Speaker Profiles

Just Added: Biography of Keynote Speaker, Madeleine Forrer

Jose Alvear, Editor/IPTV Analyst, Multimedia Research Group
Alvear, specializes in digital media research and analysis including IPTV, streaming media and digital video recorders. Since the early days of the Internet, he has been at the forefront of the high-tech industry working as an editor, freelance writer, news reporter, researcher, and book author. In 1998, Alvear wrote the first technical book on streaming called "Guide to Streaming Multimedia" and co-authored many others. He is an expert in many digital technologies such as online music, Internet video and interactive TV and maintains multiple blogs about these topics. He has a BA in English from Brooklyn College. Register Now!

Bernie Arnason, Managing Partner & Founder, Pivot Media LLC
Bernie brings 15 years of telecom experience to Pivot Media, where he provides strategic direction and management. Bernie is a well respected leader within the telecom industry and is a frequent speaker and panelist at regional and national events. Bernie follows the telecom industry closely and conducts and authors industry research and whitepapers, and develops and manages compelling conferences and events. Bernie is also the managing editor of Telecompetitor, a web based hub and forum focusing on the evolving telecom competitive landscape. Register Now!

Deepesh Arora, Director, Application Testing, Ixia
Arora leads development of Ixia's industry leading Layer 4-7 products for IPTV and Triple Play testing. His areas of expertise include application layer delivery and testing technologies with a strong background in computer networking including routing, and network security. Arora has been in product management at Ixia since 2002. Prior to Ixia, he held positions with Wind River Systems. Arora has Masters Degree from the University of Southern California and a BS from the University of Bombay. Register Now!

Mitchell Berman,Chief Executive Officer, XillianTV Corporation
Berman is the CEO of XillianTV, the next-generation television network operating company, c ombining the familiar consumer experience of television with the unlimited capabilities of an IP delivery network. Formerly, Berman was the Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for C-COR (NASDAQ:CCBL), where he led the global marketing strategy for the company's video on demand, digital ad insertion, optical transport and operations support software products.  He is a 25-year industry executive that includes 5 start-ups and IPO, including SVP of Worldwide Marketing and Operations at OpenTV (NASDAQ:OPTV), SVP of Strategic Business Development & General Manager of Galaxy Media/East Coast Pay TV Ltd – (aka News Corporation's FOXTEL in Australia), Marketing Director at Sky Network Television New Zealand, VP of Affiliate Sales at E! Entertainment Television, and Regional Manager of Affiliate Operations at Home Box Office (HBO/Cinemax). Register Now!

Trevor Bonnstetter, CEO, West Kentucky Rural Telephone
Trevor R. Bonnstetter serves as CEO, of West Kentucky Rural Telephone that serves counties in western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee. West Kentucky provides internet, cellular, long distance services, WildBlue, Direct TV and has a technology store that offers computers, computer repair, cell phones and televisions. One new service that is being added is IPTV; beta installations are being made at this time. In addition to managing West Kentucky Telephone, he serves on the boards of IRIS Networks and is presently serving as Secretary-Treasurer of NRTC. Trevor Bonnstetter has served as President of the Kentucky Telephone Association and of the Tennessee Telephone Association. Register Now!

Josette Bonte, Vice President Digital Media, Cookie Jar Entertainment
Bonte's responsibilities with Cookie Jar include negotiating distribution agreements with all the new media platforms (telco VOD, IPTV, broadband and mobile) in the domestic and international markets. Dr. Bonte joined Cookie Jar from Ovum where she served as the company's Vice President of Content and IPTV, working on IPTV deployment strategies with large service provider clients like AT&T, France Telecom and BT. She has twelve years of experience as an executive working in the film and television production and distribution industries followed by thirteen years in new media and telecommunications. Previously, Dr. Bonte served as Executive Director of Unifrance Film, founded EuroScreen Partners, and served as Senior Vice President, Business Development, for online games company Media Station, Inc. She also previously worked as IP Content strategist and Chief Advisor for PanAmSat Net/36 Content Delivery Network, and Head of Strategic Marketing, Entertainment and Interactive Services for US West (now Qwest). Dr. Bonte received an M.F.A from the UCLA School of Film and Television in 1981 and a Ph.D. in Telecommunications and New Media from the Sorbonne in 1996 and is the author of a best-selling book published by French publisher PUF in 1995 entitled La Television a la Carte aux Etats-Unis. Register Now!

