The ITAM Advisory Board
Where ITAM curriculum and current industry trends meet
Mission
The Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM) Advisory Board provides leadership, direction, and support to the constituencies that the ITAM department serves. It provides a link to those individuals and organizations with the resources, knowledge, and contacts that the ITAM department needs to achieve its objectives and fulfill its mission of maintaining currency and relevancy, and best serve the students.
Guiding Roles
- Act as advisor to the ITAM faculty and staff on matters relating to the advancement of the department, its programs and courses, and information technology hardware and software needs, as prescribed by industry.
- Endorse and advocate for ITAM to raise its profile as a leading IT Administrative Management department in the state of Washington.
- Help build strong relationships between the business community and ITAM department by encouraging organizations and individuals to recruit students, employ graduates and contribute to student learning through mentoring, experiential projects, classroom visits, and internships.
- Name:
- Eric Adams
- Title:
- Copilot Consulting
- Title:
- CEO
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Eric Adams
- Title:
- CEO
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Eric Adams (he/him)
Copilot Consulting, CEO
Communication skills are key and transfer to almost any situation. Do not talk up or down to people but with them. Define your personal strategy and then ensure that each of your actions aligns to it, even if one of those actions is to step back only two move forward again. Balance what makes you happy with what skills you have or are developing.
LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/eadams62
- Name:
- Chris Benz
- Title:
- Microsoft
- Title:
- Senior Technical Program Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Chris Benz
- Title:
- Senior Technical Program Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Chris Benz
Microsoft, Senior Technical Program Manager
For over 10 years, I have had the opportunity to focus on and develop Retail Technology portfolios with a focus on back-of-house management. Within the Program Manager discipline, I have always focused on providing the right toolset, to support strategic initiatives. The journey of my career started at Nordstrom where I began to build my career. Highlights in that space include supporting Nordstrom’s first international expansion as well as multiple Full & Off Price initiatives. After some time at Nordstrom, I decided to expand my experience and move from fashion to outdoor specialty with REI. While there, I focused on supporting a team to implement initiatives on product, price, and order management. Transitioning now to Microsoft as a Senior TPM, I support global demand & fulfillment processes that deliver products to consumers and small/medium businesses across the world. One of the greatest things I enjoy with technology is the ability to have an idea and partner with a team to go from ideation to implementation.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-benz
- Name:
- Aloke Gupta
- Title:
- Worksmachine
- Title:
- Partner
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Aloke Gupta
- Title:
- Partner
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Name:
- Len Hermens
- Title:
- MultiCare Health System
- Title:
- Information Systems Director
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Len Hermens
- Title:
- Information Systems Director
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Len Hermens
MultiCare Health System, Information Systems Director - Strategy, Planning and Architecture
Being prepared for the business world is more than book knowledge and higher education. It involves having solid core values, knowing the business you are working for or in and having a positive outlook on how you contribute to an organization. Soft skills, such as communication, courtesy, a questioning mindset all contribute to a positive work experience.
- Name:
- Kenneth Karru-Olsen
- Title:
- Nokia
- Title:
- Senior Solution Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Kenneth Karru-Olsen
- Title:
- Senior Solution Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Kenneth Karru-Olsen
Nokia, Senior Solution Manager
During the past 22 odd years with Nokia I have had the pleasure to serve our customers in more than 32 different countries covering 5 continents, deploying the network infrastructure in GSM, UMTS, LTE and 5G. In my role as Senior Solution Manager I am the interface between the network operator design team and the Nokia R&D department, translating visions into product plans. I am currently serving a 2 year term as the local Ombuds Leader. My biggest moment of pride with Nokia was the creation of a 4 month leadership program designed for aspiring leaders, the program is now running on its 4th year and has been adopted by Nokia Education Center.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethkarruolsen/
- Name:
- Carrie Larsen
- Title:
- lululemon
- Title:
- Director, Technology Business Operations
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Carrie Larsen
- Title:
- Director, Technology Business Operations
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Carrie Larsen
lululemon, Director of Technology Business Operations
I've been working in Technology for over 20 years now with the majority of that time in the Business Analysis discipline. Over the past 5 years I have gravitated over to Business Operations which encompasses all of the functions to run Technology like a business. I also have over 13 years of experience working in retail technology. Currently, I'm working for lululemon as their Director of Technology Business Operations and am responsible for overseeing the Technology organization's financials, communications, workforce management and administrative operations. I also serve as the Chief of Staff to our CTO, Julie Averill.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-larsen-aaa08b4/
- Name:
- Anthony Mikolasy
- Title:
- West Monroe Partners
- Title:
- Director, Business Development
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Anthony Mikolasy
- Title:
- Director, Business Development
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Anthony A. Mikolasy
West Monroe Partners, Director of Business Development
As a Director, Business Development I represent the firm’s brand “BORN IN TECHNOLOGY, BUILT FOR BUISNESS” on our journey to become a billion-dollar company. Focused on the intersections of Digital and Emerging Technology, I partner with our consultants and clients to identify challenging opportunities and engagements to help transform organizations for future success in a digital world.
