Frank Abbruzzese – President, AlphaKOR Group Inc.

Frank is the President of AlphaKOR Group Inc. based in Windsor, ON. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Windsor (1988) and has 22 years of senior sales and management experience in the IT sector.

As President of AlphaKOR, Frank’s roles include vision and overall direction of the company, as well as managing the corporate team.

Aside from sitting on the Board of Directors for SAN, Frank is also actively involved in the Steering Committee and Membership Committee.

Frank has demonstrated his interest in serving the community personally and professionally by participating in the Windsor Better Business Bureau (Board Director 2000 – 2009, past Treasurer and Vice Chair), Windsor Executives Association (President 2002), and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce – Challenge Cup Committee (Chair 2000, 2001). AlphaKOR is a member of the Canadian Mould Makers Association, and the Windsor Construction Association. Frank also played an active role on the Old Riverside BIA, serving as the Vice-Chair of the association and supported/participated in a wide range of events to support local residents and organizations throughout the year.

Recently AlphaKOR was named Service Company of the Year.

Rob M. Courteaux – CEO / President – Progressive Software International Inc (PSI Inc)

With over 25 years experience in the Software industry, Rob has a proven track record of success in his career for driving resource efficiency and productivity. Rob has consistently demonstrated a strong skill set in establishing strategic direction and exceeding established goals.

In the 8 quarters prior to his acquisition of PSI in 1990, the company had not reported a profitable quarter. After his second quarter as CEO and every quarter since then, PSA has reported profits. Aside from his interests in PSI, Rob is actively involved in private investment opportunities and has exercised subscriptions in multiple sectors.

While sitting as President of the Softech Alliance and also sitting on the Board of Directors, Rob also actively participates in the Steering Committee and is also Co-Chair of the Liaison Committee.

Adam J. Davis, President – Next Dimension Inc.

Adam has a comprehensive systems design and implementation background which includes a number of industry specific certifications. Throughout his career Adam has a demonstrated a natural spirit of entrepreneurialism and a natural head for business, having gained a vast amount of insight and functional experience in finance and business through various startup companies that he helped establish.

Established in 1997, Next Dimension Inc. is a regional IT Services Provider based in Windsor. As president and co-founder, Adam is responsible for the overall Sales and Administration side of the business which includes managing a team of IT Professionals in Windsor, London and Detroit.

While sitting on the Softech Alliance Board, Adam also participates in various SAN committees (Steering Committee, Program Committee, Communications Committee), Adam is also currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce (where he chairs the Business Excellence Awards Committee) and the Advisory Committee of Leadership Windsor/Essex (helping to promote and encourage outstanding community leadership by developing the leadership capabilities of citizens who care about the community.) Aside from these locally focused activities, Adam is also a member of the Cisco Small Business Communications Advisory Council for Canada, as well as a member of the Venture Tech Network, and HTG Peer Groups – both peer groups promote the collaboration of IT companies across Canada.

Ross Rawlings – President, CEO, Chairman – Radix Controls Inc.

Ross Rawlings is the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Radix Controls. He holds and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree and B.A. from the University of Windsor and has over 20 years experience in designing & delivering automation solutions for manufacturers based on advanced software solutions and the newest technologies.

After working in Canada for Ford Motor Co., Canada and in Germany for Laempe GmbH, he founded Radix Controls in 1994 with a goal of applying computer-based solutions to industrial systems. Radix provides innovative custom solutions for quality control, process improvement, traceability and efficiency to world class companies in Canada, the US and Mexico. The company’s success has resulted in them being recognized by Microsoft as one of the fastest growing independent software vendors in North America and by Profit Magazine as one of Canada’s Profit 100 Fastest Growing Companies.
Aside from sitting on the Board of Directors, Ross sits on the Executive Steering Committee. In addition to his work with the Softech Alliance, Ross also serves on the Board of Directors for Onco-Screen, a bio-tech startup, and also serves on the St Clair College Electronics Engineering Technology External Review Committee.

Saverio Rinaldi – Chief Architect HP – GMAC

Saverio has a proven track record of success throughout his career in the IT industry. In his current role as the Chief Architect of the HP Enterprise Services GMAC LLC Account, Saverio brings 33 years of information technology experience. He is an HP Distinguished Technologist and a Distinguished IT Architect certified by The Open Group. As the Chief Architect of the HP Enterprise Services GMAC account, Saverio is responsible and accountable for the global technical direction of one of HP’s largest financial services accounts, and he provides leadership and direction to 40 Senior Architects and 120 Project Technical Leaders. Saverio is also a member of the HP Enterprise Services GM Enterprise Technology Office.

