 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, August 9, 1999
Topic:  Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Speaker:  Debra Nelson, Real Solutions, Inc.
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center; SW corner Beltline and US 75

Program:  Ms. Nelson will present a look back on the first two years of her new business. She will provide examples of applying your knowledge, doing the work, keeping the job, collecting the money, time scheduling, negotiating with co-workers and customers, and much more.

JULY 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, July 12, 1999
Topic:  Selling through Networking in the Technical Business Community
Speaker:  Debbie Mrazek
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center; SW corner Beltline and US 75

Program:  More than 50% of business in America is done through word of mouth. What are you doing to capitalize on this valuable business development method? Networking is one key to increasing word of mouth referrals. A memorable introduction is equally important. Networking and memorable introduction techniques are skills that can be learned and improved. Come prepared to look at networking in a new light and practice your introductions. Leave with ideas to increase your business through word of mouth.
Background:  Debbie Mrazek serves as a resource to high tech companies facing the challenges of bringing products to market on time and within budget. With more than 20 years of experience, she has an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the manufacturing process (from concept to design to final productions), relationships with the key players that make up this industry, and a reputation of knowing who to call to get the job done.

JUNE 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, June 14, 1999
Topic: The Challenge and Dynamics for Growing Your Technology Business
Speaker: Betty Hsu
Location:  Juan’s Cantina, Richardson Heights Shopping Center; SW corner Beltline and US75

Program: Presentation will begin with background of Galasys, a small Richardson-based technology company, including challenges faced as the small firm continues to grow. The initial and on-going success of the company will be analyzed with examples given for the lessons learned along the way. In addition, the discussion will cover business vision, market changes, and the next step for your business.
Background:  Ms. Hsu serves as the Vice President of marketing for Galasys, a systems integrator which provides information technology services for small and medium sized businesses. The company provides PC networking, LAN/WAN, telephony, AS/400 and enterprise solutions. Betty Hsu has a BS in Chemistry and Biology from the University of South Alabama and a Medical Technology Diploma. Prior to exercising her entrepreneurial spirit, she served 10 years in the health care industry.

1999 ANNUAL BANQUET

Date:  Saturday, May 22, 1999
Topic:  Annual IEEE Dallas Section Awards Banquet and Networking Event
Location:  Sheraton Park Central Hotel; 7750 LBJ Freeway at Coit; 972-233-4421
Cost:  $7.50/person prior to May 1; $12.50/person at the door

Program:  Recognition of the Consultants Network Outstanding Member, as well as awardees from the various IEEE societies and the Dallas Section.
Background:  As one of the benefits of the organization, the members of the Consultants Network are invited to join the IEEE Section in this unique networking opportunity. Besides recognizing outstanding members and sharing a good meal, attendees will also be able to participate in an event scheduled to provide a different learning and/or entertainment experience.  Casino Night entertainment is planned with raffle prizes after the conclusion of the program.

MAY 1999 MEETING

Date:  Monday, May 11, 1999
Topic:  Annual Networking and Organization Business Meeting
Speaker:  Jerry Bylander, et al

Program:  Members and guests will have this opportunity to exchange consulting experiences and to discuss plans for future programs and events. Following a tradition established in earlier meetings, the members and guests of the Consultants’ Network will exchange lessons learned from their practices. This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for practicing consultants to learn new tricks of the trade from peers; for clients of consultants to provide insight into their requirements; for contracting firms to share their expertise on ways to enhance contracting opportunities; and for those considering career alternatives to learn from others. New officers will be installed.
Background:  Last meeting of the "official" year. Programs will continue throughout the summer with new officers leading the organization.

