Kristine Harper
zNextGen Project Manager

Software Developer
NEON Enterprise Software, Inc.
E-mail: Kristine.Harper@neonesoft.com

Why zNextGen? It was too easy for me to say yes to this exceptional opportunity. We have nothing to lose, and it is exciting to play a role in a group that I consider critical to the future of the mainframe. As a zealous newbie myself, I think there are so few resources out there for up-and-coming mainframers, and that’s what zNextGen is all about – providing those resources, the information, the connections and the friendships that will help us navigate our careers and get comfortable in whatever mainframe role we are pursuing. Why zNextGen? Why not!! Click here to read Kristine Harper's blog

Iris Rivera
Lead IBM Project Representative

Software Engineer
IBM
E-mail: irivera@us.ibm.com

Why zNextGen? zNextGen is an excellent opportunity for me to network with peers and experienced professionals who are as passionate as I am about the mainframe. As a leader and a member of this community, I will have the chance to develop my technical skills by getting guidance on sessions I might want to attend based on my skills’ needs. I will also make contacts that will improve my overall SHARE experience, by having peers to attend sessions with, go out to lunch or dinner or participate in social events. I know that the professional relationships I build through zNextGen will benefit me at this and future SHARE conferences and throughout my career.

Reg Harbeck
zNextGen Deputy Project Manager

Product Manager, Mainframe Strategy
CA, Inc.
E-mail: Reg@ca.com

Why zNextGen? When I first became a mainframer in 1987, I noticed that I was over half a generation younger than my average fellow mainframer. As I’ve moved through my career, I’ve watched and listened as this generation has moved towards retirement and no new next generation was built to replace them. So, in 2005, I wrote an article (see Mainframe Management Skills: Securing the Future of the Enterprise at zJournal.com) and gave a SHARE presentation on the topic in Anaheim. Then, when I saw that zNextGen was created as part of the effort to create a new generation of mainframers, I realized it was a perfect match for my interests in this important issue – so I had to join!
Click here to read Reg Harbeck's blog 

Deric Abel
Project Officer

America First
E-mail: dabel@americafirst.com

Why zNextGen?

coming soon!

Justin Bastin
Project Officer

MVS System Programmer and Analyst
CA, Inc.
E-mail: Justin.Bastin@ca.com

Why zNextGen? Being new to the “Mainframe” world, zNextGen provides an excellent opportunity to develop my technical skills as well as the interpersonal skills that are needed to excel within this environment. The zNextGen organization is the future of our business and having the opportunity to collaboratively mold its future is rewarding. Networking amongst the zNextGen community represents a revolving door of learning that never ends and does not exist anywhere else. My zNextGen experiences thus far have been the breath of fresh air that allows me to know that “I am not alone!”

Vit Gottwald
Project Officer

CA, Inc.
E-mail: vit.gottwald@ca.com

Why zNextGen?

 coming soon!

Linda Mooney
Project Officer

Sr. IT Analyst
County of Sacramento
Email: CamozziL@saccounty.net 


Why zNextGen? It was irresistible! I am intensely curious and always after new things to learn. It was just natural that when the z/OS installers at my shop retired and left for new opportunities that I would leap at the opportunity to ‘step up'. Of course that means I have a lot to learn. What could be more perfect? With zNextGen I have the opportunity to learn from the best. I also have the honor of helping some of the new folks.

Dustin Ratliff
Project Officer

IT Operations Analyst, Progressive
E-mail: dratlif1@progressive.com

Why zNextGen? I joined zNextgen for the opportunity to network with my peers and meet fellow young mainframe professionals. It offers a great opportunity to get involved in the mainframe culture at a beginners level and learn from others at or above the level of your understanding. The learning and networking opportunities that z/nextgen provide are invaluable, it definitely opens the door and provides guidance into and at the SHARE conference and outside of it as well.

Sandy Cureton
SHARE's IBM Liaison

IBM
E-mail: scureton@us.ibm.com

Why zNextGen? If you’re new to SHARE and not sure where to find support from IBM on a different topic, I’m your guy. It’s my job to help connect you to the people in IBM who can help you.

Mike Todd
IBM Project Representative

Software Engineer
IBM
E-mail: todd@us.ibm.com

Why zNextGen? zNextGen naturally connects with my job on IBM’s Academic Initiative, helping to develop the next generation of mainframe professionals. The idea of giving new mainframers a forum for networking and sharing ideas and experiences makes so much sense that I can’t imagine passing up the opportunity to be a part of it. I’ve already found the zNextGen community to be full of enthusiastic, talented and friendly people, and it’s only going to get better from here.

Abbey Nystedt
SHARE Headuarters

Coordinator
SHARE Headquarters
E-mail: anystedt@share.org

Why zNextGen? zNextGen is geared especially around the needs of two professional segments: students just embarking on their careers in enterprise technology, and established IT professionals increasing their responsibilities to include support and administration of mainframe systems. The spoken goal of the zNextGen community is to provide the gateway for newcomers to leverage the experience of mainframe veterans and accelerate their professional development in this important segment of the IT workforce.

Martin Timmerman
SHARE Immediate Past President

University of Waterloo
E-mail: mtimm@ist.uwaterloo.ca

Why zNextGen? The zNextGen initiative is an excellent example of SHARE and IBM working together to build community, raise awareness of the System z platform and its adherents and position a next generation of professionals to support enterprise computing. This is an exciting opportunity for SHARE in so many ways. The mainframe experts at SHARE have eager participants desirous to learn. The zNextGen community has a forum for discussion. Our technical agenda has a new method of influence to ensure it meets the needs of a diverse audience. SHARE has opportunity for a new audience. There’s lots of reasons for zNextgen – SHARE is proud to be an active participant.

Skip Robinson
SHARE MVS Program Co-manager

Systems Programmer
So. Cal. Edison
E-mail: robinsjo@sce.com

Why zNextGen? Speaking as a confirmed over-the-hiller, zNG is important because no matter how well you treat your kids, you can’t really trust them to put you in a rest home that offers affordable high speed wireless internet. Which means that some day the good and trusting folks back at the ranch will have to get along without me. I would feel so much better rocking away on the common area porch knowing that my role in stroking and feeding the mainframe has been passed on to caring and capable hands. That culture is what zNextGen is all about.

Christopher Westbrook
Volunteer

Systems Engineer
Defense Information Systems Agency
E-mail: WestbroC@den.disa.mil

Why zNextGen? I have been on the lookout for a professional organization capable of helping me assimilate into the mainframe community for some time. zNextGen has been a great way for me to network with mainframe professionals both outside of my organization and within a very large and otherwise unavailable knowledgebase. I look forward to the relationships, opportunities, and knowledge to be gained as a result of zNextGen.