SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SPEAKERS AT THE DISASTER RECOVERY / BUSINESS CONTINUITY –
RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE – NOVEMBER 7, 2024
Peter-John Byrnes, Manager of IT Infrastructure and Security, Above Lending, Inc.
In his over 25-year career in technology, Peter-john Byrnes has covered a wide range of roles from sysadmin/networking guy, to database designer and admin, to IT and Infrastructure, to now working in IT Infrastructure and Security. In his current role at Above Lending, Inc., Byrnes oversees both the mundane-but-critical processes of on-boarding, off-boarding, application access management and the like, but is also responsible for a substantial security posture for a small company, plus substantial duties and process design around audits both financial and technical, security review of vendors, SOC reporting, and, of course, Disaster Recover and Business Continuity planning.
Byrnes started his career in the Chicago financial industry, working for boutique options trading firms with locations at the CME, CBOE, CBOT, and NYMEX domestically, and the LIFFE and Eurex trading floors abroad. He has also worked in the Edu-tech and Telco industries before coming to Above Lending in December of 2023.
Byrnes’s educational background consists of a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California, plus a Master’s and a nearly-completed Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Virginia, before the private sector beckoned.
In his spare time, Byrnes works as a stand-up comedian in Chicago and elsewhere, and was briefly a freelance writer for MAD Magazine, a position that made his inner nine year-old very happy indeed.
Patrick Carnathan, Director Of Information Technology, Quest Food Management Services
Patrick K. Carnathan is a seasoned IT professional with over 30 years of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Director of Information Technology at Quest Food Management Services, Carnathan has a proven track record of leading organizations through digital transformations and managing all phases of technology evolution.
Patrick’s career in IT began with hands-on roles, starting from the help desk and progressing to leadership positions. His extensive experience spans various aspects of IT, including system administration, network management, and cybersecurity. This diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the technological needs and challenges faced by modern organizations.
In his current role at Quest Food Management Services, Carnathan oversees the IT infrastructure and ensures the seamless operation of technology systems that support the company’s mission. His leadership has been instrumental in implementing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive business growth. Under his guidance, Quest has successfully navigated the complexities of digital transformation, adopting new technologies that streamline processes and improve service delivery.
Patrick’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Change and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University Chicago. His academic achievements have provided him with a strong foundation in both technical and managerial aspects of IT, enabling him to effectively bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Carnathan is also a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served in the submarine service. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, which have been invaluable throughout his IT career.
Known for his approachable leadership style, Patrick is dedicated to mentoring and developing his team members. He believes in fostering a collaborative work environment where innovation and continuous learning are encouraged. His commitment to professional development has helped cultivate a skilled and motivated IT team that is capable of tackling the ever-evolving challenges of the technology landscape.
In addition to his impressive IT career, Patrick K. Carnathan is an avid scuba diver and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. His passion for the underwater world has led him to explore some of the most breathtaking dive sites around the globe. Patrick’s dedication to scuba diving extends beyond personal enjoyment; he is committed to educating others about safe diving practices and marine conservation. His dual expertise in IT and scuba diving showcases his diverse interests and his ability to excel in multiple fields.
In summary, Patrick K. Carnathan is a highly respected IT leader with a wealth of experience and a passion for leveraging technology to drive organizational success. His contributions to Quest Food Management Services and the broader IT community reflect his dedication to excellence and his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of information technology.
Carol Glennon, Global Cyber Security Director, McDonald’s
Carol Glennon is the Global Director of Cybersecurity at McDonald’s, one of the world’s most recognizable brands with more than 38,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.
Carol is a seasoned and strategic leader in the field of cybersecurity, data security, and DevSecOps. As the Global Cyber Security Director, Application Data, Carol oversees the company’s global cyber security strategy and operations pertaining to data security.
Some of her key achievements include securing McDonald’s global data sources, building 24/7 global response teams, reducing major incidents through early intervention and automation, and implementing key XDR and observability platforms to enable incident response.
Before joining McDonald’s, Glennon was a global senior product owner leading security for core APIs at BMW Technology Corporation and prior to BMW she managed the global incident response team at Walmart eCommerce. Glennon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with an MBA in Information Technology Management and Cybersecurity and is an ISC2 Certified in Cyber Crisis Response as well as a Crisis Management Exercise Professional (C2MEP) and Cyber Crisis Management Planning Professional (C2MP2).
Nick Gregory, Director, Global OEM Partnerships, KORE
Nick Gregory is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in building resilient infrastructure and ensuring business continuity. With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, Nick has consistently demonstrated his ability to design and implement robust disaster recovery strategies.
