LORI A. SMITH
REGIONAL NETWORK DIRECTOR, WITI LAS VEGAS
CLIENT BUSINESS MANAGER, AT&T
lsmith@corp.witi.com
Lori has over 16 years in the telecommunications and technology field, working first hand on the needs and solutions of clients. She received her Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida in 1989. She joined AT&T shortly following and has carried a number of positions in management and customer facing roles. She received her graduate degree, an MBA from UNLV, in 1994. Her education and experience combine to provide an excellent resource for clients. Her interests are assisting in philanthropic needs throughout the community with specific focus on children. She has two children, ages 7 and 9, and a husband of 12 years. She enjoys traveling, squash, and spending time with her family.
CHERISSE NICASTRO
NETWORK COORDINATOR, WITI LAS VEGAS
VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, TRIRIGA
Cher has been involved with the information technology and building industries for 17 years and has been involved in the development of the TRIRIGA product line since its inception. In her current position, Cher leads Customer Programs within TRIRIGA focusing on assuring every customer is receiving the tools and support necessary to accomplish their objectives and goals. Cher promotes focus and coordinates efforts toward Customer Success from each department in TRIRIGA. Cher's responsibilities include leading the customer support team, tracking customer references, escalation of any customer issues, and celebrating customers' successes. Additionally, with the product and technology expertise that Cher brings to the team, she continues to be a primary contributor to the design and delivery of TRIRIGA solutions.
Cher was one of the founding members of the TRIRIGA team. Cher has also held the position of VP Product Development, VP European Product Development, and VP Application Services. She has been a hands-on manager in the development and direction of the all the TRIRIGA product offerings. She has had direct responsibility for leading the application building teams to produce TRIRIGA's shipping products and well as in the Professional Services group in constructing highly customized solutions for TRIRIGA customers.
Previously Cher served as Manager of Automation Technologies for ESS Engineering, Inc., a Comfort Systems USA company (NYSE: FIX), prior to joining TRIRIGA. During her time at ESS, Cher developed a number of innovative technical solutions for the building and facilities industry. Her responsibilities included design, construction management, engineering analysis and software solutions for multi-building, real-time energy management systems (EMS), end-use monitoring and reporting systems, energy efficiency studies, and integrated building management systems (BMS). Cher also served on ASHRAE's BACnet committee and was published by EPRI while at ESS Engineering.
Cher has a BSE degree in Computer System Engineering from Arizona State University and an MBA degree specializing in technology management from the University of Phoenix.
MYRNA SOTO
REGIONAL ALLIANCE CHAIR, WITI LAS VEGAS
CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER, MGM MIRAGE
Myrna Soto is Vice President of Information Technology Governance & CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) for MGM MIRAGE. Her areas of executive responsibility include all facets of Information Security, IT Audit, Technology Compliance, Risk Management, Business Analysis, PMO (Project Management Office) and Governance. She is responsible for the design and development of a comprehensive Information Security program within MGM MIRAGE. She is currently executing against a comprehensive strategy to maximize the company's Information Security posture and minimize risk for the enterprise. Myrna is also a Corporate Diversity Champion.
Myrna joined the company in 2004 as Corporate Director of Solutions for Mandalay Resort Group (which merged with MGM MIRAGE in early 2005). She went on to serve as Vice President of IT Business Solutions & PMO in 2005, where she designed and deployed a comprehensive Business Solutions practice within IT to include several technology verticals including Hotel Solutions, Casino Solutions, Point of Sale/Retail Solutions, Finance Solutions and HR Solutions. In addition to the solutions practice, she successfully designed and implemented a formal PMO Governance structure within MGM MIRAGE Information Technology, which included the investment and deployment of a PPM/PMO suite of tools, a formal Project Management Framework and Governance model. This was the first of its kind at MGM MIRAGE. She has served as the Vice President of IT Governance & CISO since early 2007.
Prior to joining MGM MIRAGE, Myrna served as Senior Corporate Director of Strategic Projects/PMO for Broadspire, a division of Kemper Insurance Companies. She also served in senior technology leadership roles for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and American Express, all of which concentrated on Information Technology Strategy and Development. She began her career with Norwegian Cruise Lines where she held several operational management roles.