APRIL 1999 MEETING

Date: Monday, April 12, 1999
Topic: Selling Yourself and Your Consultant Services
Speaker: Maura Schrier-Fleming; Strategic Selling

Program: Whether working for industry or as a consultant, the first priority of an individual in today’s economic climate is to recognize the need for selling yourself and to develop the necessary skills for this attribute. These selling attributes can then be expanded toward selling a product, industry, or consultant services. Ms. Schrier-Fleming will introduce us to skills related to creating and maintaining rapport, listening, and questioning. She will provide examples from her industry experience which includes development of a sales strategy that maximized profitability and volume of industrial and fleet lubricant sales to large and small manufacturers, distributors, fleets, contractors, and quarries.
Resume: Unlike many training consultants, Ms. Schrier-Fleming understands industry and technologists because she has worked in industry as an engineer. Maura began her career as a lubrication engineer with Mobil Oil and leveraged training assignments toward technical assistance to sales and subsequently became a sales engineer. After working with Mobil for awhile, she accepted a position with Chevron where she eventually became territory manager for the Houston District. Maura has an MS in textile engineering from Georgia Tech and a BS in textile chemistry from Cornell.

Date: Monday, March 8, 1999
Topic: Attract and Keep Clients with Creative Marketing Strategies
Speaker: Bruce Blais

Program: Bruce Blais, one of the founders of the Orlando, FL and Dallas, TX Consultants Networks, will share his marketing experience and tactics with attendees. Most of his techniques have been learned on-the-job and/or through networking with others. Bruce will describe marketing attempts which did not produce, as well as his most profitable techniques.

Date: Monday, February 8, 1999
Topic: Setting Up an Office for Consulting Success - Getting Ready for Business
Speaker: David Somers, CPA

Program: A practicing consultant since 1979, David Somers will share expertise gathered from setting up offices for himself and others. He will discuss everything from budgeting for your needs, selecting capital equipment, marketing material, through managing time. He will primarily concentrate on the needs of a small homebased business, but will also address expansion to commercial facilities.
Resume: David Somers is a Richardson CPA whose firm practices in the area of emerging businesses and entrepreneurial formations. David's firm has done work with Internet providers, computer retailers, SAP consultants, ATM development firms, chip firms, and software firms to name a few. Prior to founding his firm in 1979, David was the controller of a personal holding company with two subsidiaries and served as financial vice president of a North American Soccer Club. David received his MBA from the University of Texas in Austin and wrote his thesis in Entrepreneurial Formations: Why people start a business. David presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Richardson YWCA.

Date: Monday, January 11, 1999
Topic: So You Want To Be A Consultant?
Speaker: Jim Pyeatt

Program: This program is the first in a series of four monthly meetings which will focus on some of the basic elements related to have a successful consulting practice. The series will provide new ideas for those already out on their own as well as those contemplating a career change. Mr. Pyeatt will begin the series by providing insight into issues related to establishing and maintaining a consulting practice. Beginning with an overview of some of the characteristics which successful consultants must possess, he will walk us through the process of starting a business and some of the pitfalls to avoid. His presentation will include numerous stories from his ups and downs as an individual practitioner.
Resume: Jim Pyeatt has broad-range experience in the accounting profession with an emphasis on management and financial systems consulting with small businesses and high tech start- ups. He is an aerospace systems engineer with operations research, specification, design, and testing experience on a variety of development programs with LTV Aerospace, General Dynamics, and E-Systems.

1998 HOLIDAY PARTY

Date: December 11, 1998
Topic: Holiday Networking Event
Hosts: Bob and Virginia Powers

Background: This annual holiday gathering provides an opportunity for increasing knowledge of individual practices and careers, developing new leads for projects, and/or just getting to know each other better. Call for directions to location.

NOVEMBER 1998 MEETING

Date: Monday, November 9, 1998
Topic: How to Leverage Membership in the Chamber of Commerce
Speaker: Bob Nelson, Executive Board Member, Richardson Chamber of Commerce

Program: Mr. Nelson will provide insight on how the Consultants Network and its members can leverage membership in organizations such as the Richardson Chamber of Commerce for improving volunteer activities, as well as obtaining leads for new business. He will address opportunities for the organization, for IEEE, for employees of large corporations, and for individual consultants.
Resume: Mr. Nelson has a varied business background that includes several years of retail store management and participation in the opening of the first K Mart. He is presently owner of Bob Nelson & Associates, specialists in imprinted promotional products.

