THE TEAM

John Bishop

John Bishop founded IT Martini with Aladin Gohar in 2008. His resume includes technology roles within companies such as JPMorgan Chase, AEP, and Nationwide. John divides most of his time contributing to IT Martini, enjoying family life with his wife and daughter, and, of course, working as an IT Pro. He would like to hear your feedback at john [at] itmartini [dot] com.

Aladin Gohar

In addition to founding IT Martini with John Bishop in 2008, Aladin Gohar has spent considerable time as an IT consultant in the financial services industry. His experience includes leadership roles at Crowe Chizek, KeyBank, JPMorgan Chase, and most recently, as director of strategy at Quick Solutions, Inc. In his spare time, Aladin enjoys golf, running, mentoring inner-city high schoolers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and serving as board president of The Sterling Association.

Jennifer Fisher

Just in time for IT Martini Hour 6, Jennifer Fisher became IT Martini's first, ever, Event Manager. Jennifer works diligently to coordinate every detail of IT Martini Hour events, with the goal of producing high quality experiences that encourage IT Pros to think innovatively. Jennifer believes that IT Martini is revolutionizing the hiring perspective for people all over Ohio.

Holly Solomon

Holly Solomon has been a part of IT Martini since the first IT Martini Hour in 2008. With over ten years working in the technology arena, Holly is great at bringing a group of techies together! In her role of Community Development Director she introduces IT Martini to IT Communities everywhere. Holly is a cheerleader of networking, giving everyone the Rah-Rah encouragement to get onboard. Holly enjoys learning new ways to expand her network and finding new ways to assist technology firms in branding their presence in the communities they target. Holly has her own company, Expand Socially, LLC which offers a variety of services to assist you or your company in building your network, social media strategy, recruiting with social media tools, sales channels and more! She can be reached at holly [at] itmartini [dot] com or (614) 440-7988 for feedback and information about event sponsorship.

Dan Clark

Dan Clark came to Columbus as a Toldeo native, to pursue a career in the technology industry. Dan's work-life balance involves his full time technology role at Robert Half Technology, making a community impact with IT Martini, and weekly high adventure outdoor activities.

Daryle Johnson

Daryle Johnson is an Indiana University alumni who graduated from the Kelley School of Business in 2005. In addition to founding several technology businesses in the Indianapolis area, he's been a leader in the non-profit community through the Indiana affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Daryle is diligently focused on growing the Indianapolis IT Community - with the goal of making it the best in the Midwest.

Kevin Hiser

Kevin is a Columbus native that is driven by a passion for helping entrepreneurs, start-ups, and their investors build successful, innovative, and profitable businesses. As President of QStart Labs, Kevin is tightly integrated into the start-up and investor community in the region. He is always known to lend a helping hand, share advice, and act as a connector. Kevin has been added to the teeam as the Entrepreneurship Director to focus on ways to better integrate the tech start-up and IT Community, shine a light on the innovation that happens every day at local start-ups, and promote start-ups as a key contributor to regional economic development.

Angela Slezak

Angela Slezak has 10 years of marketing experience, specifically in database marketing and mail planning. Angela also hold as Masters in Library Science and speaks Mandarin Chinese. She speaks Spanish un poco, and eavesdrops on conversations for fun and learning. Angela's role in database marketing puts her in close contact with IT Professionals. She is eager to support the IT Community through communicating about past and future events.

Raquel S. Marquez

Raquel Marquez is a Senior Student at Franklin University studying Marketing, Business Administration and Public Relations. As a Venezuelan native, she's been living in Ohio for 5 years. Raquel loves the social life and networking - and is able to do both in Spanish and English. In her role with IT Martini, Raquel is excited to plan events and learn something about everything in the IT Community.

Rachel Orndorff

Rachel Orndorff is a senior at The Ohio State University, working on her Bachelor's degree in Journalism with a minor in International Studies. Joining the IT Martini team in February 2011, she works as a communications intern. Rachel is excited to join IT Martini and hopes to gain experience working with social media, communications, and marketing.

Terreece M. Clarke

Terreece Clarke is the newest member of the IT Martini team. She has been a freelance journalist/writer since 1999 for a variety of magazines, Web sites and newspapers. Terreece is a nationally published freelance writer, whose work has appeared in Columbus Parent, ThisWeek Newspapers, Freelance Writing Gigs.com - the #1 Freelance Writing Website, Common Sense Media.com and more. She is also the new Columbus Ohio guide for About.com.

THE ALUMNI

Shaina Kaiser

Shaina Kaiser is going into her senior year at Denison University, where she's working on a double major in Economics and Communication. She's working on the IT Martini team with a special focus on sponsor outreach and marketing. Shaina is interested in learning more about the marketing process - and expanding her network ties.

Erica Brown

Erica Brown became IT Martini's Communication Manager in the Fall of 2009, then went on to graduate from OSU in the Summer of 2010 with a BA in Japanese. As a Communication Manager, she reached out to the IT Community with interesting and meaningful stories - which are all still available online. Erica is currently participating in a graduate level program in Japan, and frequently updates her social network with the stories of her travels.

Janae Martin

Joining the team as the Communication Media Manager, Janae is one of IT Martini's newest additions. She's currently working on her bachelors in Journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Janae is excited to reach out to the ever-growing IT Community, and hopes to further refine her communication writing skills.

Katie Greene

Katie Greene is a fourth year Buckeye working on her BA in International Business with a minor in Spanish. She joined the IT Martini team in January 2010, taking on the role of Marketing Manager, where she works closely with sponsors in the IT Community. Katie joined the team to experience marketing, interact more closely with the community, and make an impact in Ohio.

Michelle Aro

Born and raised in Columbus, Michelle Aro is an avid Buckeyes fan and an active member of the local non-profit community. Michelle is taking on the Philanthropy Director role at IT Martini, while continuing her work with the Buckeye Ranch supporting their development and fundraising initiatives. She's excited to develop relationships with non-profits that can greatly benefit from IT Martini's philanthropic goals.

Tony Whelan

Hailing from Liverpool UK and now Columbus, Ohio - Husband, Friend, Starter, Bus Dev Guy, Techie, Evangelist, DJ and now...writer. From building IT networks for Giants like Cisco and Holiday Inns to cool NanoTech Startups, Tony's varied career has taken him from the UK to Belgium for 8 years and now the US where he lives happily with his wife. Serious IT Martini Evangelist in his spare time, he also mentors budding billionaires and makes a mean tagliatelle vongole. He has twitter and a surprisingly enjoyable blog called Dog On A Pork Chop. He has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane without a parachute over Lake Taupo, New Zealand, dislikes impolite people and does not like bulls balls as a menu option.

Staisja Brant

Staisja Brant is a Columbus native, in her senior year at the Ohio University-Lancaster Campus majoring in organizational communication. She joined the IT Martini team in October 2010 to focus on event planning and communication. Staisja is excited to see IT Communities continue growing into 2011, with even bigger and better events.

Andrea Mazzocco

Andrea was born and raised in Columbus, OH and currently attends The University of Akron. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a Business Cognate and a minor in Pre-MBA. She expects to graduate with honors in May of 2012 and plans to attend graduate school for her MBA in the fall of 2012. Andrea joined the IT Martini team in May of 2011 as an Event Manager intern. She is very excited to help IT Communities through IT Martini events!

Catherine Hudson

Catherine Hudson was born, raised, and schooled in Cincinnati. She graduated in December 2010 with a degree in Communications and a certificate in PR from UC. Catherine' s role combines her desire to extend her professional network, learn more about the IT Community, and maximize the value that IT Martini can bring to sponsors and attendees everywhere.