Session Speakers
IAITAM is proud to support these industry professionals and leaders as they push ITAM forward! Each speaker will lead a 60 minute presentation, sharing their expertise through real world experience, case studies, and other means to provide you with the best techniques in the IT Asset Management industry.
Scroll to see a list of confirmed speakers for ACE. Click on a speaker to see their session information! We’re still accepting submissions, so this page will continue to be updated. Use the button below if you’re interested in speaking at our conference!
Aaron Zeper : DMD Systems Recovery, LLC
Speaker Bio: Aaron Zeper is CEO of DMD Systems Recovery, an ITAD company serving the Fortune 5000 and Cloud 500 across all IT asset classes. DMD is NAID AAA Certified, R2v3, and a B Corp, making decisions serving our community, our planet, and then profit. This unique focus is why DMD is a Reuse First™ ITAD innovating a services model with Transparent Revenue Share™. Aaron has spent 20 years leading teams and companies with specialized expertise in IT Services, Microsoft Practices including SAM and License Advisory, Third Party Maintenance and OEM alternatives, and Telecom Expense Management.
Session Title: The Real ITAD Workflow: Watch the Process, Understand the Why
Session Description: See ITAD Like You’ve Never Seen It Before — In One Hour. Go from ITAD beginner to expert in an hour. This educational session takes you behind the scenes to see what really goes on at every stage of the ITAD process. We break down the nuts and bolts with pictures and videos so you can attach tangible understanding to the theoretical aspects of IT Asset Management. We show you the tools, the time, the physical work that goes into every device from decommissioning to logistics to serialization to data capture to data wipe to testing to resale.
Aaron Zeper
Alan Bain : ISAM, Inc.
Speaker Bio: Mr. Bain is presently the Vice President of Delivery for Information Systems Asset Management (ISAM). He provides asset management, software portfolio management, and vendor negotiation services to a wide variety of clients ranging from Federal Agencies to State Governments to Fortune 500 companies. He is directly responsible for managing service delivery and product development for ISAM. Mr. Bain has been in the Information Technology sector for 41 years and actively involved with Software Asset Management for more than 30 years. He is a Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM) as well as ITIL Foundation certified.
Session Title: Five Tips for Five Vendors
Session Description: Every year, the vendor playbook seems to change. Trust moved to audits. Negotiating in good faith moved to it is what it is. Perpetual licenses moved to subscriptions. Servers moved to the cloud. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an experienced consultant attached to your hip to explain the changes and give you a strategy for your next move? Mr. Bain’s session will do just that. Come and hear about five tips for five vendors and be prepared for the next new playbook.
Alan Bain
Alex Geuken : Xensam
Speaker Bio: Alex Geuken is the co-founder at Xensam and a veteran of the IT Asset Management (ITAM) industry. With over 15 years of experience across licensing advisory and software consulting, Alex helps organizations worldwide optimize their technology spend and embrace the future of SaaS management. A global speaker and thought leader, he is dedicated to showing companies how to use AI-driven insights to master their digital transformation.
Session Title: The Language of Leverage: Rebranding SAM for the C-Suite
Session Description: AM teams rarely struggle with insight. They struggle with getting leadership to see its value, because the language does not land outside the SAM bubble. While leadership thinks in risk, growth, capital allocation, and increasingly concepts like FinOps, SAM often speaks in entitlements, discovery, and compliance. That gap is why many SAM functions struggle to get attention, budget, or strategic alignment.
This breakout session is designed for Software Asset Managers who want to change that dynamic. We will work through how to strip “SAM speak”
Alex Geuken
Alheri Adams : Culture of Grace LLC
Speaker Bio: Dr. Alheri Adams, PhD, is an IT Asset Management and contract governance professional with over 15 years of experience supporting enterprise IT, procurement, and legal operations across highly regulated environments. She specializes in AI governance, software licensing, vendor risk, and contractual accountability. Dr. Adams holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, with published research on artificial intelligence, consumer trust, privacy, and accountability frameworks. Her work bridges academic research and practical ITAM application, helping organizations navigate emerging AI risks, licensing complexity, and governance challenges with clarity and integrity.
Session Title: AI as an IT Asset: Governance, Risk, and Accountability for ITAM Professionals
Session Description: Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in enterprise software and SaaS environments without clear ownership or accountability. This session reframes AI as an IT asset and examines governance, licensing, and contract risks ITAM professionals must manage. Attendees will learn to identify AI-enabled assets, uncover vendor risk, and strengthen accountability across IT, legal, and procurement functions.
Alheri Adams
Amy Jones & Hannah Sims : Leidos
Amy’s Bio: Amy Jones is the Senior SAM Manager at Leidos with 15 years of experience in asset management, contract management, and project management, demonstrating dedication to driving efficiency across IT environments. Her passion lies in leveraging cutting-edge technology—automation, system integrations, and AI—to enhance ITAM best practices, delivering business objectives
Hannah’s Bio: Hannah Sims is an ITAM professional at Leidos, with 7 years of experience in the defense contracting industry. She specializes in ServiceNow, focusing on SAM, contract management, and procurement. Hannah is dedicated to improving compliance, optimizing software assets, and enhancing asset visibility, bringing a real-world perspective to ITAM practices.
Session Title: Top SAMPro ‘Gotchas’ We Learned the Hard Way: A ServiceNow SAM Pro Implementation
Session Description: Implementing ServiceNow SAMPro can unlock tremendous value—if you’re prepared to navigate common challenges. This session will uncover the top SAMPro pitfalls we encountered during implementation and share the lessons we learned the hard way. Attendees will gain practical insights into avoiding these missteps, along with actionable strategies to accelerate adoption, enhance data accuracy, and boost the overall effectiveness of their SAM program.
Amy Jones & Hannah Sims
Andrew Buelow : Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations
Speaker Bio: Andrew Buelow is a Business Development Executive at Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations focused on the security and optimization of end-of-life IT assets for enterprise environments. His work centers on aligning ITAD programs with best practices, emphasizing data security, enhanced value, sustainability outcomes, and emerging technologies such as AI-driven processes. Andrew has experience supporting ITAD initiatives from program development through implementation, helping organizations apply structured, repeatable frameworks to improve decision-making and lifecycle visibility.
Session Title: How AI Is Transforming Performance, Governance, and ROI in ITAD
Session Description: As ITAD programs continue to mature, the focus has shifted from demonstrating value to optimizing returns amid market volatility, rising compliance demands, and operational complexity. This session explores how applied AI technologies are being used to improve asset identification and grading, refine remarketing strategies, strengthen compliance verification, and increase operational efficiencies. Attendees will leave with a clear perspective on how AI can be responsibly integrated into mature ITAD programs to drive sustained, measurable ROI.
Andrew Buelow
Ann Marsh : Belron International
Speaker Bio: Managing SaaS effectively requires consistent processes, reliable data, and disciplined controls. This session focuses on practical ways to stay compliant, save money, and reduce risk across your SaaS environment. We’ll cover strategies for license reclamation using usage insights, HR‑system integrations, and license portals, along with methods for identifying dual licenses, inactive accounts, and orphaned users. We’ll also discuss request‑management best practices that prevent sprawl before it starts. Finally, we’ll explore dashboard ideas and simple checklists that help you communicate results, highlight risks, and guide ongoing SaaS governance.