Currently serving as the Director of Global OEM Partnerships at KORE, Nick leverages his expertise to forge strategic alliances and drive innovation in the area of disaster recovery and business continuity. His extensive knowledge of emerging technologies and best practices equips him to provide valuable insights and guidance to organizations seeking to strengthen their resilience.
Key strengths:
• Designing and implementing robust disaster recovery strategies
• Leveraging emerging technologies to enhance network resilience
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships
• Staying ahead of industry trends and threats
Certifications:
• 11 Network Certifications
Nick’s passion for building resilient infrastructure and his commitment to ensuring business continuity make him a valuable asset to any organization. His expertise and leadership skills position him as a thought leader in the field of disaster recovery and business continuity.
Benjamin Heath, Consulting Services Principal, 11:11 Systems
Ben is a Principal Consultant for 11:11 Systems’ Consulting Services organization with over 18 years of experience in Business and Technology consulting, service delivery management, and resource management. He is on the leadership team of a Global Consulting Services organization and provides subject matter expertise for the successful delivery of 11:11 Solutions including Cyber Recovery, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, and Information Security. Ben has been involved in hundreds of IT-related consulting engagements from assessing client needs to operational resilience and risk management based solution delivery. Ben is currently responsible for consulting services design as well as the customization and scoping of those services for 11:11 customers.
John Kelley, Director/Industry Evangelist, Ericsson
As Ericsson Enterprise Sales Director for the Central Area, John Kelley is responsible for the sales strategy and overall sales performance in thirteen states across the upper midwest. John has more than 25 years of experience in helping companies solve their technology challenges. He gained knowledge and experience with distinguished careers at Motorola, Cisco Systems, Tanium, etc., where he was often hand-selected to take on new roles of increasing responsibility. John holds a BBA from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI and a MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
Kevin P. McGregor, Regional Lead – Americas Business Management & Operational Resilience, Aon
Career spans 40 years, leading teams and projects that have transitioned to new technologies and support models in the ever-changing world of IT.
Started as a computer technician in the US Air Force and have undergone numerous transformations to stay current and relevant as technologies evolve. IT career has primarily been in support of financial, insurance and healthcare industries.
Possesses a master’s degree in business – Information Technology.
Accumulated years of real-life experiences, development of skills, and acquiring advanced education have led to a extensive understanding of business operations and IT support that is being put into practice as the BC/DR lead for Aon’s North and South American business interests.
Never one to sit idle on a plateau, Kevin is constantly looking for ways to improve and rejuvenate support programs to ensure operations continue to function regardless of the disruptive event. The latest being transitioning to Operational Resilience with a strong connection to Cyber Risk Management.
Brian Sherman, IT Resilience and DR Specialist, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
It was only when I officially became the North America disaster recovery manager for Zurich that I realized that I’ve been a DR guy since day one, so many years ago. Officially, since 2021. Unofficially, since 1996. And a life-long learner with CampIT for many (many!) enjoyable years. Thank you, Dan!
Rani Skariah, Program Manager IS Disaster Recovery, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
I am a dedicated professional with a passion for disaster recovery and business continuity. With over 20+ years of experience in Information Technology, including 13+ years in the healthcare industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the critical role that disaster recovery plays in ensuring the continuity of operations.
I hold a Master’s degree in Information Technology and am certified in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity. Currently, I serve as the Disaster Recovery Manager at Northwestern Medicine, where I have successfully built out the Disaster Recovery program and led numerous large-scale testing initiatives, including the recent Epic (EMR) DR Activation.
In my current role, I am responsible for enhancing DR strategies, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and implementing best practices to mitigate risks and minimize downtime. I am passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field and continuously seek opportunities to enhance my knowledge and skills through professional development programs and certifications.
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the disaster recovery panel and share my insights and experiences.
Patrick Stefanski, Manager – IT Infrastructure & Support, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC
Patrick is a seasoned professional with three decades of experience in the technology sector. With deep experience in many areas of IT management and operations, he excels in leading cross-functional teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and driving solutions that enhance operational efficiency. In the past few years Patrick’s team has moved their on-premise infrastructure to Azure, driven cloud infrastructure enhancements such as Infrastructure as Code, and is currently focused on leading his team’s efforts to drive endpoint security and optimize management capabilities, new DOD cybersecurity compliance guidelines, building out a new support model to better align with the needs of dredging operations, and visualization tooling that will provide contextualized monitoring and remote troubleshooting capabilities for both the Technology team and remote dredging operations support functions.
Paul Wirtzfeld, Enterprise Account Executive, HPE
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with highly talented people at high growth innovative companies including HPE and Dell. My passion for helping customers achieve their goals in an increasingly digital world has led me to Zerto.
What gets me out of bed every morning? Coaching people to realize their true potential allowing them to provide the best lives for themselves and their loved ones. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-wirtzfeld/