2015 TCC Bios

John Havens

John C. Havens is a contributing writer for The Guardian, Mashable, and The Huffington Post. He is the Founder of The H(app)athon Project, a non-profit organization, “Connecting Happiness to Action" by helping people track their values and personal data as a way to increase their wellbeing via customized volunteer opportunities in their community. He is the author of, Tactical Transparency - How Leaders Can Leverage Social Media to Maximize Value and Build Their Brand. John is also the author of Hacking H (app)iness - Why Your Personal Data Counts and How Tracking it Can Change the World (Tarcher/Penguin Publisher, March 2014).

He speaks to corporate groups and associations in both the U.S. and internationally. Most recently he spoke at the Sibos Conference in Dubai, and a conference for Cisco in Milan. He will also be presenting at the 2014 Future Consumer Intelligence Conference.

John is a former EVP for a top-ten global PR firm; he has counseled clients like Gillette, HP, and Merck on emerging and social media issues. He is a leading voice for technology, business, and well being, and often featured in USA Today, Fast Company, BBC News, Mashable, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Forbes, INC., PR Week, and Advertising Age. Havens was also a professional actor.

Track A: IT, Facilities, or Data Center Case Studies

Saurabh Bhutani

Saurabh Bhutani is a Data Center Engineer for Box, Inc. He holds a B.Tech. in Computer Science from the Army Institute of Technology in Pune, India, and an M.S. in Network Security & System Administration with a minor in Leadership from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.

Mr. Bhutani’s key interests include leadership and technology. In his spare time he enjoys soccer, swimming, and running.


Mark Honer

Mark Honer has over 15 years of experience in IT operations, cross-functional team management, and call center design. Mark has developed key, mission-critical strategies to improve global datacenter operations, spearheaded high-performing teams, managed external IT vendors and negotiate contracts, turned around underperforming operations and resolved customer issues, overseen New Product Introduction (NPI) and product design, and implemented cost-saving initiatives and receive numerous commendations for outstanding support. Mark is a strategic, highly dynamic leader known for developing innovative solutions in fast-paced, deadline-critical environments. Mark has previously served as Senior Manager of Customer Support Labs for Juniper Networks and Manager, Customer Support for Xsigo Systems.


Dan Lunderville

Dan Lunderville has over 10 years as an IT management expert with experience in capacity planning and IT leadership. Dan regularly identifies and takes advantage of industry trends. Dan provides outstanding leadership, training, and support and has proven experience in infrastructure growth and capacity planning. Dan has worked on projects that migrated systems, maximizing business results and implement successful IT datacenter support strategies. He has delivered critical solutions to complex problems and implemented multi-million dollar cost containment strategies. Dan maintains strong relationships with technical and non-technical business experts and consistently delivered exceptional results within strict time and budget strategies. Dan is known for strategic thinking, innovative problem solving, and flexibility.


Harry Handlin

Harry Handlin is the director of critical power applications for GE’s Critical Power business. The business provides customers across various industries with mission critical power solutions ranging from the building to the box to the board.

Harry has responsibility for providing technical and application support of electrical distribution products as well as integrating other GE businesses to serve mission critical customers. He also collaborates with product management and technology teams to develop new products for the mission critical applications.

He is currently the technical committee chairman for The Green Grid; a non-profit, open industry consortium of end-users, policy-makers, technology providers, facility architects and utility companies. The primary goal of the organization is to improve resource efficiency of data centers and business computing ecosystems. Harry is also an instructor for the Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA), and instructs field service personnel on the principals of parallel switchgear for certification.

Harry graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama.


Mark Tango

Mark Tango is the Data Center Storage Director at BAE Systems where he manages a team of storage architects utilizing storage technology from various major vendors. The data Marks team manages is in the petabyte range with deployed capital assets reaching the $25 Million dollar area across numerous data centers. His team works to develop and drive storage policies and standardization to further reduce storage costs by controlling capacity and growth. Mark is a 2013 recipient of a Bronze Chairman’s award for “Saving millions with Data Center Moves” Mark Tango is a former Vice President of IT Operations and managing partner with a Boston area IT consulting firm for over 10 years. Mark has over 15 years’ experience in the IT field traveling domestically and internationally implementing and speaking about numerous IT projects. Mark holds numerous degrees, certifications and certificates within the computer science and, project management fields of study. Mark presents on various IT subject matters and empowers others to incite change in their lives with respect to the IT Industry.


