2022 Emerging Trends Edition

Chris Farr specializes in XR & IoT Digital Transformation Solutions for Training, Simulation and Job Performance Tools | Workflows for Automated Systems.

XR Pro is the hub for the Immersive Technology Production. Providing solutions for Commercial and Government industries by connecting, guiding and supporting Extended Reality Vendors through Education, Insight and Resource Management.

Mr. Pugh has over 25 years of experience in delivering wired/wireless strategies, end to end platform development and deployment of networking technologies for several private and public companies. Most recently over the past 7 years, working with cities on strategies for executing Smart City initiatives around Street lights, Smart Parking, Intelligent Traffic, Digital Twins and Security best practices.

About the company - Smart Connections Consulting - https://www.smartconnections.io/

Smart Connections Consulting LLC is responsible for delivering to its Private and Public-Sector clients technological thought leadership, guidance and practical best in class practice for solving their wired or wireless connected initiatives as well as roadmaps for open data and analytic objectives in the Smart Grid and Smart City markets.

My objectives are to build strong international fora of key stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices about choice and use of innovative (primarily end-user) technologies in the fields of telecommunications, media and entertainment. My major focus areas currently are Internet of Things (IOT)/machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and device/application/service management and security. In the case of the latter, I am particularly interested in tracking the requirements of major stakeholders such as enterprises, carriers and end users.

I have over 20 years' experience in telecoms and IT, across a range of functional areas including strategic consulting (Gartner, Ovum), business strategy, sales/business development, marketing, product management and operations (BT, Nortel, Alcatel).

I have been a frequent chairman and speaker at international conferences on topics such as M2M, embedded connectivity, mobile device management, mobile device security, push-to-talk, IMS and fixed mobile convergence. Also, I have written for a number of industry publications such as GSM World Focus, Total Telecom, Mobile Europe and GSM 3G Vision.

Specialties:

Mobile device management, Internet of Things (IOT), machine-to machine (M2M) communication mobile device security, mobile application management, mobile messaging, mobile service management, IMS and fixed mobile convergence.

Market research & analysis, strategic consulting, strategic marketing, investment appraisal, due diligence, vendor & product selection, competitive analysis & competitive strategy, bid strategy & bid management.

Raj is an Advisory Board Member at several blockchain companies and the Founder and Chairman of the India Blockchain Alliance, the largest Indian emerging technology tech think tank. He is an accomplished Tech innovation professional, Drupal Web Application Developer, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Educator, Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP), Blockchain Solution Architect, Community organizer and friend of disruptive ideas, protem Chairman for Organization of Blockchain Technology Users (OBTU). I'm also the Asia Lead, Technology & Innovation at Blockspace Technologies ltd. and Advisor of Techbuild Innovation Partners.

Raj has helped organize India's biggest Blockchain and Cryptocurrency events across major cities . Raj has also spoken at several international seminars and conferences in Boston

LA, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore, Durban, Nicosia and Vienna.

Raj regularly speak in Tech events in India, Africa, Malaysia and Canada. Besides blockchain, Raj is skilled in AI, Robotics, Cyber Security. IoT, and Cloud Computing Raj is also a regular contributor to several technology publications including Times Tech India.

His organization, IBA is the official blockchain partner at the Africa Tech week 2020.

Raj was also selected this year as a top cryptocurrency and blockchain influencer by Asian Market Cap. Raj is also mentoring 20+ blockchain startups across the globe.

Having received advanced degrees in secondary education, Joe began a ten-year career as a high school teacher providing instruction in economics, Spanish, Bible, and computers. While in his teaching career, he furthered his graduate education, earning a doctorate in education with a double-minor in computers and theology. His career focus changed to IT in the early 1990’s when he started as a Computer Consultant at NC State University. Three promotions later, Dr. Perez ended his successful 25-year career at NC State as Business Intelligence Specialist when he took another promotion to become Senior Business Analyst at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) in the fall of 2017 and has since been promoted to Senior Systems Analyst and Team Lead. In addition to his full-time analytics/BI leadership role at DHHS, Joe was named Chief Technology Officer at a North Carolina corporation in October 2020. With more than 11,000 followers on LinkedIn and several professional certifications, Perez has stayed active in the IT, HHS, and higher education communities as a much sought-after resource, highly-recommended international keynote speaker, data analytics & visualization expert, and specialist in efficiency and process improvement. In 2020 alone, Perez spoke at more than two dozen conferences hosted by nine different countries on five continents. The high demand for his expertise has not diminished, as he has more than 30 speaking engagements for 2021.

Through the years, Dr. Perez has never lost his love for teaching, having been a guest speaker for many organizations and internationally-recognized podcasts. When he takes a break from work and speaking, he enjoys spending time with his wife of more than 30 years and their children, whom he says are the "best things that ever happened to me." He also sings, plays the piano, composes songs, and has performed PSA's and voice-overs for schools and other organizations. He also serves as music director to his church’s Hispanic ministry, teaches one of their Bible study classes, and interprets sermons to Spanish or English, depending upon the audience. If there's any spare time left, he enjoys publishing a monthly military newsletter (as Editor-in-Chief of The Patriot News), working out in the gym, and catching up on Star Trek reruns. "It’s a busy life indeed, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I’m a firm believer that if I’m not innovating, then I’m stagnating," says Joe.

Jeff Winter is an Industry Executive for Manufacturing with Microsoft where he acts as an industry advisor helping manufacturers across the US digitally transform at scale. With over 15 years of experience working for different industrial automation product and solution providers, Jeff has a unique ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to a wide range of audiences, educating and inspiring people from the shop floor up to the executive board room. As part of his experience, Jeff is also very active in the community of Industry 4.0.

Tiffani Neilson has extensive marketing, branding, and PR experience, as well as deep knowledge about IoT, LPWA, and many other technologies. Tiffani’s passion for delivering excellence is second to none and evident in her skillful ability to transition projects from strategy to seamless execution. Highly skilled in forming partnerships and developing strategic relationships, Tiffani aligns marketing initiatives with business goals to generate interest, demand, and recognition for businesses and their products. Her C-level experience in business, along with her background in product development, event management, and communications help Tiffani position brands as industry leaders and drive ROI.