AAIE

Mary Darling is CEO and managing principal as well as a UAS pilot at Darling Geomatics.  She is responsible for finances, business development and the high tech corporate culture.  She has grown the high tech survey business into a global corporation with 3D scanning projects in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Canada; survey projects in Honduras and Mexico as well as drone, survey and 3D projects in virtually all 50 states.

IT Director with industry and agency experience in project management, vendor management, Software Life Development Lifecycle( SDLC), IT staff development, change management, technology mentoring, and business process improvement. Experience developing teams and team members to reach their potential or learn new skills, and providing communication planning, change management, and project implementations for a mature PMO organization. 

Technology services for companies looking to expand operations globally.

Kirk Busch is the CEO of BigData Southwest and Chairman of Az4Solar. Org. Mr. Busch has over 25 years of experience in the Global Semiconductor Industry. For the last decade, Kirk has focused on Economic Development in the Energy and Data Center industries. Kirk currently serves on the Board of AzSTEM, Past Co Chair & current member of the IoT Committee of the Arizona Technology Council & Chairs the Data Center Advisory Board of the Arizona Energy Consortium.

I'm an opportunity generator and resource connector.  I help organizations scale through strategic planning, business development, events, connections and people!   I founded Alimental Business after taking some time away from working in the global events industry. I was tired of being on the road and in a new country every month.   I wanted to reconnect with my local community and make a difference.  I was lucky enough to connect with CEI and help be on the ground floor to launch Venture Cafe Phoenix as the director.  While Venture Cafe is my passion project, I've also been working with large to mid-sized organizations to help them scale their business through business development, sales trainings, new product launch, event strategies, strategic partnerships, employee recruitment and employee retention.   If I don't have the skill set needed to help you, I can guarantee I know someone who does!     

Dedicated to the advancement of technology and education. 
Charles D Wickens, CCE currently serves as Mayo Clinic’s Section Head Leader for the Healthcare Technology Management Division.  Charles previously served in various leadership roles in medical technology design, manufacturing, and with Massachusetts General Hospital.   Charles earned his undergraduate engineering degree at Northeastern University and advanced degree at Villanova University.   Charles is an Internationally Certified Clinical Engineer, is actively involved in peer reviewed publications as well as serves as an Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University and Maricopa Community College.  Charles enjoys chatting about engineering with grammar school students and routinely presents at local elementary schools.
 

Mr. Grates formerly worked in the aerospace industry on Standard Missile, Tomahawk, and Trident II D5. He currently works as a PhD student in Systems Engineering at Arizona State University, and teaches robotics and engineering mechanics at Grand Canyon University. Interests - Navigation, Robotics, and the physics of motion.

As a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in product development, technology, and business transformation, I am passionate about building software solutions that balance customer needs, product vision, and engineering requirements. My expertise spans end-to-end product management, from ideation to launch, with deep technical knowledge in SaaS development, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, React, and Heroku.

As an entrepreneur & co-founder, I have guided startups through business model transitions and managed change effectively. My strengths lie in communication and collaboration, ensuring that stakeholders at all levels align with the product's vision and direction.

I am dedicated to community involvement, providing mentorship, and supporting others in the tech industry through various organizations. My international experience has given me a global perspective that enhances my approach to leadership and product management.

I started my career as a California lawyer and federal prosecutor. After 20 years, I decided to move on from litigation and start an online media company. I haven't looked back! I love the technology entrepreneurial life.

Text or email me to set-up a coffee!

Eric J Rodriguez is a human-centered futurist and innovation expert dedicated to aligning technology and leadership with purpose. As the creator of the H.U.M.A.N. Innovation Framework™, Eric empowers organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape through impactful keynotes, workshops, and consulting. With over 14 years of corporate leadership experience, including at Intel, and a multicultural perspective rooted in Ecuador and the U.S., Eric bridges the gap between technological advancement and human needs. Whether helping teams embrace the future of work, navigate strategic innovation, or foster inclusive leadership, Eric is passionate about creating meaningful, lasting change. Let’s innovate together!

I am a B2B fractional CMO for hire. Previously spent 15 years as a software engineer and a software quality assurance engineer. I hold 6 patents in the CRM Contact Center space. For the last 19 years I have been a product manager and a product marketer. I am a marketer who is very hands on with products. Technology is my passion. I am a volunteer mentor/coach and Entrepreneur in Residence for Arizona Commerce Authority. I am also an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship and Marketing Strategy at the Grand Canyon University. 

Currently I ran an agency that advises mid to large companies on various matters from marketing strategy to technology. 

BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science from UIUC and a MBA from Kellogg School of Management. 

I am looking forward to collaborating with professors and classmates. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/akbarjaffer

Help organizations retire IT assets while ensuring environmental responsibility and data destruction compliance. Advocate for veterans, education, homelessness, food pantries, cancer research, and mental health awareness.

Outside of work, I share life with my fiery redhead Krissy—my wife, best friend, and daily source of strength and laughter—as we navigate life’s adventures with our 7 amazing kids (yes, 7!).

I once dreamed of pitching in the majors and played college ball until a torn UCL ended that chapter. Coaching my kids and watching them play has brought even more joy than being on the mound ever did.

In rare moments of free time, you’ll find me riding my motorcycle, playing chess, bowling, shooting pool, or enjoying a well-poured Guinness.

 

Ken started Real Time Consulting in March 1997 performing embedded system & software design, primarily in the avionics industry. Ken has assembled a top notch management team and was instrumental in pushing company wide innovation that has resulted in the company receiving two patents.  

Mr. Varga also drove the development and creation of Real Times ISO 9001/AS9100 documentation and certification.

Ken holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University, from which he graduated with distinction. He is a member of ETA KAPPA NU and TAU BETA PI engineering honor societies.  He has served as a board member for Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a Joint Technical Educational District (JTED), Engineering Advisory board for Grand Canyon University, the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, and the Arizona Space and Defense forum.