Session Title: From Chaos to Control: Practical SaaS Compliance and Cost Optimization
Session Description: Managing SaaS effectively requires consistent processes, reliable data, and disciplined controls. This session focuses on practical ways to stay compliant, save money, and reduce risk across your SaaS environment. We’ll cover strategies for license reclamation using usage insights, HR‑system integrations, and license portals, along with methods for identifying dual licenses, inactive accounts, and orphaned users. We’ll also discuss request‑management best practices that prevent sprawl before it starts. Finally, we’ll explore dashboard ideas and
Ann Marsh
Benjamin Cartwright : Semsotai
Speaker Bio: I’ve been in the ITAD industry in a management position for about 10 years. Having lived in Asia for many years, I feel like I have unique insight into the global downstream for retired IT hardware. The company I work for is involved in all aspects of IT hardware decommissioning and final disposition.
Session Title: From Asset to Afterlife, Dead Hardware Still Talks
Session Description: There has been a lot of news recently about what happens to retired IT assets once they are decommissioned. The fact is that the amount of decommissioned hardware entering the ITAD stream will grow substantially over the next few years. What happens to all of this hardware? What are the challenges facing the industry? What potential liabilities do companies need to worry about? Where do decommissioned and retired IT assets end up? What is the current state of the industry and what new solutions are of interest?
Benjamin Cartwright
Beth Kaminski : Dart Container Corporation
Speaker Bio: Beth Kaminski is the IT Asset Program Manager at Dart Container in Mason, MI, with 30+ years of experience in IT Asset and Software Asset Management. Her background spans procurement, marketing, and financial management, bringing a strong business perspective to ITAM. Beth launched her first SAM practice when the discipline was in its infancy and continues to shape modern best practices. Under her leadership, Dart received the 2021 and 2022 Snow Technology Intelligence Awards for Transformation of the Year. She was honored as the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award winner by The ITAM Review
Session Title: Send in the AI: Surviving the SAM Circus
Session Description: Welcome to the SAM big top, where audits roar, licenses juggle themselves, and compliance feels like a high-wire act. This session shows how an AI assistant can act as your ringmaster—automating data collection, analyzing contracts, spotting risks, and uncovering savings before chaos strikes. Learn practical ways AI agents reduce manual effort, cut costs, and eliminate common SAM headaches. Step out of the circus and into a smarter, calmer SAM program where AI keeps the show running smoothly.
Beth Kaminski
Bo Guilbeault : Starbucks
Speaker Bio: Bo is an individual IAITAM member and technology industry veteran. Serving as an advisor for such companies as Microsoft, CompuCom, HPE & Arrow Electronics. He is currently part of the IT Asset Management efforts at Starbucks Coffee Company. He brings decades of experience relating to contract negotiations (hardware, software & services), vendor management, program and project management.
Session Title: Strategic ITAM for times of change.
Session Description: “Every change is a chance to redefine success—or risk setbacks. With IAITAM’s 12 Key Process Areas, your IT Asset Management team becomes a catalyst for transformation, ensuring brand protection, risk reduction, and maximum value. From governance to financial and inventory management, ITAM empowers organizations to navigate location closures and workforce transitions with confidence and clarity.”
Bo Guilbeault
Carlos Robles : Robles Consulting
Speaker Bio: Carlos brings over a decade of experience transforming how organizations manage software assets. Starting his career as a Big 4 software auditor, he gained firsthand insight into compliance pitfalls. Today, Carlos leads a global software asset management program, driving millions in cost savings and avoidance while enhancing audit efficiency through innovative strategies and technology. A seasoned strategist and team builder, he specializes in maturing SAM programs, aligning them with business objectives, and navigating complex licensing landscapes. His unique “auditor-turned-advocate” perspective provides invaluable guidance to organizations striving for SAM excellence.
Session Title: Building a Global SAM Program from Scratch
Session Description: After a major divestiture, I was tasked with rebuilding our Software Asset Management program from the ground up. The team, operating model, and tooling all had to be re-established in a fragmented environment. This session shares practical lessons on rebuilding roles, defining processes, and re-establishing trust with stakeholders while managing active compliance and audit pressure. Attendees will gain a realistic view of how to stabilize SAM post-divestiture and evolve it into a disciplined, enterprise software governance function.
Carlos Robles
Chante Dobson : St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Speaker Bio: Chanté is an ITAM Analyst at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is passionate about making software asset management simpler, smarter, and aligned with ITAM best practices. She leads quality-improvement initiatives aimed at eliminating software waste, ensuring more donor dollars can support lifesaving care and research. With two years of experience as an ITAM practitioner, Chanté brings a fresh perspective, analytical curiosity, and a deep commitment to advancing St. Jude’s mission through effective software asset management.
Session Title: Taming the SAM Circus: From Scattered Portals to Centralized Success
Session Description: Step right up as St. Jude takes the spotlight, turning a chaotic juggling act of multiple software portals into a single, centralized SAM system. Using Adobe and BioRender as case studies, you’ll see how we handled applications with and without usage data and how that shaped our approach. We’ll share how we refined request and reclamation workflows, along with the tips, tricks, and lessons learned that made the magic happen. Attendees will leave ready to make their SAM show synchronized and spectacular!
Chante Dobson
Chris Hawk : Relectro - A Sage Sustainable Electronics Company
Speaker Bio: Chris has served as the President of RELECTRO since September 2023, with a focus on driving operational efficiency, optimizing supply chain processes, and fostering innovation. His expertise in operations management, process improvement, and supply chain management enables him to lead teams effectively and deliver impactful results. He is committed to aligning operations with organizational goals, empowering teams, and contributing to sustainable growth in the industry.
Session Title: The Hidden Value of IT Asset Repairs
Session Description: Discover how repair strategies unlock powerful financial, operational, and environmental benefits in IT asset management. From reducing hidden costs to boosting ROI and sustainability, this session reveals why repairs are more than a fix, they’re a strategic advantage. Get actionable insights on how to extend device lifecycles, and maximize value, and reduce e-waste. Join us to rethink your refresh strategy and unlock hidden ROI.
Chris Hawk
Christopher Winter : EY UK
Speaker Bio: Christopher Winter is a Partner at EY with extensive expertise in Asset and Software Asset Management. He advises senior executives on strategies to optimise software investments, reduce compliance risk, and unlock business value through technology. Chris is recognised for driving innovation in software asset management, leveraging emerging technologies such as AI to deliver transformation at scale. His blend of strategic insight and practical execution makes him a trusted advisor to organisations navigating complex licensing and digital challenges.
Session Title: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in IT Asset Management.
Session Description: Join Christopher Winter, EY Partner and a leading authority in IT Asset and Software Asset Management, for an insightful session on how AI is transforming SAM. Chris will share strategic perspectives and practical approaches to harness AI for tackling key challenges, improving compliance, forecasting, and optimisation, while demonstrating how AI enhances license management and ITAM processes through advanced capabilities that deliver measurable business outcomes and future-proof your SAM practice.
Christopher Winter
Craig Boswell : HOBI International, Inc.
Speaker Bio: Craig Boswell is co-founder and president of HOBI International, Inc., where he drives innovation in electronics recycling, reverse logistics, and IT asset disposition. He focuses on secure, cost-efficient processes that maximize value through smart asset management and resale strategies. A recognized industry speaker, Craig shares expertise on data security, reuse programs, and design-for-disassembly technologies. He serves as Chair of the RIOS Board of Directors, sits on SERI’s Board, and is past president of ReMA’s Electronics Division.
Session Title: Unlocking the ITAD Bottleneck: Finding a Path to Smoother Device Unenrollment
Session Description: This session tackles the biggest efficiency challenge in the ITAD industry and the circularity of corporate devices. Craig maps a path to device unenrollment, removing MDM and activation locks to enable reuse and resale. You learn how to standardize secure unlock protocols and APIs for partners with custody, strengthen vetting and certifications, and add contract terms with KPIs, liability and clear procedures. We also call for OEM and MDM support to unlock APIs and ownership transfer. Leave with a plan to cut backlogs and raise recovery value.
