CompTIA Community - ANZ

David Norris

Managing Director, Nortec IT

After completing my Business degree in Computing, I commenced working with Westpac as a mainframe programmer. From there I moved to IBM, then considered to be the place to work in computing. Commencing as a Programmer - I rose up to become a Technical Project Team leader responsible for bringing their worldwide inventory and ordering system into Y2K compliance. I was responsible for a team of approximately 50 people. In 1992 I started Nortec IT and have been running it for almost 30 years.

Maria Armstrong

Community Engagement Manager, Pax8

Stu Applegate

Director, IT Nation International, ConnectWise

As an integral part of The IT Nation at ConnectWise, I drive our community building efforts across the APAC region as a part of the IT Nation team. My work establishes and strengthens relationships with our network of technology-driven partners and delivers the networking to help our partners grow further, faster.

ConnectWise transforms how technology solution providers build, manage, and grow their businesses. Our award-winning software provides a seamless experience that allows companies to increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability. ConnectWise solutions deliver the support companies need at each step of their business journey. For more information, visit ConnectWise.com.

Personally, I have worked in providing some form of technology support, application development or business strategy to technology businesses in Australia since 1987. With a wealth of experience and knowledge in technology and business, I have also been involved with building and supporting several community organisations and continue to enjoy sharing experiences with my peers.

Scott Atkinson

CEO, TribeTech

Scott started work in the IT industry with IBM straight out of university. Five years later, he left to start an IT consulting company Netforce which, in 1999, signed its first managed services agreement. Over time, the managed service recurring revenue model in Netforce was built up and eventually the business was sold to Dimension Data in 2010. In 2014 Scott joined BigAir (ASX:BGL) to help establish and grow the Cloud and Managed Services side of the business.

Scott joined TribeTech in 2018 to build a ‘modern MSP’ using the learnings of the last 25 years about what to do (and what not to do). Scott is currently busy fulfilling TribeTech’s growth ambitions.

Scott is also a co-founder of the business automation solution World of Workflows as well as a board member and chair of SMBiT Professionals.

Scott is actively involved with Streetwork, a not-for-profit that mentors vulnerable young people to help turn their lives around.

Scott has a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science (Computing) from Queensland University of Technology and an Executive MBA from AGSM/University of NSW.

Gerardo Barranquero

CEO, Avocado

CEO of Avocado Consulting who helps clients navigate complex IT change with a range of professional services and technology solutions. Established in 2004, we’ve serviced hundreds of clients and evolved into a leading technology consultancy and managed services provider. Today, we operate across Project Delivery, Platform Solutions, Cyber Security & Managed Services. We have a team of 130+ diverse professionals across Australia.

Professionally, I’ve been working in IT for over 35 years. Starting out in the Financial Services and Telecommunications industries at some of Australia’s biggest companies. Today, I lead Avocado in delivering the business strategy and supporting key client relationships across our government, and corporate clients. I work closely with our leadership team to drive strategic goals across business development, consultant development and practice management.

Dean Calvert

CEO, Calvert Technologies

Dean Calvert - CEO. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deancalvert/)

Dean Calvert is founder, owner, and CEO of Calvert Technologies, one of Adelaide's leading managed service providers, specialising in supporting businesses with 10-100 staff located through South Australia and the Northern Territory, since 1995.

He is also a Professional EOS^© Implementer and delights in helping entrepreneurial business owners and their leadership teams get more from their business.

Dean's ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear non-technical manner has seen him speak as a business technologist at events across the world for organisations including Microsoft, Kaseya, Hewlett-Packard, and Canalys.

In 1992 Dean graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.

When not working on his business or mentoring others Dean enjoys cycling through the glorious Adelaide hills and flying gyroplanes (he is a qualified senior gyroplane flight instructor). He is also unashamedly addicted to his family and has been heard to say he’d take a bullet for them (although he may have been referring to a liquorice bullet!).