Myrna holds a bachelor's degree from Florida International University as well as a Master of Science and a Master of Business Administration degree(s) from Nova Southeastern University, where she attended in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Myrna also holds a Masters Certification in Project Management from George Washington University and is a Certified Project Management Professional. Myrna has been in Las Vegas since mid 2004, moving here from South Florida.
JAMYE CHAMBERS
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR, WITI LAS VEGAS
REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, EXTREME NETWORKS
Jamye is the Extreme Networks sales manager covering Nevada and Utah. Prior to joining Extreme, she drove Dell's strategic business initiatives for eleven years, focusing primarily on the Las Vegas market. During her tenure at Dell, she was frequently recognized for sales excellence, most recently with the 2005 Corporate Account Executive of the Year award. Previously, she managed technical and educational services contracts for UNIX System Laboratories. While at UNIX System Labs, she had the benefit and advantage of working within the same department as her father, who became her lifelong mentor and role model in the world of business technology. With a strong belief in the value of education and training, she looks forward to leveraging the WITI network to build outreach programs into the local school systems and women's groups that will help provide professional female role models in Las Vegas. Jamye is a self-described feminist and a voracious reader with interests including archaeology, theology, women's studies, and Constitutional Law. She enjoys writing, singing, travel and cooking whenever possible.
KIM SARUBBI
PROGRAM CHAIR, WITI LAS VEGAS
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CRESCENT SOLUTIONS
Kimberly is a savvy Sales and Marketing executive with 13 years of experience managing advertising sales for television production. Recruited out of the University of Central Florida where she majored in Business with a focus on Corporate Organization and Development while also being a member or ARMY ROTC and fulfilling her duties as Miss UCF 1993. Sarubbi was charged with the responsibility of establishing the trade show sales program for the newly emerging "My Pet TV" (MPTV). MPTV, a producer of pet programming based at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida put a half dozen TV series, including the highly successful "Petsville Shopping Club on QVC", into syndication during her tenure. Each of these TV series was sponsored by anchor advertisers secured by Sarubbi. When MPTV was sold to a group of LA investors, Sarubbi relocated to Los Angeles, California to personally supervise a seamless transition for her advertisers. While directing this transition, Sarubbi sourced product for "Petsville Shopping Club" hosted by veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber. "Petsville Shopping Club", which transitioned from its QVC roots to television syndication, boosted both advertising and product sales for its revenue lines. In 2004 Ms. Sarubbi's became pregnant and decided to make a change in careers, joining Crescent Enterprise Solutions. Crescent combines business expertise on key areas of compliance and governance with enterprise focus on Data Center Consolidation and Optimization, Identity Management, Custom Application Development, Business Application Platform Support, and Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) to deliver unparalleled value to its customers. Crescent differentiates itself by its solutions, its own intellectual property, superior teams of high-end resources, its extensive case studies and references, and core Sun relationships. Crescent Enterprise Solutions has the unique capability to staff the project needs through Crescent Solutions, Inc. a full service Staffing Company. Responsibilities for Sarubbi include to fulfill the growth and revenue goals of the organization while implementing business development, sales, marketing and PR strategies that will allow the organization to acquire new customers and retain existing accounts in the Las Vegas Market.
CYNTHIA LOPEZ
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR, WITI LAS VEGAS
PARTNER, RESOURCEXTEND PROFESSIONAL SEARCH & CONSULTING
Cynthia Lopez has provided Professional Services to some of America's top Corporations and Government Agencies at the Federal, State, and local level. Cynthia has over 17 years experience in the Staffing industry to include experiences in recruitment, sales, operations, management and contract negotiations. She has provided IT, Accounting, and HR staffing solutions to commercial and government clients nationwide as well as locally in Las Vegas, NV. Cynthia is currently a Partner with ResourceXtend Professional Search & Consulting and has also served on the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Cynthia has two sons, ages 16 & 7, enjoys volunteering, traveling, cooking and being a soccer mom.