Craig Boswell
Craig Guarente : Palisade Compliance
Speaker Bio: Craig is the CEO and founder of Palisade Compliance. Before this, he worked at Oracle for over 15 years. Managing a team of over 1000 people and covering billions of dollars in revenue, Craig gained unparalleled insights into Oracle, their behavior, and how they related to their customers. Craig is also a thought leader in the areas of contract administration, negotiations, outsourcing, business process reengineering, and contract process automation. He has been an advisor to companies across the globe, helping them optimize and streamline their contracting policies, practices, and tools.
Session Title: How To Win (Or Lose) An Audit In 90 Days
Session Description: Vendors design their entire audit program to trap you from the very beginning, before your SAM organization even knows an audit is happening. In this session we will review how vendors rig the system and conduct audits to get around you and find the most leverage, not the ultimate truth. We will then review three Palisade Compliance strategies you can employ to protect you when (not if) you receive that audit notification. Take control of the audit from Day 1 and you can limit, and even eliminate, all non-compliance fines and penalties.
Craig Guarente
Daniel Galecki : OpenText
Speaker Bio: Daniel Galecki is an experienced product leader with over 20 years in the software industry, specializing in managing products in IT discovery/inventory and asset management. He has held senior roles at Flexera, Qualys, Lansweeper and OpenText, driving discovery and asset management solutions. Daniel is an ITIL v4 Foundations certified professional with a strong track record of shaping enterprise products and helping organizations improve operational insight, efficiency, and security. He helped create new offerings focused on increasing value of IT Asset Management by expanding its scope to cover Public Cloud, SaaS and cybersecurity with traditional IT Asset Management.
Session Title: Holistic Asset Management integrated with Service Management
Session Description: Organizations use complex IT environments but often manage assets, services, financials, and risk in separate systems. This session shows how integrating IT Asset Management (ITAM) with Service Management (ITSM) creates a unified ecosystem that improves operations, financial accountability, and cybersecurity. Attendees will learn how to manage the full asset lifecycle, enriched with product lifecycle data, cost modeling, and vulnerability insights to support better decision-making and operational efficiency.
Daniel Galecki
Dante Lombardi : Western Digital
Speaker Bio: Dante is a Software Asset Manager at Western Digital and an emerging thought leader in AI’s role within IT asset management. With over a decade of experience building SAM programs from the ground up at large companies such as T-Mobile and Deloitte, Dante focuses on creating scalable, efficient processes that bridge the gap between technology and business value. Passionate about innovation and practical solutions, Dante brings a fresh, approachable perspective to ITAM, blending hands-on expertise with forward-thinking strategy.
Session Title: Managing AI costs, new pricing paradigms for SAM
Session Description: AI tools are reshaping software pricing models — and traditional SAM practices can’t keep up. In this session, we’ll dive into the new paradigms of AI licensing, usage-based pricing, and the hidden costs that come with managing AI spend. Learn how to adapt your SAM strategies to stay ahead of evolving vendor models, mitigate risk, and drive smarter AI investments.
Dante Lombardi
Ed Pletner : Avritek
Speaker Bio: Ed is a recognized thought leader in the ITAM community, contributing to the advancement of best practices and innovative strategies. He is committed to helping organizations maximize the value of their IT investments while minimizing risks associated with data security and environmental impact.
Session Title: AI & Automation in Asset Lifecycle Management
Session Description: We will learn how modern technologies are reshaping ITAD processes to deliver measurable gains in asset recovery, audit readiness, and operational throughput along with exploring how automation can streamline data sanitization, enforce chain-of-custody controls, and ensure consistent documentation. Using case-based examples the session equips ITAM leaders with the insights needed to adopt automation safely and strategically. Attendees will leave with a clear plan for implementing AI-driven ITAD improvements.
Ed Pletner
Francisco San Martin Garrido
Speaker Bio: Francisco San Martin is a prominent leader in IT financial optimization, with over 22 years of experience in IT business management, IT assets, and IT finance. Author of the book “IT Financial Transformation” and the T2Bv MetaFramework.
Throughout his career, Francisco has been a key advisor to high-profile companies in sectors such as banking, finance, retail, and telecommunications across Latin America.
Certified FinOps Practitioner, Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM) and Certified Artificial Intelligence Asset Manager (CAIAM).
Session Title: Maximizing ROI: How AI Leverages ITAM and FinOps to Connect IT Spend with Business Value
Session Description: This session explores how AI can leverage ITAM and FinOps data to directly connect IT spend with business value. Attendees will learn how to identify optimization, efficiency, and investment opportunities that maximize ROI. By combining asset visibility, financial transparency, and AI-driven insights, IT leaders can shift from cost control to strategic value creation, ensuring that every IT dollar delivers measurable business outcomes.
Francisco San Martin Garrido
George Ganas : Zones LLC
Speaker Bio: With 20+ years of experience in various roles, consuming and selling IT solutions and services, George Ganas is a pre-and post-sales solutions expert specializing in IT Lifecycle Services at Zones.
He is an expert who loves to speak and share insights on Workplace solutions, advanced technologies for Cloud and Data Centers, Networking and Security, and Digital Transformation. George collaborates closely with customers, attentively listening to their challenges and swiftly applying his playbook of success to design the ideal solution.
Session Title: Unlocking Hidden Value: ITAM Best Practices That Deliver Bottom-Line Results
Session Description: Every IT asset represents potential value that most organizations leave untapped. This session examines proven practices that convert ITAM data into financial results—identifying unused licenses, right-sizing procurement, optimizing maintenance contracts, and maximizing disposal value. Discover how to build business cases that resonate with leadership, measure and communicate ROI effectively, and implement quick-win strategies that demonstrate ITAM’s direct contribution to organizational profitability and sustainable growth.
George Ganas
Greg Saxon & Paul Guenther : PedalPoint Lifecycle Solutions
Greg’s Bio: Greg Saxon, COO at PedalPoint Lifecycle Solutions, has 20+ years in ITAD and sustainability. Formerly EVP at PlanITROI and VP at Aventiv Technologies, he led R2v3 and eStewards certifications with zero non-conformities. Holding degrees from Johns Hopkins, Greg’s strategies cut costs by 30% while ensuring compliance.
Paul’s Bio: Paul Guenther, Director at PedalPoint Lifecycle Solutions, excels in ITAM optimization and compliance. His streamlined systems for global ITAD align with R2v3 and eStewards, boosting efficiency by 2
Session Title: Harmonizing Efficient Account Management with R2v3 and eStewards Compliance
Session Description: In today’s fast-paced IT landscape, organizations face mounting pressure to balance operational agility with unyielding compliance demands. This joint session explores how streamlined account management and operations can seamlessly integrate with R2v3 (Responsible Recycling Standard v3) and eStewards certifications—key pillars for ethical ITAD practices. Drawing from real-world case studies, we’ll demonstrate practical frameworks for automating asset tracking, reducing manual handoffs, and embedding compliance.
Greg Saxon & Paul Guenther
Jan Hachenberger : TIMETOACT
Speaker Bio: Dr. Jan Hachenberger (CISA, CRISC) is Director of Strategy & IT Asset Management Evangelist at TIMETOACT GROUP. With over 20 years in IT strategy, governance and enterprise compliance, he champions digital transformation, data-driven insights and asset value optimisation for large-scale organisations. Dr. Hachenberger holds a doctorate from Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, serves on the ISO JTC¹ SC7 WG21 standardization working group and is Editor of ISO/IEC 19770-11, 19770-13 and the new 19770-X. He blends deep technical expertise with strategic acumen to help companies turn ITAM into a competitive advantage.