Dale Sartor

Dale Sartor, P.E., is a staff scientist/engineer at LBNL where he focusses on building efficiency technology applications. He leads projects to develop and transfer new technology and stimulate the use of underutilized technology. Mr. Sartor has an AB in Architecture, and a Masters in Business Administration. He is a licensed Mechanical Engineer, and a licensed General Building Contractor. He has over forty years of professional experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy applications including ten years as a principal of an architecture and engineering company, and seven years as the head of LBNL’s In-House Energy Management Program. Currently Mr. Sartor is focused on RD&D on energy efficiency in buildings for high tech industries (i.e. laboratories, cleanrooms, and data centers). He oversees the Federal Energy Management Program’s new Center of Expertise for Data centers.


Troy Tazbaz

Troy Tazbaz joined Oracle in 2011, part of RE&F's Global Data Center and Lab Design organization, and is responsible for internal data center and lab requirements, right sizing, and design. In addition to validating new build requirements, Mr. Tazbaz is responsible for auditing existing facilities and campuses around the globe to identify stranded capacity, as well opportunities for energy efficiency as part of Oracle's Energy Management team.


Smarak Bhuyan

Innovative, resourceful, energetic and highly productive Senior Program management professional 10+ years of progressive and diverse experience in the Digital Infrastructure Industry. Expertise in all aspects program management in a Hyperscale environment, from requirements and concept development through functional needs assessment, development, testing, deployment and delivery. Experienced in launching data center efficiency strategies and programs, drive and manage strategic, diverse, complex, cross-functional, cross-geographical infrastructure initiatives with an extensive background in the following broad-based competencies:

  • Program Management
  • Vendor Mangement
  • Strategic Planning
  • Cloud Infrastructure Deployment
  • Global Data Center Relocation/Refresh/Consolidation
  • M&A Integrations
  • Technology Solutions
  • Virtualized Solution Delivery
  • Relationship Management
  • Core Infrastructure Framework Methodologies
  • Extensive network in the Digital Infrastructure Industry

Track B: Trending Industry Topics

Chuck Vondra

Chuck began his career in telecommunications in 1976, after majoring in Communications at Cal State Fullerton. Chuck has participated in the design, procurement and project management of over 750 systems installations and is considered one of the most knowledgeable and experienced telecommunications consultants in the industry. His skills include:

  • Telecommunications Needs Analysis
  • RFP design
  • Contact Center design
  • Contract negotiation
  • Application integration
  • Expense management
  • Systems networking
  • Project Management

Chuck has been a principal in Communication Strategies since 1987. Prior to that, Chuck held senior management positions in the telecommunications industry for Honeywell and Executone.


Brian Mata

Brian Mata joined TELADATA in 2010 as an Audiovisual Project Manager and offers over 15 years of experience in the audiovisual industry. Specializing in audiovisual and control systems integration, Brian has helped to plan, budget, design and commission systems for numerous vertical markets in government, education, utilities, petrochemical, transportation, health care, and technology, as well as for exclusive private estates. He specializes in strategic planning, coordination, technical design, management, infrastructure development, and room assessment with a focus on Corporate AV, Digital Signage, Network Operations/Command/Control Centers, Sound Reinforcement, Control Systems Integration, Paging, Tele-Conferencing/Tele-Presence and Unified Collaboration. Brian has diverse experience as a design consultant, control systems programmer, systems engineer, and audiovisual integrator within the rapidly changing technological landscape. He offers expertise in balancing these complex technology requirements with human and financial considerations, while providing comprehensive solutions and user education.


Robin Wechesser

Robin Weckesser, Managing Principal of Project Management at Cresa San Jose, is one of the Bay Area’s most experienced and accomplished executives in commercial real estate, workplace design and strategy, and project implementation management. Throughout his career of over 30 years, he has led his distinguished team of project managers in completing hundreds of domestic and global projects for technology and life sciences companies. He has managed construction of projects totaling over 3.5 million square feet and real estate transactions in excess of one million square feet, working with construction budgets exceeding $265 million.

Robin, who joined Cresa in 2006, previous ran his own consultancy; he started his career with Apple Computer.


Tamar Draper

Bio Coming Soon!


Nichole Stephenson

Nichole joined the marketing team at Teladata in 2005 and served in a variety of marketing and business development roles before being promoted to Senior Account Manager in April of 2013. Nichole provides account management functions for Teladata’s strategic accounts including proposal creation, project estimations, partner relationship management, document review, client satisfaction surveys, on-going project support and acts as the client liaison during the sales process. Nichole’s top priority on every project is ensuring client needs are met and Teladata resources are appropriately assigned for every engagement.

