--- title: ibm-i-it-leadership-forum-virtual-conference-the-speakers --- [![fresche-virtual-conference-jan16-2](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/logos/fresche-virtual-conference-jan16-2.png?width=375&height=48&name=fresche-virtual-conference-jan16-2.png "fresche-virtual-conference-jan16-2")](https://go.freschesolutions.com/vc?hsLang=en-us) [**](https://go.freschesolutions.com/ibm-i-it-leadership-forum-virtual-conference-the-speakers#mobile-nav) [![Fresche Solutions](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fresche-Logo-1.png?width=170&height=69&name=Fresche-Logo-1.png "Fresche Solutions")](https://freschesolutions.com/) # MEET THE ** SPEAKERS ![Arnab Bag](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/arnab-bag-800x800.jpg?width=800&name=arnab-bag-800x800.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnabbag/) ## Arnab Bag #### Partner, CIO & Cloud Advisory - IBM Arnab is a senior executive at IBM with experience in designing and delivering application-enabled business transformation to major corporations. He has held leadership roles in both professional services and Fortune 500 corporate environments.  Arnab has extensive experience in managing  operations for professional services teams (technology, BPO & product engineering) across multiple industries. **Keynote Subject:** How to Improve Business with Digital Transformation Topics include: Innovating through digitization, developing IT strategies that focus on user experience, designing modern systems that leverage existing IT assets and building the right talent pool for an agile IT. ![Jim Duggan](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/jim-duggan-800x800-4-1.jpg?width=800&name=jim-duggan-800x800-4-1.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-duggan-252a2/) ## Jim Duggan #### IT Industry Analyst - Consultant [ex-Gartner] After 20 years as Research VP at Gartner, and over 35 years in IT, Jim has business, technical and modernization insight that is almost unmatched. Digital transformation and application modernization were a key element of his research, planning and APM initiatives. He currently consults with companies who benefit from his broad perspective in product and business development, as well as his ability to future-proof IT so that it continues to support evolving business initiatives. **Subject:** Digital Transformation, Culture & Challenges Topics include: Understanding digital transformation, Societal and generational aspects, mobile cloud, Key findings from market analysts. ![Chris Koppe](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/chris-koppe-800x800.jpg?width=800&name=chris-koppe-800x800.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-koppe-24668a3/) ## Chris Koppe #### SVP, Transformation & Modernization Services - Fresche Chris is widely recognized as a thought leader in IBM i modernization and is a regular speaker at conferences, events, and in webinars. Since joining Fresche in 1988, he has helped hundreds of companies worldwide develop and execute successful application management and modernization strategies, across a variety of platforms, languages, databases, and technologies. **Subject:** Innovating For Change - Aligning IT Initiatives to Business Value Leading the digital transformation initiative, Real world examples, Value creation in Modernization and where your IBM i fits in your IT Strategy. ![Brendan Kay](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/Brendan-Kay-square-grayscale-800x800.jpg?width=800&name=Brendan-Kay-square-grayscale-800x800.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-kay-8482019/) ## Brendan Kay #### CTO in Software Products - Fresche Brendan Kay is in charge of driving business development and connecting Fresche and Looksoftware solutions to the needs of the IBM i community. With over 20 years of experience in application development and computer communications, he believes the best solutions are simple, effective and sustainable. In his current position as Executive VP, Brendan uses his broad experience and his deep understanding of the IBM i market to ensure that the entire organization is aligned to provide effective and practical solutions to IBM i customers. **Subject:** AI and Watson In the Real-World This session, which is focused on real-world examples, emphasizes the business value derived from AI. After attending this session, IBM i clients will better understand where and how Watson/AI can be used in their organization ![Trevor Perry](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/trevor-perry-800x800.jpg?width=800&name=trevor-perry-800x800.