Session Title: From ITAM to TPM: The New Standard for Technology Value, Risk & Strategy
Session Description: IT is no longer just “assets”; it’s a portfolio of platforms and services. This session introduces Technology Portfolio Management (TPM)—the next-gen discipline set to supersede ITAM. Learn how TPM expands from ownership/compliance to lifecycle governance, financial transparency, value realization, risk control, and sustainability. We’ll outline a pragmatic transition roadmap, maturity model, and KPIs to align technology with strategy and outcomes.
Jan Hachenberger
Jason Owens
Speaker Bio: Presenters Jason Owens, a seasoned SAM practitioner (formerly at Salesforce and Netflix), and Ben Pippenger, a leading SaaS Management thought leader, will provide a uniquely balanced perspective. They will cover practical strategies and frameworks that leverage the principles of FinOps, bringing financial accountability to technology consumption, with the deep visibility and control of SaaS Management to achieve unprecedented cost control, usage optimization, and strategic alignment in a modern, cloud-first enterprise.
Session Title: SAM’s Strategic Evolution: Why SaaS Management is Critical in your ITAM and FinOps Strategy.
Session Description: The rapid adoption of SaaS and the increasing imperative for cloud cost optimization are transforming the landscape of Software Asset Management (SAM). Traditional SAM practices, which were primarily focused on on-premises licensing, are struggling to “bridge the gap” between compliance and modern financial governance.
This session introduces The Next Generation of SAM, demonstrating how SaaS Management is the convergence point for any leader responsible for ITAM and FinOps. Attendees will gain a blueprint for evolving their SAM program.
Jason Owens
Jason Schackai : TeamDynamix
Speaker Bio: Jason Schackai is a Senior Solutions Engineer at TeamDynamix, specializing in IT Asset Management (ITAM) and IT Service Management (ITSM) solutions. With nearly a decade of experience in the ITAM tech space, he previously served as Communications and Training Manager at Sassafras Software, where he drove product adoption and community engagement.
Session Title: Conquering IT Tool Sprawl: AI-Driven Paths to ITAM-ITSM Synergy
Session Description: In 2026, IT teams battle escalating costs, AI governance gaps, and siloed tools in hybrid setups. This session uncovers strategies for integrating IT Asset Management (ITAM) and IT Service Management (ITSM), leveraging automation, synchronization, and unified workflows to cut redundancy, optimize budgets, and strengthen resilience. Attendees gain practical insights to simplify operations, sidestep legacy pitfalls like complexity and overpricing, and spark innovation, without the hassle.
Jason Schackai
Jeff Seltzer : SHI
Speaker Bio: Jeff Seltzer is an accomplished technology executive with a career spanning over three decades in the Information Technology sector, including 20 years of experience at the helm of global CIO and executive IT roles.
Currently, Jeff heads technology strategy & services for SHI’s Spend Optimization Services (SOS) division. Under his leadership, SOS employees have world class technology and tools to successfully delivery services to hundreds of SHI’s clientele annually. His rich experience and strategic approach to technology management continues to drive significant value for SHI and its customers.
Session Title: Navigating Unknown Risk in the Era of Cloud, SaaS, and AI. What it is and how to avoid it.
Session Description: As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, the management of data centers has undergone a significant evolution. The advent of cloud computing, the proliferation of Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have transformed the data center landscape. These advancements offer unprecedented opportunities for scalability, agility, and innovation. How could any of this possibly be a bad thing? What could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot.
Jeff Seltzer
Jennifer Munson : SoftwareOne
Speaker Bio: Jennifer Munson joined SoftwareOne in 2020, bringing with her a robust background in Information Technology. Her career began in Systems Administration and Engineering, where she gained hands-on experience across diverse platforms including Windows, UNIX, and Linux. Over time, she advanced into leadership roles, managing Systems Administration and Operations teams, serving as a Change and Release Manager, and contributing to Security and Risk initiatives. Her focus in 2025 has been heading up their new VMware Advisory service offering for NORAM customers.
Session Title: Getting Whiplash? VMware licensing changes since the Broadcom acquisition
Session Description: Broadcom has worked hard on universal customer adoption of their flagship bundle VMware Cloud Foundation which combines many features that were previously sold separately. The only problem is, many customers report a 300%+ increase in licensing costs. We’ll track changes since the 2023 acquisition, their audit-heavy approach to enforcing the old “Territory” definitions, differences in geographical regions of the world, mandatory usage reporting and anticipated future direction. Attendees encouraged to share their organization’s strategies.
Jennifer Munson
Jim Kofalt : Verae
Speaker Bio: Jim Kofalt brings over 18 years of experience in product strategy and management at leading technology firms, including SAP and Microsoft. As Chief Product Strategist at Verae, he focuses on innovative, data-driven solutions that promote transparency and sustainability in the electronics lifecycle. His expertise in enterprise software and emerging technologies positions him at the forefront of driving responsible practices in IT asset disposition and digital integrity.
Session Title: How Blockchain Technology Enhances Traceability & Transparency
Session Description: IT asset disposition raises critical challenges in data security and sustainability, yet with an increased focus on EPR compliance, export controls, and unbroken chain-of-custody, corporate customers and regulators are demanding higher standards in traceability and transparency. In this session, you’ll learn how serialized blockchain and AI-powered visual matching is delivering trusted device-level history.
Jim Kofalt
Kelly Haltiwanger & Mike Taylor : Deloitte
Kelly’s Bio: Kelly Haltiwanger is a Senior Manager specializing in IT Asset Management and CMDB. With deep expertise in technology implementation, data modeling, and ITAM/CMDB strategy, he leads organizations in maturing asset management programs, enhancing governance, and optimizing lifecycle processes to drive security, compliance, and operational excellence.
Mike’s Bio: Mike Taylor is a Managing Director in Cyber Strategy with 25+ years of IT and consulting experience. He specializes in IT asset and configuration management, holds multiple certifications, and architects solutions that integrate asset, configuration, and risk practices to help clients achieve their business objectives across industries.
Session Title: Asset Management Keys to Regulatory Compliance
Session Description: Explore how robust asset management streamlines regulatory compliance and audit readiness. This panel shares real-world strategies and innovations in managing ITAM controls, showing how organizations can confidently meet demands from regulatory guidance (e.g. NYDFS, FFIEC) and adhere to leading practice frameworks (NIST,ISO). Gain actionable insights to close compliance gaps and strengthen governance across all sectors.
Kelly Haltiwanger & Mike Taylor
Lane Shelton : Directions on Microsoft
Speaker Bio: Lane Shelton is Director of Product Development and Advisory Services Lead at Directions on Microsoft, where he helps large enterprises navigate the financial, contractual, and strategic realities of Microsoft licensing investments. A seasoned advisor with more than twenty years of executive-facing experience, Lane is known for cutting through licensing complexity and turning contract language, pricing shifts, and platform changes into actionable strategy. He helps organizations connect the dots across licensing, finance, and technology so they can make confident, high-stakes decisions about their Microsoft future.
Session Title: Things You Need to Know About Microsoft Licensing in 2026
Session Description: Benjamin Franklin said death and taxes are unavoidable, but he might as well have included Microsoft Licensing changes in that list. 2026 is a particularly important year because Microsoft is totally overhauling the way most customers license it products, eliminating the widely used volume-based discounts and pushing all but its very largest customers towards other channels such as Microsoft Customer Agreements. In this session, one of Directions’ licensing experts will walk you that what you need to know to navigate this change as well as all
Lane Shelton
Leah Allen : Companion Data Services
Speaker Bio: Leah Allen is the Software Asset Services Manager at Companion Data Services. She is highly knowledgeable and passionate about developing solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in IT asset management. Leah’s expertise ensures organizations optimize resources, maintain compliance, and achieve operational excellence.