Jane Bremer, President, Bremer Law
As President of Bremer Law, P.C., a law firm specializing in the legal, business, and regulatory issues affecting the communications industry, Bremer works with government agencies nationwide, manages regulatory compliance, and directs critical projects such as initial and renewed operating authority and transfers of ownership. She has also participated in state and federal regulatory and legislative efforts nationwide and has assisted businesses seeking to provide services to government entities. Prior to founding Bremer Law, Bremer served as a shareholder and chaired the Telecommunications Practice Group at the law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren, Ltd. Throughout her nearly 30 year career, she also has served as the Executive Vice President of government affairs consulting company Solutions, Inc.; the Director of Telecommunications for the City of Minneapolis; the Director of Government and Community Relations at Storer Cable Communications; and as a legislative lobbyist/trade association manager for various clients. Bremer earned her Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. Register Now!

Laura Buddine, CEO, Iacta LLC & Architect, Games4TV
Buddine is the CEO of Iacta LLC and the architect of Iacta's Games4TV service for IPTV operators. Her iTV career began in 1985 when she designed Thomson's set-top box. From 1986 - 1992, she was the founder and CEO of Tiger Media, which launched some of the first interactive multimedia CD-ROM software (CD-I, Fujitsu FM-Towns, Commodore CDTV, MPC, etc.) and created award-winning multimedia tools for Sun workstations. She then created a team to work on TimeWarner's Full Service Network, and in 1994, founded Iacta LLC to produce an interactive documentary for The Discovery Channel. For more than a decade, Iacta has been delivering iTV services to consumers via Internet appliances through its Net4TV destination, and has derived its suite of successful IPTV applications and services from this real-world experience. Iacta's Games4TV service is currently deployed with operators in IPTV, cable, hospitality, and health care, as well as directly to consumer via the Internet for computer and Internet TV platforms. Register Now!

David Carnevale, Vice President, Multimedia Content and Distribution, iSuppli
Carnevale's background encompasses over 20 years of executive-level private and public industry, marketing consulting and market research experience in a number of high technology businesses ranging from semiconductors to multimedia services. Additionally, he has extensive experience in product positioning, marketing strategy and tactics, primary market research, product marketing, product development, and competitive analysis. Most recently, Carnevale was VP of Marketing and Business Development for American Technology Corporation, a leader in highly directed audio solutions for digital signage applications. He has served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Path 1 Network Technologies; Senior Vice President of Marketing at Mitsubishi Electronics for their multimedia display products; and VP of Marketing at PageNet, Director of Marketing at Compaq's telecommunications division. Carnevale received an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Register Now!

Brian Caskey, VP of Worldwide Marketing, UTStarcom
Caskey is responsible for the Worldwide Marketing organization at UTStarcom. Previously, he was responsible for Strategic Marketing of Next Generation Wireline and Wireless SoftSwitch based packet networks. In his three years with the company, Caskey has spoken at many industry related events and evangelized SoftSwitch and Packetized Telephony throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Caskey has also designed ATM, Frame Relay and IP networks for retail, financial, public utility and service provider clients. Caskey has over twenty years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining UTStarcom, he held positions at 3Com, Timeplex and GTE Spacenet. Register Now!

Bill DeMuth, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, SureWest Communications
DeMuth began his career at SureWest in 1976 and thereafter held various positions with increasing responsibility. In addition to his current responsibilities in strategic planning and business development, DeMuth focuses on assessing new technologies and overseeing corporate technology initiatives. He serves on the United States Telecom Association's engineering committee, is a member of the Board of Directors for ATIS, a technical planning and standards development organization, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Placer County Child Abuse Prevention Council. DeMuth holds a master’s degree in telecommunications management from Golden Gate University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from California State Polytechnic University. Register Now!

Phil Erli, Executive Vice President, Ringgold Telephone Company
Phil has been a part of the local exchange telephone industry for 34 years. Prior to joining Ringgold Telephone Company, he spent six years with Cronin Communications, a consulting firm specializing in business expansion opportunities for independent telephone operating companies. Phil is a frequent speaker at various national and state association meetings for the telephone induswtry; NTCA, USTA, Telephone Association of New England, Carolinas and Virginia Telephone Association, Utah Rural Telephone Association, etc. Register Now!

Madeleine Forrer, Vice President, Video Services, National Rural Telecommunication Cooperative
Forrer develops the strategic business direction for the Video Services business. She is currently focused on the launch of the latest video technology, Internet protocol television, or IPTV, that NRTC members will be offering consumers in the coming months. Forrer joins NRTC with more than 20 years of video services and entertainment experience, including her work with United Video, Inc. (TV Guide), The Family Channel, and most recently Cident Entertainment. In her role as senior vice president and general manager with the TV Guide Channel, she oversaw a $12 million budget and led product vision strategy and positioning and managed the marketing, programming, promotions and broadcast operations. She grew the subscriber base by 20 million and led the brand introduction for the Prevue Channel and its subsequent re-branding to the TV Guide Channel. Forrer is a member of Women in Cable and Telecommunications and the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing. She has won two Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) awards for marketing excellence, as well as a Telly Award for new on-air design package. She has also won a BDA Silver Award and an Addy Award. Register Now!

