FETC Virtual Conference Speakers
Julie Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Project Tomorrow
Julie Evans is the CEO of Project Tomorrow (www.tomorrow.org), a national education nonprofit organization (formerly known as NetDay). Previously, she enjoyed a very successful 17-year career in national and regional sales and marketing management with Unisys and two education technology startups. Julie is a graduate of Brown University and serves on the Board of Directors of Project Tomorrow, the KOCE-TV Education Advisory Council, the Children’s’ First Advisory Council and the Association of Women in Technology Council. She is a Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellow and a frequent speaker, writer and commentator on children, education, science and technology issues. In 2008, Julie was named as one of the “Top Ten Most Influential People in Education Technology” over the past 10 years by a leading national education publication.
Jill Hobson
Director of Instructional Technology and Media Services
Forsyth County Schools, Georgia
Jill Hobson is the Director of Instructional Technology for Forsyth County Schools. Her duties include managing the very successful implementation of the online learning management system and web content management system. She works closely with the Academics and Accountability division to promote the instructional technology uses that accelerate student learning through higher order thinking. Working with Media Specialists and Instructional Technology Specialists, Jill facilitates the development and implementation of professional learning related to instructional technology. Jill serves as the president and founding member of the Georgia Society for Instructional Technology (G-STE). Jill was named one of the National School Board Association's "Twenty to Watch", a list of 20 emerging leaders in technology. Jill is also an active member of the Consortium for School Networking and the Georgia K12 CTO Council.
Jason Krilich
West Territory Manager
Parallels
Parallels is deeply rooted in the Education space with over 2000 school districts and education institutions using our technology to help students, working professionals, instructors and administrators excel in academia. Parallels is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and cloud services providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with more than 700 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.
John Kuglin
Retired Associate Dean
University of Montana
John Kuglin is a K-16 technology pioneer. This has led him to testify before the US Senate on learning technologies, was featured on CNN, and served as a technology host for the Learning Channel. John was identified as a Top 25 Education Technology Advocate by District Administrator magazine and was awarded a USA Today Power Teacher designation. He is a nationally and internationally respected keynote speaker and has been published in numerous magazines. John is a currently certified teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience. He served as Senior Director of Technology for McREL, and retired from the University of Montana as an Associate Dean and NASA grant administrator. John recently served as CIO for Eagle County Schools in Vail, Colorado. After helping to secure a $128 million bond, he rebuilt the technology systems for the district as well as designed 21st century learning programs. Currently, John is acting as a technology consultant to several organizations. He serves on a select committee for the Entertainment Industries Council. This year, the Council will help to focus film and television programs to further public and student awareness for science, engineering, technology and math. John is also a Senior Consultant for Scenewise Inc., a company bridging feature films with standards-based curriculum materials. Additionally, John addresses national conferences and is assisting several districts around the nation with their technology programs.
Ann McMullan
Executive Director for Educational Technology
Klein Independent School District, Texas
Ann McMullan, Executive Director for Educational Technology in the Klein Independent School District near Houston, Texas, leads a team of instructional technology specialists and media and library services staff who work closely with the district’s curriculum office and IT staff to assure that all instructional support systems are aligned to maximize the use of technology for teaching and learning. From 2004-2006 Ann co-chaired the Texas Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC) which produced the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 that serves as framework for all school districts in Texas as well as a guide for state legislators.
Cathy Mincberg
Chief Academics Officer
KCDL
Cathy Mincberg joined KCDL in May, 2009 as Chief Academic Officer. Prior to KCDL, Cathy served as Chief Operating Officer of the Portland Public Schools (PPS) and was the Founder and President of the Center for School District Effectiveness (CSCE), where she helped school systems improve their business operations. Cathy has also served as Chief Business Officer for the Houston Independent School District (HISD), spent eight years as a Trustee of Houston Community College and 14 years on the HISD Board of Education, serving as President in 1987 and 1990. She co-authored the board's guiding document: "A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions" which led HISD to become the first recipient of the Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education. Cathy has a M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas and a Ed. D. from the University of Houston. Cathy began her life-long involvement in education as a biology teacher at Lamar High School, serving from 1975-1979.
Rebecca Tomasin
Senior Director, Instruction and Evaluation
KCDL
Rebecca is Senior Director of Instruction and Evaluation at KC Distance Learning. Rebecca joined KCDL in October 2009. Prior to KC Distance Learning, Rebecca was the Director of ZOOM! Data Source; the student achievement management program of the California Charter Schools Association, which was the first program of its kind in the nation serving over 200 charter schools. Rebecca holds a CA clear teaching credential and taught high and middle school English for seven years at Bell Gardens High School in California and Athens College in Athens, Greece. Her advocacy and practice with English Learners earned her the California Association of Bilingual Education's Teacher of the Year Award in 2002. Rebecca was recognized by the LA- based organization Peace Over Violence with the non-profit’s Humanitarian Award for her volunteer advocacy work aimed at ending sexual violence and promoting healthy teen relationships. Rebecca earned a Master's Degree in Education and Community Development from Claremont Graduate University (where she is an adjunct professor and lecturer), a MA in Renaissance Studies from the University of London and a Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from the Smith College.
Brenda Williams
Executive Director, Office of Instructional Technology
West Virginia Department of Education
Brenda Williams is the Executive Director of the Office of Instructional Technology in the West Virginia Department of Education. She has worked in the area of instructional technology at the Department of Education since 1983. Prior to 1983, she was a classroom instructor working with students in the 5-14 grade levels and adult education as she integrated instructional technology. She is currently responsible for directing all statewide instructional technology and competitive programs in K-Adult public schools and classrooms. Programs and grants include business partnership, state and federal funding for turnkey instructional technology solutions which provide funding for all WV districts with planning, installation of hardware and software, initial and ongoing educator professional development, infrastructure preparation, curriculum alignment, virtual courses and online resources, blended learning, maintenance and renewal/updates of programs.
Brent Williams
Educational Technology Center
Kennesaw State University
Brent Williams is a well known speaker, instructor, and consultant in many areas of educational technology. He has over 25 years of experience in private and public sector technology analysis, management, and training. He is ranked one of the best of the best, presenting and conducting workshops nationally on a wide range of topics including Computer Forensics, Wireless Network Management and Security, Windows Operating Systems, Windows Group Policies, and more. Brent has a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and a Masters degree in Technology Management and is a PhD candidate in Educational Leadership at the University of Nebraska. He currently serves as an Educational Technology Specialist at Kennesaw State University and as a State Technical Trainer for the Georgia Department of Education. Brent and his wife, Madge, reside in Marietta, Georgia.
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