Session Title: Unlock Cloud Environment Utilization
Session Description: Managing cloud environments can be complex—but it doesn’t have to be. Rightsizing provides transparency into infrastructure and resource use, while accurate profiling and licensing reduce compliance risks and improve forecasting for future software needs. Our approach streamlines cloud utilization management, minimizes complexity, and delivers improved performance and scalability across hybrid environments. Improved visibility and control enable cost optimization, operational efficiency, and strategic growth planning.
Leah Allen
Linda Cole : OPEN IT, INC.
Speaker Bio: Linda Cole is a dynamic speaker who delivers practical, real-world insights on software license optimization, empowering audiences to tackle complex IT challenges with confidence. With more than 35 years of experience in information technology, she brings deep expertise in software licensing, virtualization, cloud adoption, and IT infrastructure. Her career includes leadership roles, where she oversaw P&L responsibilities and drove strategic business management initiatives. For over 12 years at Open iT, Linda has guided organizations in optimizing their software licenses and achieving significant cost savings, making her a trusted advisor to IT and business leaders alike.
Session Title: Mastering Software Audits with Granular License Analytics
Session Description: Software audits have evolved into high-stakes, resource-intensive events with significant financial and operational impact. With 62% of organizations audited in the past year and liabilities often exceeding $1M, cloud and hybrid environments have intensified compliance challenges. This session shows how granular license usage analytics enable proactive audit readiness. Attendees will learn to gain deep visibility into usage and identify compliance gaps — reducing risk, controlling costs, and turning audit readiness into a strategic advantage.
Linda Cole
Matt Beran : InvGate
Speaker Bio: As an IT industry consultant and analyst, Matt Beran has over 20 years of experience in Service Management and Customer Service. As he challenges industry norms, gives practical advice, and provides unique approaches to Service Management Matt is well known for his altruistic, authentic and helpful nature.
He is currently the host of the podcast Ticket Volume and a Sr. Product Marketing Manager at InvGate.
Session Title: Narrow AI: How IT crawls out of process debt
Session Description: While broad application of AI technology distracts leaders, projects and competitors, smart teams are taking a narrow approach to AI and fixing some of challenges they have currently.
As teams begin to leverage Service Management data to train virtual agents for colleagues and customers, we are finally seeing the promise of the chatbots.
But what about behind the scenes? What are current IT departments doing to help themselves?
In this interactive discussion, I’ll share how teams are cutting through processes with modern AI solutions!
Matt Beran
Melissa Cortale : Olitech Solutions, LLC
Speaker Bio: Melissa Cortale is a leading global expert in Oracle licensing and the Founder and President of Olitech Solutions, an Oracle-focused Software Asset Management advisory. She has worked with Oracle licensing for over 15 years, including several years at Oracle, where she gained deep insight into its licensing, support policies, and go-to-market strategies. Melissa is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 clients as well as federal, state, and local government organizations, helping them reduce Oracle costs and mitigate risk. She is a frequent conference speaker and trainer on Oracle licensing, contracts, and SAM best practices.
Session Title: Oracle in the Cloud: From Compliance Burden to Competitive Advantage
Session Description: Oracle’s multi-cloud strategy means databases now run on OCI, AWS, Azure, or GCP, but licensing rules don’t simplify with scale, they compound! One wrong architecture decision exposes organizations to millions in audit liability or overspend. In this session, learn different licensing models and compliance pitfalls unique to the cloud. Discover how to optimize cloud costs, reduce audit risk, and embed SAM discipline into cloud architecture decisions. Turn your migration to the cloud from a compliance burden to a competitive advantage.
Melissa Cortale
Michael Swanson : ISAM
Speaker Bio: Mr. Swanson founded ISAM in 1996 to become an industry leader in Software Asset Management. As one of the oldest SAM consulting companies in the industry, ISAM has been providing expert software asset management solutions in the areas of software cost optimization, licensing compliance, and vendor price analysis, to governments and businesses worldwide. Under the leadership of Mr. Swanson, ISAM has played an integral role in the SAM industry for 30 years by negotiating many of the first ELAs in the industry, and pioneers in software audits. Mr. Swanson brings 40 years of experience in working with corporate executives across multi-national corporations and government entities worldwide.
Session Title: How to get C-Suite Executives Excited about ITAM
Session Description: Why do so many ITAM programs fail to get C-suite executives excited and struggle to get their support and budget? This session will be based on 40 years of personal experience in successfully communicating new ideas to corporate executives, getting them excited and ultimately having their support. It will be based on case studies of building executive support for ELAs before ELAs existed, support for audit defense before software audits were common, and getting ITAM programs supported when budgets were tight.
Michael Swanson
Mike Temple & Patrick Graff : ServiceNow
Mike’s Bio: With over 30 years of IT experience, and over 21 in Asset Management across multiple vendors, Mike brings a depth of experience from a wide variety of customers in many industries.
Patrick’s Bio:Patrick Graff is a highly experienced enterprise Software Asset Management leader who has spent nearly three decades designing, managing, and operating the enterprise-scale software asset management and licensing program at Microsoft. Patrick recently retired from Microsoft and started his new journey at ServiceNow as a Senior Advisory Solution Consultant ITAM where he works with potential and current clients of ServiceNow with understanding the power of the workflow, AI and governance of IT Asset Management across their businesses.
Session Title: AI Revisited — what has changed since last year?
Session Description: Last year we spoke about the impacts that we think AI might have in the space of IT Asset Management. This year we examine how far we’ve come, and if the outcomes where what we expected, and where we think we are headed in the future.
Mike Temple & Patrick Graff
Monique Hunt : Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government
Speaker Bio: I bring more than 20 years of experience in Information Technology, with a specialized focus on software training, large scale deployments, and operational support. For the past five years, I have served as the Asset Management & Procurement Supervisor for Louisville–Jefferson County Metro Government, where I have been responsible for leading technology lifecycle and mobility initiatives. I oversee the enterprise laptop refresh program, manage the deployment and ongoing maintenance of Mobile Data Terminals, and direct the administration of the organization’s mobile device management program.
Session Title: Mobile Device Management – Working to Get it Right
Session Description: Is there an easy way to manage mobile devices? Should we do zero touch? To federate or not to federate, that is a question. Everyone has a phone, how do we track it? How do we manage users? Supervised?
There are so many questions when working with mobile devices. Let’s go over them together.
We will share what we have learned along the way.
Monique Hunt
Nasrin Azari : Mobile Reach
Speaker Bio: As President and CEO of Mobile Reach, Ms. Nasrin Azari has spent 20+ years delivering advanced mobile applications supporting IT Asset Management and Field Service Management processes to many organizations. With expertise in mobile process analysis and best practices for user experience and operation, Ms. Azari and her Mobile Reach team bring high-quality collaboration and knowledge transfer into every project, no matter how large or small. Because of these projects, thousands of users can work entirely in the field, saving hours of time every month, and hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. Such is the power of digital transformation!
Session Title: Optimizing ITAM for the Courts
Session Description: This session presents a case study of a comprehensive mobile solution for ITAM in a large system of government courts. Specific mobile applications with smart barcode scanning capabilities and customizable features support hundreds of IT Asset Managers as they handle receiving, installing, moving, tracking, decommissioning, and auditing IT equipment across a network of courts and depots. We will review the implementation solution, the benefits achieved, and the challenges managed, with a focus on best practices and lessons learned.
