Event Date
December 11, 2024
Time
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
About Event
Night of 1000 Stars is a festive evening where our vibrant tech community gathers to celebrate creativity, knowledge, and the holiday spirit. Unlike traditional events, this night is shaped entirely by you—the attendees! 13 of our own have volunteered to present short, engaging sessions on any topic of their choice, spanning just 5–7 minutes each. From fascinating tech tidbits to unexpected personal stories, every presentation adds a unique sparkle to the night. You never know what you’ll learn, but you’re guaranteed to leave inspired.
This casual and welcoming event is all about fun and celebration. With nearly 100 exciting prizes up for grabs, including some worth up to $150, everyone has a chance to win! Trivia questions throughout the evening give you the opportunity to select a prize, while our special raffles for the very best prizes add an extra layer of excitement. Earn raffle tickets at registration, by answering trivia, or even by promoting #LISUG on social media. It’s a chance to share, connect, and embrace the season’s joy while discovering new ideas. Come for the stories, stay for the surprises, and make memories that will shine brightly long after the night ends!
Schedule
Starlit Spotlights
Kick off the evening with dazzling presentations and intriguing ideas.
5:00 PM
Networking & Cocktail Hour
Connect and enjoy our open bar.
6:00 PM
Dinner & Q&A
Interactive session over dinner.
7:00 PM
Shooting Stars
Close out the night with even more captivating and inspiring talks.
8:00 PM
Session Ends
Wrapping up with gratitude
9:00 PM
What Will You Learn?
Unexpected Insights
Discover unique ideas and perspectives as speakers share fascinating topics of their choice, from tech trends to personal hobbies.
Community Connection
Experience the warmth of the tech community in a casual, festive setting that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
Holiday Inspiration
Soak in the holiday spirit while gaining fresh knowledge, celebrating achievements, and enjoying lively presentations.
Keynote Speakers
Nicole Francese
Account Executive, Data Storage Solutions at IBM
Nicole Francese is an IBM Storage Specialist for the New York Metro and Long Island region, dedicated to helping organizations safeguard their data against cyber threats. With a passion for data security and a talent for solving complex business challenges, Nicole provides innovative solutions to optimize storage infrastructure and protect critical information. Originally from Austin, Texas, Nicole is a proud alumna of the University of Texas at Austin. Outside of work, she enjoys playing soccer, pickleball, fishing, and exploring new destinations. Known for her open-mindedness, creativity, and tenacity, Nicole brings a can-do attitude to every challenge she tackles.
Nima Bank
IT Systems Manager | Assistant Project Manager at PC Richard & Son
Nima Banks is a seasoned technology professional with over 18 years of experience in systems management across diverse industries and platforms. Armed with an MBA in Information Systems, Nima combines a keen analytical mind with an exceptional eye for detail, enabling him to deliver successful outcomes on complex projects while maintaining a clear focus on the big picture.
Roy Goldstein
CEO at Capricorn Information Systems
Roy Goldstein is the CEO of Capricorn Information Systems, where he leads with vision and expertise to deliver innovative technology solutions. With extensive experience in the tech industry, Roy is dedicated to driving growth and ensuring Capricorn Information Systems remains at the forefront of cutting-edge advancements.
Steve Riedmueller
IBM i (AS400) Tech Lead at Wiley
Steve has been working on the IBM i platform in a System Administration/Engineering role since 2001. He has developed an expertise in system security, performance, communications, and various IBM and 3rd-party software packages including WAS, MQ, Apache, OnDemand, LANSA, Zend, Synon, and more. Steve holds a B.S. from Rutgers University. In recent years Steve has become a COMMON and WMCPA speaker, an N2i mentor, and taken a leadership role in the N2i committee. In the world of IBM i technology, Steve is passionate about process improvement. He enjoys leveraging IBM i SQL Services for administration/operations tasks such as security and performance, as well as automation. In his free time Steve enjoys StarCraft 2, weight lifting, and RVing.
Lenny Thaw
Information Security Officer at PC Richard & Son
Leonard Thaw is the Information Security Officer at PC Richard & Son, with nine years of dedicated service. He has a strong background in IT, having served as an IT Specialist at the same company. Leonard's experience extends beyond IT, including roles as Operations Manager at The Lend A Hand Project and President of Easy Systems, Inc. He has also held several educational positions, such as Director of Education at various temples. Leonard's extensive expertise in information security and IT management makes him a valuable asset to any organization.
Clark Heiser
Project Manager at PC Richard & Son
Clark Heiser is a Project Manager at PC Richard & Son, with over 30 years of experience in the retail industry. He has a robust background as a Senior Software Developer, skilled in IBM i, IBM DB2, and retail technologies. Clark holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Mathematics from Herbert H. Lehman College. His career at PC Richard & Son includes roles as a Sr. Programmer/Analyst and Project Manager. Prior to this, he worked as an AVP, Programmer/Analyst at Marsh & McLennan Companies, and a Programmer/Analyst at Anistics, a division of Alexander & Alexander.
Jared Fleming
Software Developer at PC Richard & Son
Jared Fleming is a Software Developer at PC Richard & Son, where he has been contributing since September 2020. With expertise in relational databases and REST APIs, Jared brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Prior to this, he honed his skills at Flatiron School as a Student Software Engineer. Jared's career also includes roles as a Program Coordinator at Student Management Group and a B2B Sales Counselor at Staples. His extensive experience in software development and sales makes him a versatile and valuable professional in the tech industry.
