- Chuck Weisbrich
- New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of San Antonio
- Technology Council Chair
Chuck has over 18 years experience in management and sales and has spent the last 10 years with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers in Texas, Florida and New Mexico working in various roles. His current role is General Manager of the San Antonio location. Chuck holds a BBA in Marketing from Southwest Texas State University. Chuck also enjoys playing music and has performed with various local bands in the San Antonio area over the years. Chuck has two children with his wife, Missi and lives in the Texas Hill Country.
CIO Breakfast Series
- Michiel Espach
- Tesoro Corporation
About the Company: Tesoro Corporation is based in San Antonio and is a leading independent refiner of petroleum products. Tesoro, through its subsidiaries, operates seven refineries primarily in the western United States with a combined crude oil capacity of more than 660,000 barrels per day (bpd). Tesoro’s retail-marketing system includes over 890 branded retail stations, of which more than 450 are company operated under the Tesoro®, Shell®, Mirastar® and USA® brands. Michiel is Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer of Tesoro Corporation and leads all aspects of the company’s information technology function. Espach has spent his career integrating complex systems of people, processes, technology and information to enable business strategy and has been integral in various initiatives that enabled Tesoro to scale from a $944M company to a $28B Fortune 100 company.
About the Program: CIO breakfasts are a knowledge series designed exclusively for and by CIOs and is open to technology and IT executives. At monthly breakfasts, speakers discuss current and relevant technology issues and local IT leaders share experiences and ideas with their peers.
Technology Speaker Series
- Andrew Montz
- Catapult Systems
About the Company: Catapult Systems is a technology consulting company focused on Microsoft related technologies. We're ranked in the top one percent globally by Microsoft and have six offices and 200 employees. As general manager, Andrew is responsible for overall management of Catapult's San Antonio and federal businesses.
About the Program: The Technology Speaker Series provides a great opportunity for business and technology leaders in the San Antonio area to network and learn about technology related topics.
Personally Speaking: Andrew has been active volunteering with the North Chamber since 2003 on the Technology Council and its related event committees. He says, "The North Chamber plays an important role in helping San Antonio businesses grow and learn from each other."
CIO Panel
- Kevin Fearn
- Technisource - Division of Spherion
About the Company: Since 1987, Technisource has provided a wide variety of IT and engineering services to clients ranging from middle-market businesses to global Fortune 500 companies and government organizations. As one of the largest IT staffing and solutions providers in North America, Technisource has the resources to provide a variety of solutions to businesses. Whether you need top talent to augment your team or a complete infrastructure support solution, Technisource has the expertise to help you succeed. Technisource also provides job seekers with multiple employment options in all aspects of the Information Technology field. Furthermore, Technisource has connected thousands of the industry's best and brightest with some of the most rewarding opportunities available. In 2007, Technisource joined Spherion Corporation. Their 60+ offices across the United States and approximately 8,000 employees enable them to provide high-quality services.
About the Program: Learn about technology trends, products and services at the annual CIO Panel – San Antonio's premier technology luncheon event. This informational program is designed exclusively for technology executives. The program format features discussion with esteemed local technology executives and the topic varies per year.
eTech News
- Tod Bruning
- Alamo Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Division
About the Company: The Economic and Workforce Development Team of the Alamo Colleges develops innovative partnerships with local industry, academic institutions, and city, county and state government agencies. Their programs include the Alamo Area Academies, including the Information Technology and Security Academy (ITSA), and several workforce skills development grants sponsored by the Texas State Workforce Commission. They seek to meld the best aspects of industry, government and academia into cutting edge training programs designed to increase the overall competitiveness of San Antonio's workforce.
About the Program: The eTech Newsletter is a valuable member service that provides thought leadership on timely technology issues, products and services.
Personally Speaking: Tod has been active on the North Chamber Technology Council since 2007 and has assisted with the Tech Resource Guide. He says, "The Technology Council plays a vital role in technology advocacy and information dissemination among the small and medium business community members of San Antonio."
Tech Resource Guide
- Bryan Guinn
- Prism Technologies Group
About the Company: Prism Technologies Group provides information technology support that is simple, manageable and affordable for each client by offering computer solutions and consulting services that address the needs of our clients. Prism focuses primarily on IT strategy and working with the business owners to use technology to automate business process and increase productivity while providing the day to day support. Gary is responsible for day-to-day operations and marketing.
About the Program: The Tech Resource Guide is a tool that provides members, IT professionals and CIOs with a listing of all North Chamber-member IT providers and the services they offer. Advertising space is available to any North Chamber member.
Personally Speaking: Prism has been a member for nearly two years and Gary has also served on the Technology Council and the Business after Five committee. Gary says, he has established meaningful relationships and has gotten good leads and business from his involvement. "The value of the chamber is very high and is a must for any company servicing clients in San Antonio."
Tech Brunch Bunch Chair
- Bruce Howard
- The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Associate Director, Career Services
About the Company: With more than 28,500 students enrolled in 126 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, UTSA is the second-largest component in The University of Texas System and has been one of the state's fastest-growing public universities for much of the last decade. Bruce's role is to facilitate the identification and development of career opportunities for UTSA students and provide the means in which to connect students and alumni to those job openings.
About the Program: The Tech Lunch Bunch is designed for non-techie members to gather for an informal and useful discussion about technology issues that affect day-to-day business operations, development and growth in a relaxed lunch-time environment. Members can meet and visit with one another to benchmark and compare their organization's technology concerns, challenges and solutions.
Personally Speaking: Bruce has been an active chamber member since 1997 and has served as a board member, co-chair of the Business Leaders Circle committee, volunteer on the Expo committee and the inaugural chair of the Technology Council. He says, "the North Chamber provides a venue for any and all to come together in a supportive environment where you can learn leading edge principles for building your business, yourself and your employees."
Technology Council
FOCUS: With many of San Antonio's technology leaders involved actively in the Technology Council's program planning and outreach, the group helps to promote the growth of this sector within our local community. Our goal is to help Chamber members embrace and understand the innovations available to them and assist Council members in developing strategic alliances to create new projects and processes within south Texas.
MEET monthly to network, help plan upcoming programs, contribute to a monthly e-mail news letter, and publish the annual IT directory at Technology Council meetings. In addition, address business growth issues - such as sales leads, customer service and contracts, etc.
DISCUSS best practices in a North Chamber member-only environment designed exclusively for senior IT staff at the CIO Breakfast Series. Program Chair: Michiel Espach
LEARN about technology trends, products and services at the annual CIO Panel – San Antonio's premier technology luncheon event. Event Chair: Kevin Fearn.
CONTRIBUTE articles to the eTech Newsletter which provides thought leadership on technology issues, products and services. Several contributors have generated business leads from "Google" searches on their topics. Program Chair: Tod Bruning
REACH area students through the High School Scholarship Program. Students apply for and are awarded scholarships for entry level Information Technology training and certification in order to prepare them for a career in IT.
OBTAIN valuable information on technology related products and services from the annual Tech Resource Guide. Program Chair: Bryan Guinn
NETWORK virtually with other Technology Council members to promote business relationships using LinkedIn.
HEAR about relevant technology issues directly affecting San Antonio's growing IT community at the Technology Speaker Series events. Event Chair: Andrew Montz