Nasrin Azari
Neil Peters-Michaud : Sage Sustainable Electronics
Speaker Bio: Neil Peters-Michaud is President of Sage Sustainable Electronics, driving efforts to extend technology lifecycles and reduce environmental impact. He co-founded Cascade Asset Management in 1999, growing it into a leading ITAD company before its acquisition by Sage in 2025. Neil oversees Sage’s operations and leads integration efforts across the company’s portfolio of businesses. He holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, serves on the Executive Leadership Team of the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling, and has worked globally on electronics reuse and recycling initiatives.
Session Title: 2026 IT Asset Playbook: What the 12th Annual ITAD Survey Says Your Peers Are Prioritizing
Session Description: Join us to uncover key trends in IT asset lifecycle management—from Windows 10’s phase-out to AI hardware, inflation, and resale markets. Based on findings from the 12th Annual IT Asset Management Benchmarking Survey, this session explores how your peers tackle refreshes, security policies, certification standards, and sustainability goals. Gain forward-looking insights into how lifecycle strategies are evolving to meet modern IT demands.
Neil Peters-Michaud
Omar Hamid : Cadena Co
Speaker Bio: Omar Hamid is the Founder of Cadena, a boutique ServiceNow partner specializing in Software Asset Management and ITAM strategy for large enterprises. With over 13 years of hands-on ServiceNow implementation experience across healthcare, aerospace, and financial services, Omar has helped organizations reduce audit risk, optimize licensing spend, and align ITAM practices with CMDB and CSDM frameworks. He is passionate about making asset data actionable—bridging IT, finance, and security teams to drive smarter decisions.
Session Title: SAM on Autopilot with ServiceNow and AI
Session Description: We’ll explore how to put “SAM on Autopilot” by leveraging ServiceNow SAM with AI and automation. Learn practical approaches for entitlement normalization, automated reclamation, and smarter license optimization.
Omar Hamid
Paul Allen : Securis
Speaker Bio: Paul Allen brings over four decades of executive experience in financial governance, risk mitigation, and strategic asset management from Fortune 50 organizations like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. He is a recognized authority on developing robust TCO/ROI models that transform capital expenditures into sustainable operational advantages.
As Chief Operating Officer at Securis, he leads the charge in establishing compliant, auditable, and financially sound ITAM programs. As a result of his academic training, Paul specializes in the rigorous governance required for high-value, high-risk assets, particularly in the emerging landscape of accelerated computing and secure AI hardware reuse.
Session Title: ITAM’s GPU Playbook: Controlling Cost, Risk, and Power in Accelerated Computing
Session Description: IT leaders face bottlenecks like power limits and data sovereignty, impeding AI adoption. This session presents an ITAM strategy for building cost-effective, sovereign, high-speed AI infrastructure. Learn to establish governance, risk controls, and solve infrastructure constraints. We’ll explore TCO/ROI financial models for sustainable value and competitive speed. Use cases—including real-time AI inferencing, accelerated rendering, and cybersecurity—show how this approach transforms operational hurdles into compliant, profitable innovation.
Paul Allen
Paul Baum : PlanITROI
Speaker Bio: Paul Baum is the Founder and CEO of PlanITROI and a “People First” entrepreneur transforming IT Asset Disposition into a Lifecycle Services industry. Since 2001, he has led PlanITROI in closing the digital divide by delivering affordable, secure technology through purposeful reuse. By integrating automation, AI, and a Center of Excellence (COE) model, Paul is redefining ITAD—shifting it from end-of-life disposal to reuse as intended use, unlocking greater financial recovery, ESG impact, and client value. His leadership ensures complete data security while helping organizations turn retired IT assets into scalable economic, environmental, and social returns.
Session Title: The IT Lifecycle Blind Spots Costing You Recovery and Increased Data Risk – What You Need to Know
Session Description: IT asset managers are being held accountable for financial results and risk exposure in ways most IT asset disposition programs were never designed for. Decisions made across the IT lifecycle, especially around end-of-life handling, reuse, and oversight, can quietly drain value and create exposure long before issues surface. This session highlights the blind spots IT asset managers need to recognize to protect data security, financial value, auditable reporting, and stay ahead of rising pressure from finance, security, and executive leadership.
Paul Baum
Phil Bautista : Bull Creek Data, Corporation
Speaker Bio: Phil Bautista is a seasoned ITAM professional with over 25 years in Asset Management. One of the first to integrate Barcode scanners with asset management, he has consulted with customers in both public and private sectors including the Pentagon, U.S. House of Representatives, NASA, Starbucks, Dell, World Savings, Capital One and many others. His wealth of “Lessons Learned” is valuable to all in the ITAM space and focus on process in addition to toolsets. He has presented to the FBI, IEEE, and many others as a keynote speaker, conducted training and workshops on AI, Asset Management, CMDB and “Future Proofing” your ITAM applications. An innovator, he has overcome many challenges in ITAM.
Session Title: Leveraging AI to rapidly accelerate your requirements gathering process
Session Description: Learn how to safely, effectively leverage AI to quickly capture, summarize, and communicate requirements for your next critical project. Identify ways and methods to incorporate AI into your process as well as how and when to best include and exclude AI tools for rapid and successful capture of requirements to include all stakeholders concerns and examples.
Phil Bautista
Rachel Annello : Origina
Speaker Bio: Rachel is the Global Director of IT Vendor Strategy at Origina where she provides consultative advice on IT asset management and software contract optimization for our customers. With years of experience guiding enterprises through complex licensing agreements, Rachel brings a practical, results-driven approach to IT lifecycle management. Her session will equip attendees with proven strategies to maximize ROI on existing software investments and future-proof their IT environments. Rachel’s expertise combines financial analysis and technology strategy, making her a trusted advisor for companies seeking flexibility and cost efficiency in a rapidly evolving IT landscape.
Session Title: Unlock Value through Financial Beneficial Software Roadmaps.
Session Description: IT budgets are under unprecedented pressure, with up to 87% of spend tied to BAU and vendor lock-in. In this session, Rachel Annello will reveal six proven strategies—drawn from real-world engagements with Fortune 1000 companies—that empower IT Asset Management professionals to work with Infrastructure & Operations teams for maximum impact. Discover how to Identify hidden savings by aligning with I&O to financially optimize software roadmaps. Attend if you are ready to turn ITAM into a strategic lever for cost optimization and innovation.
Rachel Annello
Ramin Ettehad : Oomnitza
Speaker Bio: Ramin is responsible for driving growth and strengthening the Oomnitza brand by nurturing and expanding relationships with existing customers, and championing and evangelizing a modern approach to IT asset management. Before founding Oomnitza, Ramin held roles at SAP SuccessFactors and SourceN.
Session Title: Hardware Lifecycle Modernization: Managing Devices Beyond “Operationally Active”
Session Description: Many organizations focus hardware programs on operational devices, creating blind spots in procurement, inventory, refresh planning, and retirement where ITAM failures often occur. This session explores how lost assets, inaccurate spares, delayed onboarding, weak audit trails, and chaotic refresh cycles stem from fragmented lifecycle management. Attendees will learn how governing hardware as a single lifecycle from procurement through retirement improves audit readiness, visibility, accountability, and refresh predictability.
Ramin Ettehad
Rich Reyes : Direct Resource Management, Inc. (DRM, Inc.)
Speaker Bio: Rich has over 25 years of IT and consulting experience across multiple industries. He has spent more than 10 years in professional services (e.g., Accenture, EY, etc.), focusing on cybersecurity, software auditing, cloud optimization, and end-to-end IT asset management (ITAM). Rich has also held senior leadership roles in ITAM, strategic sourcing, and procurement operations for Fortune 500 banking, retail, and technology companies. Currently, Rich helps organizations enhance their IT asset disposition and third-party logistics (3PL) strategies by delivering secure, sustainable, and AI-driven asset lifecycle solutions, including asset decommissioning, recycling, and global remarketing.