I bring a multidisciplinary approach to every pursuit and opportunity for business at West Monroe. As a leader who thrives in collaborative environments, I am passionate about bringing people together to brainstorm solutions and solve problems that can’t be tackled in a singular way. I also work closely with our line consultants to mentor and educate them on leading practices in business development and building client relationships. I am currently mentoring a number of Senior Manager and Senior Principals in the firm while partnering with them on engagements.
- Name:
- Judy Mirkin
- Title:
- Riverbed Technology
- Title:
- Senior Director & Chair of ITAM Advisory Board
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Judy Mirkin
- Title:
- Senior Director & Chair of ITAM Advisory Board
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Name:
- Bruce Requa
- Title:
- Microsoft
- Title:
- Business Program Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Bruce Requa
- Title:
- Business Program Manager
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Bruce Requa
Microsoft, Business Program Manager
Bruce Requa is a Business Program Manager at Microsoft with over 25 years’ experience in high technology. Roles have included business management, commercial licensing, and project management. Prior to joining Microsoft, Bruce was a manager with Revel Consulting, a Seattle based management consulting firm, where he focused on helping high-tech and retail clients solve business challenges. Earlier in his career, Bruce worked in marketing, performance excellence, sales operations, and management consulting roles. He has been continuously active with the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program since 2009 serving as an examiner, team leader, trainer, and is currently a judge supporting excellence in organizations. In his local community, Bruce is active in his local church and as a board member with Performance Excellence NW, the regional Baldrige program, serving organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucerequa/
- Name:
- Jarad Schraeder
- Title:
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Title:
- Cybersecurity Analyst II
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Jarad Schraeder
- Title:
- Cybersecurity Analyst II
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Jarad Schraeder
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Cybersecurity Analyst II
Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is how you grow, learn, and become better. In my career, I've failed numerous times, but I've learned from each of those failures and have become a better cybersecurity professional, better person, and employee because of it.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schraederjarad
- Name:
- Kathiravan Thangavelu
- Title:
- Microsoft
- Title:
- Senior Cloud Solution Architect
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Kathiravan Thangavelu
- Title:
- Senior Cloud Solution Architect
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Kathiravan Thangavelu (He/Him)
Microsoft, Senior Cloud Solution Architect
Covid Pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of organizations rapidly. Hence its important for students to understand and acquire the digital transformation skills (Cloud, Security etc) to succeed in your career.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathiravanthangavelu/
- Name:
- Michael Thore
- Title:
- Talent Network
- Title:
- Founder, Managing Partner
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
- Full Bio
- Full Bio
- Name:
- Michael Thore
- Title:
- Founder, Managing Partner
- Email:
- itaminfo@cwu.edu
Micheal Thore
Talent Network, Founder, Managing Partner
I love diving deep in my customer's businesses to understand their model, their products and what is important to them when hiring new leaders. Helping those new leaders build out their teams to enable their success is incredibly rewarding. I believe successful organizations require diverse and inclusive talent, and have successfully supported those efforts.
Relationships are the reason I am in this business. Getting to know people and understanding where they are on their journey gives me the opportunity to add insight and value. Life is way too short to settle. Whether it's hiring managers, partners, or talent I'm working with, finding the spark, the fire, and the excitement in people and connecting like minds, is the best.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelthore/
