Overview

Red Hat, the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, continues its support of Raleigh with its headquarters recent move to downtown. Hear how the company drives innovation by collaborating with its global network of customers, partners, and contributors and how Triangle businesses can tap Red Hat’s resources for growth.

The program will include a demonstration of Red Hat’s latest cloud and mobile technologies, covering resources for local software developers; as well as an overview of Red Hat’s corporate strategy for entrepreneurs and companies interested in adopting open source to expand to new markets.

Location & Parking Information:

AJ Fletcher Opera Theater at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

2 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

There are multiple parking lots, all conveniently located near the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Parking is $7.00 per car. Look for the "Event Parking" signs and the attendants with the blue aprons.

Featured Speakers:

• DeLisa Alexander, executive vice president and chief people officer, Red Hat
• Michael Ferris, director of business architecture, Red Hat
• Burr Sutter, senior product manager Red Hat/JBoss, Red Hat

Who Should Attend:

DeLisa Alexander

DeLisa Alexander, executive vice president and chief people officer, leads the organization responsible for global human resources, including Red Hat® University. The organization's mission is to be a strategic partner to the business in acquiring, developing, and retaining talent and to enhance the Red Hat culture and talent brand. Red Hat has been recognized as one of the best places to work in multiple publications around the globe on many occasions.

In 2010, Alexander received a "Women in Business" executive award from the Triangle Business Journal. Alexander serves on the executive committee of the Board of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the NC State Management College Diversity Board, and the advisory boards of the Connected Women of North Carolina and the Raleigh Junior League.

Alexander joined Red Hat in 2001 and served in the office of General Counsel until mid 2006, most recently as assistant general counsel and assistant secretary. During this time, Alexander was responsible for, among other items, equity and executive compensation, and trademark, copyright, and employment matters. Alexander also advised the company's management and board of directors on securities and corporate governance.

Prior to joining Red Hat, Alexander was associated with the law firm Kilpatrick Stockton where she focused on mergers, acquisitions, venture capital, and intellectual property licensing. She started her career as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William B. Chandler, chancellor of the renowned Delaware Court of Chancery. Alexander graduated magna cum laude with a BBA from James Madison University, holds an MBA from the University of Baltimore, and earned her Juris Doctor, with distinction, from George Mason University.

Michael Ferris

Michael Ferris is the responsible for the consistency of Red Hat's product offerings, subscription models, and pricing across all routes to market, programs, and emerging business models . Ferris has more than 20 years of experience in enterprise software development and solution offerings. He led product marketing and management teams at Red Hat during the conception, definition, and first three releases of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux flagship product line. Most recently, Ferris spearheaded the strategy and execution of Red Hat's offerings under consumption-based models, including the introduction of Cloud compatible business models for many of Red Hat's offerings and the creation of the Red Hat Certified Cloud Provider program.

Prior to joining Red Hat in 2000, Ferris lead design, product management, and development at both start-up and enterprise software firms, including Relativity Technologies, Micro Focus, and Burl Software. Ferris holds a master's degree in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University.

Burr Sutter

Burr Sutter currently leads Red Hat's efforts to enable Mobile, Cloud and Web application developers with a focus on Tools (i.e., JBoss Developer Studio, Forge) and Frameworks (i.e.,TorqueBox, RichFaces, Aerogear). Burr spent 8 years as President of the Atlanta Java Users Group, founded the DevNexus developer conference, and established the International Association of Software Architects in Atlanta. Burr has also been recognized as a Java Champion and has been a part of the JBoss organization since 2006. In these roles he has been a frequent presenter at developer-focused events around the globe, including Prague, Beijing, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany. Learn more at www.burrsutter.com and twitter.com/burrsutter.