Session Title: Secure, Sustainable and AI-Driven ITAD + 3PL for Enterprises
Session Description: Strategic IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) with 3rd Party Logistics (3PL) is no longer a “nice to have” but a “must have” discipline at organizations, given the proliferation of AI technology and velocity of technology refreshes, both on-premise and in the cloud. Risk mitigation, sustainability, and revenue creation are repeatable outcomes of a successful function. In this session, Rich will layout the blueprint for strategic ITAD, plus cover techniques to drive actionable insights for IT and business leaders–helping to evolve your ITAM department.
Rich Reyes
Robbie Plourde : USU
Speaker Bio: Robbie is a global ITAM and License Management expert with over 20 years of experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations across North America, Europe, Japan, and Latin America. As Global Sales Enablement Lead at USU, he serves as technical sales lead for ITAM solutions, ensuring the product portfolio aligns with market needs and delivers measurable business value. Robbie specializes in IT compliance, asset data optimization, and process improvement initiatives that support both strategic and operational goals. He holds an MBA from Quinnipiac University, graduating magna cum laude.
Session Title: ITAM + FinOps: Unlocking Cloud Savings with Better Data, Not Bigger Dashboards
Session Description: FinOps can’t succeed without reliable ITAM data. Fragmented inventories, entitlement gaps, shadow SaaS, and weak ownership models undermine allocation, forecasting, and optimization. This session explores how modern ITAM provides the accuracy, lifecycle context, and contract intelligence required to operationalize FinOps. Attendees will see where ITAM and FinOps processes align—and how organizations use ITAM-driven data to eliminate rework and unlock measurable cloud and SaaS savings.
Robbie Plourde
Robert Collins : Independent Consulting
Speaker Bio: Over 30 years in ITAM experience between the United States Marine Corps and two State of Florida agencies, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Deep understanding of the evolution of the ISO/IEC 19770 series of standards from the initial version to the current version. An active member of the working group to develop and publish the next revision of the 19770-10 standard.
Session Title: AMDB and CMDB, Where to apply, understanding the relationship
Session Description: There is a tremendous amount of confusion in the industry around these two simple acronyms. This session is an attempt to clear up that misunderstanding and describes what each is, how they are related, where in the lifecycle these two fit and how to properly apply these. Taken together these are valuable resources in the ITAM working world, still unrealized.
Robert Collins
Robert Day : Cognisense
Speaker Bio: Robert Day is the Managing Director of Cognisense and a recognized specialist in compliance, risk mitigation, and training integrity across regulated industries. His background includes military fire engineering, hazardous materials response leadership, insurer risk assessment, and advisory work with regulatory and standards bodies. Robert focuses on how technology, AI-driven verification systems, and digital workflows influence compliance, defensibility, and operational trust. He leads independent evaluations of training and credentialing tools, helping organizations ensure reliability, strengthen governance, and improve audit readiness.
Session Title: Behind the Curtain: The Great Compliance Illusion
Session Description: AI is transforming verification and compliance workflows, but it is also exposing new integrity risks in digital training and credentialing systems that ITAM teams depend on. This session shares real-world findings showing how AI tools can bypass identity checks and monitoring controls, and why these failures affect audit readiness and governance. Attendees will learn how to assess vendor claims, identify integrity gaps, and strengthen trust in system outputs across security-critical environments.
Robert Day
Shawn Stockman : ReturnCenter
Speaker Bio: Shawn Stockman is Vice President, Partner Network for ReturnCenter, leading sustainable client solutions and strategy. With 20 years in reverse logistics technology, he developed the first national driver training program for Certified I.T. Asset Handlers. His recent work has focused on the circular economy and the environmental and social impacts of the ITAD and e-waste industry. Shawn is a national speaker on sustainability, ESG, and reverse logistics technologies, has served on the boards of the Reusable Packaging Association and the Green Stewards Alliance, and volunteers with SERI’s Technical Advisory Committee on Electronics Impact Reporting Standards.
Session Title: The Platform Revolution in ITAM
Session Description: Like Uber and Airbnb transformed their industries, IT asset management is undergoing its own digital revolution. This shift isn’t just about AI—it’s about connecting systems to platforms. Picture ITAM, ITAD, lease management, and logistics systems freely sharing data, streamlining operations, and eliminating spreadsheets, emails, and phone calls. It’s automation at work, reshaping customer interactions. A glimpse of the future awaits—bring your sunglasses, it’s looking bright!
Shawn Stockman
Simon Taylor : Azul
Speaker Bio: Simon, as the Senior Vice President of Azul’s global channel and alliances, is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in the industry. His expertise encompasses Software Asset Management (SAM), IT Asset Management (ITAM), machine learning, insight engines, data analytics, and information governance. Simon’s strategic focus lies in core go-to-market areas, including application modernization, digital workplace, and transformative AI solutions. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within these sectors.
Session Title: AI and the Future of Java Licensing: Expanding the Role of ITAM and SAM
Session Description: Java licensing has become increasingly complex, with evolving terms, hidden deployments, and rising audit and security risks. This session explores how AI and machine learning models can help ITAM and SAM teams move beyond manual reporting to predictive insights — detecting unauthorized Java use, forecasting license needs, and identifying vulnerabilities from runtime data. Attendees will learn how to reduce audit exposure, optimize costs, and strengthen compliance while expanding the role of ITAM and SAM from cost control to strategic enabler.
Simon Taylor
Sumin Tchen : Belarc, Inc.
Speaker Bio: Sumin has over 30 years of experience in helping to build successful technology firms, such as Belarc (ITAM & Cybersecurity), Computer Controls (building control systems), Eliza (telephony-based voice recognition). Sumin has a B.S. Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. Management from M.I.T.
Session Title: Workflow Automation for SAM managers
Session Description: This session will demonstrate how to implement automated workflows for Software Requests, Software Harvesting and EOL software. Our examples will be based on Power Automate, but the same principles are applicable to other SAM and workflow automation systems.
Session Title: AI for SAM managers, a how-to session
Session Description: This session will focus on how to increase the automation of your SAM workflows using AI tools. We will use tasks such as entering purchase records as an example workflow and discuss different ways to implement the AI tools with pros and cons.
Sumin Tchen
Sunil Chandna : Stellar Data Recovery Inc
Speaker Bio: As CEO of BitRaser, a division of Stellar, Sunil drives innovation in Data Erasure and Device Diagnostics software—helping organizations secure sensitive information and advance digital sustainability. He co-founded Stellar in 1993, building it into a global leader in data recovery trusted by over 3 million customers worldwide.
Beyond his leadership role, Sunil actively champions device reuse by promoting awareness of secure data destruction. He contributes to global media sanitization standards, leads educational initiatives, and regularly shares insights through articles in leading publications.
Session Title: Why It’s Time to Move Beyond the DoD Standard for Data Erasure
Session Description: The DoD 5220.22-M standard once set the benchmark for data erasure, but no longer. With the rise of modern storage technologies like Shingled Magnetic Drives (SMR), this outdated method often fails to completely erase data, leaving organizations exposed to breach risks, fines, and compliance failures. Join this session to uncover why the DoD standard no longer meets today’s data sanitization needs, how residual data can remain on modern drives after wiping, and how modern standards like IEEE 2883 & NIST 800-88 ensure true data protection.
Sunil Chandna
Susan Krautbauer : Digitunity
Speaker Bio: Susan Krautbauer is Senior Director, Advancement at Digitunity, helping companies align ITAD, ESG, and procurement strategies with technology donation for social impact. George Ganas is Senior Director of Global Technology Solution Centers at Zones LLC, leading lifecycle service innovation and ITAD 2.0 implementation. Together, they bring decades of experience in IT asset management, secure disposition, and business transformation. Their work bridges operations and strategy, helping organizations turn end-of-life assets into opportunities for ROI, compliance, and community impact.