Nick Clift

Professional EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide

Nick started working in Technology as a Trainee Communications Office for the Victoria State Electricity Commission in 1981. Then moved to Buroughs/Uniys as a Customer Service Engineer maintaining computer systems for various commercial and government clients across Victoria. Ended career at Unisys in 1996 as National Technical Support Manager.

Started TriTech Computer services in Tasmania in 1996, expanded to Victoria.

Founded DWM Solutions in 2002 with partner Jeni Clift. Nick’s initial role with DWM Solutions was as the Managing Director and Senior Technician. Nick was responsible for the growth of the business and client base from DWM’s conception in February 2002. Initially DWM operated as a traditional “break & fix” reactive service provider but Nick could see there was a more effective way, to provide a proactive service, so DWM was an early adopter of the MSP (Managed Service Provider) model. We are proud of the long relationships we have with our clients, many of whom have been under MSA (Managed Service Agreement) contract with DWM since 2002. The MSP model, or Recurring Revenue, is the major focus of our sales targets and sales processes. In 2020 after searching for a suitable partner, DWM Solutions Merged with Milan Industries form Otto IT. The combined company is now based in Northcote, Victoria and comprises of 30 staff. We continue to focus on our regional clients along with a growing base in Melbourne.

Scott Green

CEO, Aportio Technologies

Warwick Grey

Sales Director, Entek Limited

Debbie Ireland

Managing Director, Digital Workplace Results

For the past 16 years, Debbie has grown her Tauranga-based business Digital Workplace Results(formerly ShareThePoint Ltd), a premier Microsoft 365 Training Provider. She enables businesses to understand that real change is achieved by empowering people and utilising technology as an enabling tool. Debbie’s clients include local and international businesses across multiple industries. Debbie is well known for “making things happen”.

DWR partners with MSP’s across NZ and Australia to help provide the best solutions for clients and in Digital Workplace events.

Aaron Jacobs

Senior Global Solutions Engineer – MDR & IR, Sophos

Aaron Jacobs is a Sophos Senior Global Solutions Engineer, specialising in Managed Detection and Response. With more than two decades of experience in the IT industry, Aaron has delivered a variety of successful projects both with Sophos and as a general manager of a leading Australian MSP. Aaron has enabled a range of organisations to grow in an ever-changing business and threat landscape, utilising his skills as a systems engineer to advise customers on cybersecurity and business continuity. He is an experienced speaker and established thought leader in the MSP space and cybersecurity industry.

Kelly Johnson

Director of Sales ANZ, Arrow

Ryan Spillane

Chief Executive Officer, 360 Consulting Pty Ltd

With over 30 years business experience, 25 of those running a mid-sized MSP and more recently consulting back to MSP/TSP’s around Profitability, Maturity and M&A, Ryan has a breadth and depth of experience unique to the MSP/TSP market.

Ryan completed 10 M&A’s as the Managing Director of Correct Solutions, 3 in other industries for himself and up to 2018, helped 31 other companies complete Valuations, M&A activity or Integrations.

In 2018 he acquired 360 Consulting, transitioned the clients into Correct Solutions and began pivoting 360 to become industry consultants. In 2021, after selling Correct Solutions into the Orro roll-up and completing the integration he was able to focus full time on 360 Consulting.

He now gets to live his passion by helping start-ups to established companies with ongoing strategic consulting and trying to better the industry he loves.

Outside of the industry he is an Angel & Start-Up Investor and building a Commercial Property Portfolio

Kareem Tawansi

CEO, Solentive

An experienced technology entrepreneur, Kareem brings over 30 years of Digital Transformation expertise, advocating for the use of innovation as an enabler and differentiator for organisations. 

Having built and run his own Digital Consultancy, Kareem’s training in both computer science and psychology has enabled him to transform numerous businesses across many domains in Australia, the US, and the UK. This includes many world-first digital projects that utilise technology to help make a positive impact. 

Shaun Witherden

VP Business Development, APAC, Datto