Ambassadors
Ambassadors are seasoned members who help grow and promote NCTA. They share their perspective on NCTA's value to prospective members and help make new members feel welcome. We encourage you to please reach out to the Ambassadors below. They would be happy to answer your questions, provide helpful information or just meet for a cup of coffee.
AMBASSADOR CHAIRS
Ron Unger, President & CEO
WorkSmart
Vice-Chair, Membership
NCTA Board of Directors
Ken Bryson, DC74 Data Centers
Alma Mater: Western Carolina University
"I firmly believe that NCTA has no equal for connecting people and ideas, developing business opportunities, and providing thought leadership for all companies that leverage information technology in North Carolina."
Favorite Place to Vacation: From the mountains to the beach; it’s all my favorite!
Rich Lounsbury, Windstream Hosted Solutions
Alma Mater: BS State University of NY Institute of Technology, MBA Pace University
"NCTA provides a great forum for technology leaders in North Carolina to connect on important issues affecting business today. Windstream Hosted Solutions is proud to partner with and support NCTA."
Favorite thing to do in NC: Play Golf
Favorite NC sports team: Carolina Hurricanes!
Mary Storms, STORMS Associates
Alma Mater: MS from University of Texas at Dallas; BA from William & Mary
"NCTA helped my company by connecting us with smart, reputable people who are actively involved with the care and feeding of NC's tech community."
Favorite Food: Eastern NC vinegar-based chopped or pulled pork barbeque - hands down the best BBQ!
AMBASSADORS
Karen Bell, Freudenberg IT
Alma Mater: UNC – BSPH, NCSU – MBA
"NCTA has made a positive impact on the state's technology industry by providing a valuable platform for thought leadership, exchange and networking.
Favorite NC Event or Attraction: NC Hot Sauce Festival
James Bellew, Logical Advantage
Alma Mater: University of Utah, currently enrolled in MBA program at Capella University
"NCTA has made a positive impact on the state’s technology industry by creating a forum for technology companies to band together to build/expand North Carolina's leadership in the technology sector."
Favorite NC Restaurant: Right now it's Cowfish!
Jennifer Bosser, Wake County Economic Development
Alma Mater: Towson University
"If you want to connect with the who's who in North Carolina that are leading the technology decisions, purchases and innovation, then you need to become a member of NCTA. NCTA provides a forum for technology executives in North Carolina to engage and partner with one another."
Favorite Place to Vacation: Boone in August, Outer Banks in the Spring and Fall
Seth Carpien, Small Footprint
Alma Mater: The College of Wooster
"NCTA has made a positive impact on the state’s technology industry by being an advocate for and connecting members."
Favorite NC Food: BBQ
Michelle Coviello, HireNetworks
Alma Mater: Boston College (Go Eagles!)
"NCTA is the place to network and get to know other IT professionals in North Carolina."
Favorite NCTA Vacation Destination: Asheville
Garrett Droege, JJ Wade & Associates
Alma Mater: UNC at Wilmington
"NCTA is an association that not only helps grow your technology business; it helps grow tech business across the region. We are lucky to have such an active and involved group of technology professionals whose sole purpose is to show the world what we already know – NC is THE state for technology!"
Favorite NC Vacation Destination: Mountains in the Fall
Karen Geringer, tw telecom
Alma Mater: UNC Greensboro
"NCTA events are high profile and help my company connect with complementary companies and their employees. Important connections are made at NCTA events and are a great investment of my time."
Favorite NC Event: Krispy Kreme Challenge
Scott Greenwood, Greene Resources
Alma Mater: State University of New York, College at Brockport
"NCTA is the best organization of its kind that I have ever been a part of in 15 years of being involved in IT."
Favorite NC Food: Shrimp and Grits (yum, never had them before now)
Marlon Headen, Altruent Systems
Alma Mater: THE University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"NCTA helped me by being a conduit for building key business relationships, identifying current trends/ business practices, increasing awareness of emerging technologies, and a great place to fish for compliments on new suits and ties."
Favorite NC Sports Team: Everything Carolina: HEELS, Hurricanes, Panthers
Craig Landwehr, Six Disciplines Triangle
Alma Mater: OSU & University of Toledo
"NCTA is a wonderful opportunity for technology leaders in our state, as well as a wonderful asset to our state's economic development."
Favorite NC Sports Team: Carolina Hurricanes, of course!
Kristi Lee-John, Crossroads PR
Alma Mater: Meredith College
"NCTA helped my company by getting myself and my employees out of the day-to-day minutia to focus on the bigger picture. The education and connections made through NCTA events are also key to the growth of my company."
Favorite NC Vacation Destination: It's a tie between Asheville, NC and any of the great beaches in our state.
Tessa M. Machen, CCCi
Alma Mater: Georgia State University/Savannah State University
"NCTA is a great organization to get involved in and a great way to meet people who challenge and motivate you in the IT industry."
Favorite NC Vacation Destination: Blowing Rock, NC
Sid Mitchener, Vaco LLC
Alma Mater: Virginia Military Institute
"We started Vaco, LLC in Raleigh in 2004, and NCTA was an excellent resource for us to get engaged back into the NC technology community through small committees, speaking events and volunteer opportunities."
Favorite NC Food: Bar-B-Que!!!!!!!
Curt Quigley, Corus360
Alma Mater: UCONN
"NCTA is a great organization helping to bring together everyone in our tech industry."
Favorite NC Event: The MS Breakaway to the Beach cycling ride.
Chuck Starratt, Time Warner Cable Business Class
Alma Mater: University of Connecticut
"NCTA is a great way to engage and network with the best people and companies in NC."
Favorite NC Restaurant: Villa Antonio in Charlotte
Matt Williams, CSC Leasing
Alma Mater: University of Virginia
"My favorite NCTA event is the NCTA Golf Tournament in summer."
Favorite NC Event or Attraction: NC White Water Center
For more information, contact Alison Gordon at 919.890.0775 or Email Alison.