Session Title: The Price of Inaction: Donation, Risk, and ROI in ITAD 2.0
Session Description: In today’s shifting technology landscape, donation can no longer be an afterthought. This session, led by Susan Krautbauer (Digitunity) and George Ganas (Zones), explores how ITAM and ITAD leaders can integrate secure, strategic donation into ITAD 2.0 to drive ROI, manage risk, and align with ESG, procurement, and compliance goals. Learn how macro trends—AI, hybrid work, tariffs—are reshaping refresh cycles and donation supply, and how to turn this challenge into a business advantage.
Susan Krautbauer
Terry Divelbliss : Eracent
Speaker Bio: Terry has specialized in ITAM and SAM since 1999 and has worked at Eracent since 2002. He has been directly involved in numerous enterprise implementations, helping customers establish lifecycle management practices and then expand them as their programs mature. He holds five IAITAM certifications and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences on a wide range of ITAM topics. Terry has an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, plays in multiple working rock bands, and obsesses over music and classic muscle cars. He and his wife Cyndi and their pets reside near Pittsburgh, PA.
Session Title: Beyond Counting: Innovative Business Outcomes From IT Asset Management
Session Description: This session looks beyond the fundamentals to examine advanced, cutting-edge strategies for getting a greater return from your SAM and ITAM data. We’ll dive into current hot topics including Reducing Technical Debt, Monetizing and Democratizing Data, Asset Scorecards, Software Supply Chain Security, and other concepts that enhance modern ITAM and SAM programs. We’ll also cover additional techniques that provide your program with pathways to grow, sparking confidence and increasing confidence in the results you provide.
Terry Divelbliss
Tim Elicker : Ivanti
Speaker Bio: Tim Elicker is a Senior Sales Engineer at Ivanti, specializing in IT Service Management and IT Asset Management. With over 15 years of experience, he guides organizations through technical evaluations by delivering high-impact demonstrations, leading proof-of-concepts, and translating technology capabilities into clear business value. His background includes enterprise consulting, unified endpoint management, and automation in roles at Quest Software, Hyland Software, and Blue-Chip Consulting Group. CHAMP and CSAM certified through IAITAM, Tim applies his strong ITAM expertise to help organizations streamline processes, enhance visibility, and maximize ROI across their technology ecosystems.
Session Title: “Unlocking Workflows: Streamlining ITAM Best Practices for a Secure and Compliant Future”
Session Description: In this interactive presentation, we’ll explore the critical role of workflows in IT Asset Management, including security, compliance, procurement, and more. We’ll illustrate how effective workflows optimize processes, minimize errors, and enhance efficiency. With this knowledge and best practices, you’ll design and implement efficient ITAM workflows that drive business value and improve security and compliance.
Tim Elicker
Todd Hogan : Geonovi Development
Speaker Bio: Todd has over 25 years of ITAM experience, and is presently the CEO of Geonovi Development, a provider of advanced data integration connectors serving the ITAM/ITOM/ITSM marketplace. In addition to advanced data integration services, Todd also functions as the President of Eight K Development, an ITAM consultancy with a focus on program development and best practice. Todd has many years of hands-on implementation experience helping organizations build successful ITAM programs using tools like Freshservice, Ivanti, and ServiceNow.
Session Title: The ITAM Assessment and Workshop – The Key to Program Success!
Session Description: Why do so many ITAM programs struggle or fail? The most common answer: “The organization is not unified, educated, sanctioned, and working together.” A successful ITAM program does not happen overnight and reside in a silo. It requires planning, education, participation, executive support, milestone successes, and persistence. The ITAM Assessment and Workshop is the critical first step to success, without it you are flying in the dark and certain to hit technical or political obstacles that will delay or destroy your chances for success.
Todd Hogan
Tom Watson : Asset Management International, LLC
Speaker Bio: Tom Watson, founder and CEO of AMI, is an IT technology expert and entrepreneur who has grown AMI and its flagship product, AssetTrack, into a leader in hardware asset management since 2003. A former software developer and senior architect at Micropath, he saw firsthand the challenges of tracking hardware, inspiring AMI’s creation. His mission is to help organizations buy only what they need, avoid penalties, and make confident, secure decisions. Outside work, Tom enjoys time with his son, playing soccer, and performing with his Seattle band, Crown Hill.
Session Title: Automation Without Anxiety: Building Trust in an AI World
Session Description: Automation offers major gains in hardware asset management, yet many teams hesitate over control, visibility, and data quality. This session shows how to introduce automation as a force multiplier that cuts errors, speeds workflows, and reduces spreadsheet stress. We’ll cover how AI is reshaping HAM and how a continuous-audit mindset helps teams scale safely, apply AI where it matters, and maintain trust throughout the transition.
Tom Watson
Torsten Larson : Absolute Security
Speaker Bio: Torsten Larson is a Senior Sales Engineer for Absolute Software working with key Enterprise and Strategic companies across North America. With 30 years in the information technology space, Torsten spent much of his career as an information security professional before moving into sales. Torsten holds several information security certifications and continues to engage with customers and colleagues on information security topics in seminars and meetings and continues to be a member of multiple security focused professional organizations.
Session Title: Resilient Assets: Why ITAM Is the Backbone of Cyber Resilience
Session Description: This session shows how IT Asset Management (ITAM) is the backbone of cyber resilience—ensuring assets remain visible, protected, and recoverable even after failure or attack. Attendees will learn practical strategies for building persistent visibility, self-healing controls, and verified compliance into their asset programs, aligning ITAM with frameworks like NIST CSF 2.0, ISO 27001, and HIPAA 2025 to reduce risk and strengthen enterprise continuity.
Torsten Larson
Walter Darrough : Flexera
Speaker Bio: Walter Darrough is a Principal Success Manager at Flexera with more than forty years of IT experience across industries including finance, retail, education, health care, energy, government, and transportation. His background includes roles as Global Asset Manager at Dell, Corporate Strategist, and Knowledge Executive and Program Advisor for IAITAM. He has deep expertise in product development, implementation, and data center operations, enabling him to help global organizations advance their ITAM practices. A recognized ITAM author and instructor, he holds CSAM, CHAMP, CITAM, and ITIL certifications and was inducted as an IAITAM Fellow. He holds two degrees from the University of Oklahoma.
Session Title: Data-driven Outcome-Focused
Session Description: Modern ITAM must move beyond traditional on‑premises asset management as the technology landscape rapidly evolves. Full visibility across the IT estate is essential to identify risks, uncover opportunities, and act decisively. With AI expanding across the enterprise, high‑quality data is critical. As cloud and SaaS cost reduction becomes a priority, aligning ITAM with measurable business outcomes strengthens strategic value and organizational impact.
Walter Darrough
Wes Miller : Directions on Microsoft
Speaker Bio: Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies.
Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes was a product manager and development manager for several Austin, TX, start-ups, including Winternals Software, acquired by Microsoft in 2006. Prior to that, Wes spent seven years at Microsoft working as a program manager in the Windows Core Operating System and MSN divisions.
Session Title: Licensing Microsoft AI: It’s a Whole New World
Session Description: AI brings with it many opportunities, but also many disruptions. In addition to enabling news ways of working, AI brings with it entirely new licensing models. This session will walk you through the key issues in licensing Microsoft’s AI technologies, from what’s included in which suites to the complexities of licensing for agentic applications. You’ll walk away prepared to help your organization manage costs while navigating the new world of AI.