OCTOBER 1998 MEETING

Date: Monday, October 12, 1998
Topic: Reality Bytes: GenX Managers and the Consultants they Hire
Speaker: Terri Adkisson, TESSERACT consulting

Program: Ms. Adkisson will share her observations on how the latest generation of corporate managers differs from those in the past and what this means for technical consultants.
Resume: Terri Adkisson left the corporate world 5 years ago, after strong resistance to being Dilbertized, and refusing the required management lobotomy. She feels a sense of humor and the ability to translate between the foreign languages of technology and business are the best survival tools, other than a crystal ball, that any free-lance professional can have for forecasting the unexpected.

Date: Monday, September 14, 1998
Topic: Resume Success for Experienced Engineers and Managers
Speaker: Jacqueline Montgomery

Program: Jacqueline Montgomery, technical recruiter for Management Recruiters, will share ideas for finding an approach for making your resume stand out from the crowd. Discussions will include content and format, as well as how to position your resume for computer screening. She will also discuss how experienced engineers who may not have a perfect match with advertised needs can better describe how they can do the job, bringing the pluses of a varied background.

AUGUST 1998 MEETING

Date: Monday, August 10, 1998
Topic: How Consultants and Contractors Can do Business with Large Companies
Speaker: Dan Arroyo, Nortel Purchasing Manager

Program: Mr. Arroyo and an associate will provide background on Nortel and the role of its purchasing organization. He will focus on how small businesses and consultants can get business through Nortel and similar large corporations. Discussion will include small business and minority/women business initiatives.

JULY 1998 MEETING

Date: Monday, July 13, 1998
Topic: Business Planning for Consultants and Wannabe Consultants
Speaker: Robert B. Bishop, Jr.

Program: An important step in insuring the success of your business is the preparation of a well thought out business plan. Our speaker will discuss how: Your planning will begin by establishing your business and personal objective(s). Next you will establish your markets and competition and complementors. The estimated market size then, along with the elements of your overhead, will allow you to start your fee estimation. Our speaker will emphasize the criticality of these first steps and show you how to start them. You further will consider your planned income and compare it to the fee estimates. Other elements will show you how to consider include: planned growth, key support elements-legal, accounting, professional, managerial-the selection of an advisory group, identifying needed personnel, and the selection of your advisory group.
Resume: Bob has many years of experience in business, government, and with the IEEE as a manager and as and an electrical engineer. He worked for the DOD at Ft. Belvoir, at SystemSciences Corp. and at Western Electric. Bob is the founder of the IEEE Dallas Management Society and he is currently with Mutual of New York.

JUNE 1998 MEETING

Date: Monday, June 8, 1998
Topic: Opportunities for Consultants and Other Entrepreneurs at StarTech
Speaker: Matthew Blanton, STARTech president

Program: STARTech is a for-profit corporation which was created by the Telecom Business Council of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce as a means for creating more high-tech companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Mr. Blanton will talk about the creation of STARTech, its mission, and how STARTech works with selectec start-up companies during the incubation period. He will also discuss how STARTech provides expertise in marketing, legal, accounting, and engineering services during the start-up interval and the role which consultants might play.
Resume: Matthew S. Blanton received his BSEE from Texas A&M and MSEE from SMU. He has more than 20 years experience in the computer industry including serving in engineering management at HP, Data General, and IBM. Mr. Blanton also served as president of Vadis, Inc. and VP of Research at Convex Computer Corporation. He was recently appointed as CEO and President of STARTech. STARTech is a unique incubator concept designed to assist the formation, growth, and success of high technology start-up companies.