Saverio is currently involved in a number of HP Corporate initiatives: Co-Chair of the Financial Services Industry (FSI) University, member of the FSI Technical Leaders Network, and member of the FSI Innovation Network. Saverio is the past chair of the HP TOGAF Community.

Saverio serves as the Secretary/Treasurer on the Softech Alliance Board of Directors, is Co-Chair of the Finance Committee and also sits on the Program Committee. In addition to his activities in the Softech Alliance, Saverio is a founding member and Vice-chair of the Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA), Michigan Chapter. He is also on the Board of Directors for the University of Windsor Alumni Association.

Stuart J. Sutton, President – Sylectus (a division of GPSNet Technologies Inc)

Stuart Sutton is president of GPSNet Technologies Inc., with offices in Woodhaven, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. Mr. Sutton holds an Honors Computer Science degree from the University of Waterloo (1981) and a Masters of Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Windsor (1991) where he was on the Deans Honor Roll. He has worked in the automotive (General Motors), Natural Gas Distribution, Warehousing and Construction industries before joining a large international trucking company in 1995 as their VP of Information Technology.

In 2001 he co-founded GPSNet Technologies Inc. which is the leading supplier of transportation technology for the time sensitive expedite and truck load industry in North America. GPSNet's vision was rather unique -- take a group of competing companies that share similar business issues and get them to make more money by selling each other's products.

Mr. Sutton has won many academic, athletic and business awards during his lifetime, some of which have been at the National level. His most recent being named “Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Windsor and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards in 2008.

Mr. Sutton plays an active role in the community and does speaking engagements across North America for various groups. He also speaks at local high schools with regards to entrepreneurship and successful business building.

In addition to building and operating his successful multi-national software company, Mr. Sutton also participates on many executive committees and boards of directors. This includes:

• Board member, Softech Alliance Network (www.softechalliance.ca)
• Committee chair, Softech Alliance Network, Program Committee
• Lifetime Board Member, The Expedite Alliance of North America (www.teana.com)
• Committee Member, Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce, Transportation Policy Committee
• Board Member, The Shaw Alliance (www.shawalliance.ca)

Rakesh Naidu – Director for Business Attraction – Windsor-Essex Economic Development Commission

Rakesh Naidu is the Director for Business Attraction at the Windsor-Essex Development Commission. Rakesh holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Post-Graduate diploma in Business Management. Rakesh has previously worked in Environmental Engineering, Automotive, and Management Consulting firms

As the Director of Business Attraction, Rakesh is responsible for initiating and executing the strategy and activities to attract, support and facilitate new investment in the region. He works closely with the leaders in the industry and different sector heads to identify and maximize the potential in each sector. He coordinates attraction activities with other government departments, consultants and organizations, as appropriate, to ensure the broad level of support for new investment. .

Aside from serving as the Vice President on the Softech Alliance Board of directors, Rakesh is also President of The Art of Living Foundation, Windsor and founding member of Global India Development Foundation and member of Wind Advisory Committee at St. Clair College.

Dr. John A. Strasser – President, St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology

Dr. Strasser has more than 30 years experience as a senior business executive, technical manager, research scientist and university lecturer. He has authored or co-authored dozens of papers presented at national and international conferences and symposiums, and has served on the Boards of numerous business, education and government bodies. A respected scientist, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum in 1999. In 2002 he was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal for his contribution to education and the community.

Originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Dr. Strasser is a life-long learner and his degrees include a Master of Science from Pennsylvania State University and a Doctorate in Metallurgical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia.

Dr. Alan Wildeman – President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Windsor

Alan Wildeman was appointed as the University of Windsor’s sixth President and Vice-Chancellor on June 30, 2008. Dr. Wildeman was appointed Vice-President (Research) of the University of Guelph in July, 2001. He earned a PhD in Genetics from the University of Guelph in 1982.

Throughout his career, his research interests have focused on various aspects of cancer cell biology and biotechnology. He was awarded a NATO fellowship for postdoctoral work in France, and served for many years on review panels for the Medical Research Council and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

He has served as chair of the Ontario Council on University Research, on advisory committees for a number of national research centres, and currently serves on the board of BIOTECanada. He is actively engaged in strategic community initiatives, including serving on the Guelph Economic Development Advisory Council.
He has a strong commitment to the importance of universities as places where learning, discovery and creativity in all disciplines make essential contributions to society.