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorperry/) ## Trevor Perry #### IBM i Strategist - Fresche With over 35 years of IBM i expertise, 12 years at Fresche Solutions (formerly looksoftware) and 5 years as an IBM i Champion, Trevor Perry has established himself as a thought leader and played a key role in educating the IBM i market on what’s possible on this operating system. He has extensive knowledge of green screen modernization and specializes in strategizing for high end user adoption rates of modernized applications. He also frequently presents at Power Systems events all over the world and regularly leads webinars on hot topics in the community such as IBM i Strategy and Green Screen Modernization best practices. He is a true IT strategist with a passion for public speaking and writing! **Subject:** Think Tank Trevor Perry will  lead you,  IT Industry Analyst and CIO Advisors into an engaging round of discussions on key initiatives in the market and have an open dialogue with attendees on top CIO issues and concerns. ![Nick Hampson](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/Nick-Hampson-w-background_800x800-gs-1.png?width=800&name=Nick-Hampson-w-background_800x800-gs-1.png) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hampson-26157810/) ## Nick Hampson #### Director, Design in Software Products - Fresche Passionate about design and User Experience, Nick works with Fresche Solutions to provide customers with modernized IBM i systems that offer a more productive User Experience, especially in mobile devices. He has recently moved into the position of Director, Design in Software Products. **Subject:** Design Thinking and the Importance of User Experience This session will discuss the value derived from taking a solution-based approach to solving problems, as well as the key advantages of developing solutions that are based on real understanding of the people they are being built for. ![Mike Pavlak](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/presenters/mike-pavlak_ibm-i-800x800-gs.jpg?width=800&name=mike-pavlak_ibm-i-800x800-gs.jpg) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepavlak/) ## Mike Pavlak #### IBM i Strategist - Fresche Mike Pavlak has been working with IBM midrange solutions since 1992 and IBM Mainframes before that. After years of developing applications using RPG, CL and PHP he managed IT development and IT for power protection manufacturer Tripp Lite. Later Mike was instrumental in developing the adoption of PHP as a primary solution for web development on IBM i working with Zend Technologies. Today, as an IT Strategist, Mike helps companies around the world approach the challenges of modernization and open source technologies. In addition to several roles as a volunteer with COMMON the premier IBM midrange user group, Mike also teaches PHP & Python classes part time at Moraine Valley Community College in Suburban Chicago. **Subject:** Why go open source on IBM i? As IBM continues to embrace open-source technologies such as Node.js, PHP and Git on IBM i, there are more and more compelling reasons to make open source a part of your IT strategy. ## VIEW ON MAP Location subheader text. Can be left blank if not needed. #### Company Name Company address, lorem ipsum dolor sit amet ## REGISTER ** TODAY Register for this free virtual conference. Attendees will learn about various approaches to digital transformation and see examples of IBM i environments that are applying different strategies. Register Now ### Registration form https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/273580/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/backgrounds/leading-your-organization-in-a-digital-era-fc.jpg center center [![Fresche Solutions logo (black)](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/logos/fresche-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png?width=189&name=fresche-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png "Fresche Solutions logo (black)")](https://www.freschesolutions.com) [![ibm logo](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/logos/ibm-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png?width=180&name=ibm-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png "ibm logo")](https://www.im.com) ![ITleadership forum logo](https://go.freschesolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EVENTS/2019%20Virtual%20Conference%20Fresche%20IT%20Leadership%20Forum/logos/it-leadership-forum-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png?width=208&name=it-leadership-forum-logo-dark-grey-297x129.png "ITleadership forum logo") ## FEATURED ** MEETINGS [**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xBBo5QQkw) ![event1-590x332_wm3.jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/281278/keynote/images/event1-590x332_wm3.jpg) [**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xBBo5QQkw) ![event1-590x332_wm3.jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/281278/keynote/images/event1-590x332_wm3.jpg) [**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xBBo5QQkw) ![event1-590x332_wm3.jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/281278/keynote/images/event1-590x332_wm3.jpg) https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/281278/keynote/images/banner-talking_wm.jpg center center