Justin Loeber
Owner / CEO at Kisco Systems
Justin is the CEO of Kisco Systems, a renowned developer of IBM i security and compliance software. At Kisco, he leads the mission to secure every IBM i system by prioritizing education within the IBM i community about security measures, consistently enhancing product offerings, and delivering unmatched value. With a profound history in the IBM midrange sphere, stemming from his family's establishment of Kisco Systems in 1984, Justin transitioned to Kisco in 2021 after a successful career in web applications and IT leadership, including various CIO roles. His decision to join Kisco reflects his commitment to steering the company towards an exclusive focus on IBM i security solutions.
Michael Jacobs
IBM i Architect at United HealthCare
Mike Jacobs brings a wealth of experience to IBM i Systems Management, tracing his journey back to the AS/400 era with V2R1. Over the years, he has lent his expertise to esteemed organizations such as Home Insurance, EMI-Capitol Records, JP Morgan Chase, and presently, United HealthCare, where he serves as their IBM i Architect. Mike's professional journey includes a myriad of accomplishments, from orchestrating OS upgrades and hardware migrations to leading Production/DR Role swaps and implementing advanced security measures like encrypted communications. Notably, he has played pivotal roles in industry groups, serving as a senior co-chair of the Large User Group (LUG) and president of LISUG, where he currently serves on the board. Beyond his professional pursuits, Mike shares his passion for creativity at craft shows with his wife, Joanne, showcasing her remarkable artwork.
Katherine Jean-Charles
Frontend Developer/Software Engineer at PC Richard & Son
Katherine Jean-Charles is a dynamic professional transitioning from office management to software engineering. Her career journey reflects a unique blend of organizational expertise and technical ambition. In her role as an office manager, Katherine developed exceptional problem-solving skills, multitasking abilities, and effective communication—qualities she now brings to the world of software development.
Alan Seiden
Principal at Seiden Group
Alan Seiden, principal at Seiden Group, stands out for his significant contributions to IBM i web and mobile application development, focusing on PHP, Python, Node.js, and open-source technologies. He has played a critical role in co-developing IBM's PHP Toolkit and is a pioneer Zend Framework engineer, earning him the title "performance guru of PHP on IBM i." Alan is highly regarded in the tech community, serving in an advisory capacity on the IBM/COMMON PHP Advisory Board and sharing his expertise at leading conferences such as COMMON and ZendCon. Beyond his technological achievements, Alan is also passionate about playing the trombone and teaching the Feldenkrais Method®, reflecting his commitment to both innovation and personal development.
Dave Taylor
Storage Executive Architect & Technical Strategist at IBM
Dave Taylor is currently the Storage Executive Architect and Technical Strategist for IBM National Market accounts in the State of New York. Prior to this role, Dave’s most recent role was as part of the IBM/Accenture Strategic Partner team as the Worldwide Technical Strategist. In this role, he developed strategies and solutions in partnership with Accenture to create mutual solutions that amplify both Accenture’s and IBM’s value proposition while providing the customer with comprehensive solutions for both On-Premise and Cloud based business problems. Prior to that role he was the Executive Architect for IBM’s Strategic Partner ecosystem where he created innovative solutions for IBM’s customers looking to modernize and migrate parts of their legacy application environments to a cloud centric design and to receive the value and benefit of utilizing multiple cloud providers simultaneously. As an integral part of this role, Dave helped customers navigate data governance laws and how best to ensure compliance and data protection in a multi-cloud environment. Dave joined the IBM Strategic Partner team in 2010 as the Worldwide Architect for the Telecommunications, Media, and Entertainment Industry, where he specialized in rich media (e.g., video surveillance and broadcast solutions). In prior roles he served as the lead architect for the Americas for IBM’s Storage product portfolio and he has extensive knowledge in the areas of Industrial and Process Control with his prior work in industrial automation.
Mark Giordano
System & Security Manager at Jamaica Bearings Group
Mark Giordano brings over 20 years of expertise and innovation to the table as a seasoned information technology professional. With a proven track record of success in systems engineering within the aerospace distribution industry, Mark excels in navigating dynamic IT environments to deliver impactful results. His technical prowess, combined with exceptional project management and analytical skills, has driven cost reductions, enhanced efficiencies, and seamless systems implementations. A natural leader and communicator, Mark is skilled at directing teams, troubleshooting complex challenges, and mastering cutting-edge technologies. His dedication to consulting, training, and optimizing processes makes him a valuable asset to any organization.
Alistair Symon
Vice President of Development @IBM Storage at IBM
Alistair Symon is the Vice President of Development at IBM Storage, where he leads a world-class team dedicated to driving innovation and delivering cutting-edge storage solutions. With over seven years of experience in this role, Alistair has been at the forefront of creating products that empower clients to succeed in a hybrid multi-cloud world, harnessing the power of data, AI, performance optimization, and data protection. A visionary leader with a passion for innovation, Alistair excels in guiding development teams to achieve their maximum potential, ensuring that IBM Storage remains a key enabler of client success. Outside of his professional pursuits, Alistair is an avid astrophotographer, capturing the beauty of the cosmos through his lens.