Nichole received her bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing and entrepreneurship from Chapman University. She is very active in local industry associations and has served in numerous leadership roles in the Silicon Valley Chapter of IFMA (International Facilities Management Association). She most recently served as their Chapter President in 2013.

Nichole has worked with over a hundred clients during her position at Teladata is currently responsible for well-known clients such as Juniper Networks, VMware, Apple, Walmart.com, Pandora, Exploratorium, Financial Engines, Fresenius Medical, Jive Software, Landmark Education, Success Factors, and many more.


Matt Halpin

Matt Halpin joined the TELADATA team in 2011 as an AV Consultant & Project Manager as part of the Audiovisual Practice Group.

Matt is responsible for technical system design and engineering as well as project management, budget preparation, contract administration, RFP Specification development, vendor/contractor review and selection, and installation management, including: on-going site inspections, submittal review, installation compliance, change order reviews, and project close out.

Matt brings over 15 years of Audiovisual expertise to TELADATA with a background that includes recording studio and live event production, Matt has worked as Studio Technician, Stage Technician, Live Sound Technician, AV Technician, AV Project Engineer & Commercial AV Installer, Foreman and Field Engineer.

Matt has broad AV technology expertise, troubleshooting expertise, design & project management skills. Matt’s open communication strategies prove essential in the development, design and implementation of audiovisual projects.


Paul Billings

Bio Coming Soon!


Alex Spilger

Bio Coming Soon!


Colin Hurd is currently the Head of Real Estate & Facilities at Responsys where is responsible for overseeing facility operations, financial planning, and the management of their global office expansion totaling more than 100,000 sq. ft. Previously, he was the Director of Real Estate & Facilities for firms such as SunPower, Tesla, and SAP Labs.


Ed Pate

Ed Pate is Director of Facilities Operations at SanDisk. Ed's industry experience includes Global Real Estate & Facilities senior management experience with VMware and Amazon Lab126. Ed has managed a multitude of both real estate & facilities projects globally, of up to $40 million. Ed specializes in international requirements and developing program designed to scale to company growth. Ed graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Management and also holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from San Francisco State University.


Dean Nelson

In my professional career I have been driven by one question - What's next? I love to solve complex problems and take on challenging projects. I live, eat and breath technology and push myself to come up with new ways to not only apply them, but push them further. I challenge the assumptions and push my leaders to think past their own experience. I also believe strongly in simplification. There are always different ways to look at challenges and innovate. Being a very visual person with a knack to see patterns, I can connect the dots allowing me to build strategies. I lead by example and surround myself with talented, passionate, dedicated people who are as motivated as I am to solving the next problem.

I feel that the range of positions I have held in my 23 year career has enabled me to be a well rounded executive who is able to see the opportunity, create and execute on the strategy and tell the story that resonates with customers and the industry.


Bruce Myatt, Founder of CFRT

4:30 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.

Bruce Myatt

Bruce Myatt, PE is a registered Mechanical Engineer in California and Founder of Silicon Valley’s Critical Facilities Round Table (CFRT) in San Francisco. He is President of Critical Facilities Solutions, a data center technical market consultant, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of The Data Centers, LLC (TDC), and Executive Editor at Mission Critical Magazine. Bruce has over 30 years of engineering consulting experience working with critical facilities such as data centers, semiconductor fabs, nuclear power plants, and DOE’s nuclear weapons production facilities. He is a Technical Columnist and member of the Board of Advisors for Mission Critical Magazine; member of DOE’s Energy Efficient High Performance Computing Working Group (EEHPCWG); member of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group energy efficiency committee, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sigma Phi Delta International Social-Professional Engineering Fraternity; and previously member the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of the Bay Area.

Bruce has recently led the development of design concepts for several state-of-the art data centers for some of the world’s largest internet and technology companies and for supercomputing facilities at DOE and R&D sites, involving modular and containerized solutions, combined air and liquid cooling systems, and variable tier level and power density environments. And, he is now leading the design of an alternative energy powered “micro-grid” and advanced “off grid” computing project which was selected as a finalist for Data Center Dynamics 2013 North American Award for “Forward Thinking and Design Concepts”. And, he has twice led his design team into the finals of the annual eBay design competitions for the Mercury and Quicksilver projects. Previously, Bruce helped pioneer the development and acceptance of the data center “air flow containment” concept and related “best” practices, and has been selected as a technical advisor by EPA, DOE, CEC, LBNL and PG&E to assist with programs focused on data center energy efficiency solutions. He has provided data center energy efficiency presentations at over twenty different and well-known data center conferences.