Trey Gaskins, COO, DAVE Networks
Gaskins is the President and COO after serving as a strategic consultant in 2005.  Prior to DAVE Networks, he was Managing Director of Angel Business Catalyst, LLC, a consulting firm assisting companies with developing their  “Core Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values” allowing them to better align DAVresources in strategic areas.  In 1995, he started Advanced TeleMedia, Inc, a private cable television company.  As founder and CEO, he grew the company for 8 years while raising over $30M.  The firm was sold to Comcast in 2002, with one of the highest valuations in their market.   Gaskins began his career with IBM in the ROLM division.  During his sales and management tenure, he was promoted several times and eventually became a Regional Sales Manager for Siemens ROLM. Register Now!

Keith Galitz, President, Canby Telecom
Keith Galitz has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Over his career within the Bell System and Qwest Communications, he held a variety of both legal and senior management positions. He has also been employed as the President of the Oregon Division of a CLEC, prior to joining Canby Telephone Association as its President and General Manager in March of 2004. Galitz received his Bachelors of Business Administration Degree from the University of North Texas; a Law Degree from Baylor University, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University's School of Business. Register Now!

Steve Goore, Vice President, Western Region Affiliate Sales & Marketing , A&E Networks
Goore's greatest focus is overseeing distribution for AETN's 10 linear (7 digital and 3 HD) networks across all distributors and platforms in the West. During his more than 18 years at AETN, Goore has been instrumental in the launches of such brands as The History Channel and The Biography Channel, and is currently negotiating carriage for A&E HD, THC HD and BIO HD. With experience in AETN's National Ad Sales team as well as managing AETN's Affiliate Marketing for several years, Goore now serves on AETN's Business Development senior team with a focus on IPTV, mobile and broadband video, and VOD deployments. Goore earned an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a BA in Communications Studies/Business Administration from UCLA. Register Now!

Mark Kirstein, President & Co-Founder, Multimedia Intelligence
Kirstein has 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with numerous technology, operator & media firms in consulting and advisory roles, contributing to their decision-making process and their success. His direct experience includes market intelligence, product development and management, marketing strategy and tactics, and competitive analysis. Prior to founding Multimedia Intelligence, Kirstein founded & developed the multimedia research coverage for market research firm, iSuppli. Previously, he was Vice President and General Manager of In-Stat, managing business strategy, sales, and operations, globally. In prior roles, Kirstein was Director and Principal Analyst for Multimedia research. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic University.  Register Now!

Mark Langford, VP Marketing & Business Development , Technicolor Electronic Distribution Services
Langford is responsible for digital content distribution strategy, platform specifications and developing relations with major content and service providers for Technicolor. He has extensive and diverse electronic content delivery experience and has worked in the Telco, MSO and Broadcast markets for both vendor and service providers alike. Previously, Langford was Head of Product Development for the innovative MovieBeam Video on Demand network. He developed the VoD, HDTV and switched digital video service strategies for UPC Cablecom in Switzerland. Before that, he led the Broadband Entertainment division at Swisscom (the incumbent Swiss Telco) for three years. While at Swisscom, Langford was a key figure in the development and deployment of the IPTV roll-out, designing & launching the pilot TVoDSL offer, negotiating all of Swisscom's worldwide content and OEM contracts and leading the effort to deploy Microsoft's IPTV middleware. Previously, he was a Principal at an international systems integration firm (AMS, now CGI) and spent two years on Wall Street (Salomon Bros). Langford earned an MBA with concentration in IT and Marketing from the Harvard Business School in 1991. Register Now!

Denis Lévesque, Product Manager, Espial
Based in Ottawa, ON, Lévesque has a long history in the IPTV industry working with such companies as Newbridge, Alcatel, Thirdspace, Videologic and TutSystems. Lévesque's experience in the IPTV market spans across roles as an integration lab manager, a systems engineer manager, a system engineer and a Product Manager. He holds his Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a Specialization in Management and Information Systems from the University of Ottawa. Register Now!

Deborah McAdams, Senior Editor, FierceIPTV
McAdams is a trade journalist based in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. For the last decade, she has covered the digital television transition—the largest nonmilitary industrial mandate in the nation's history—from its effect on the economy in a small community to its ongoing legislative evolution and the resulting impact on people’s lives. She has been interviewed on CNN and C-Span, and she enjoys the distinction of being quoted by Harry Shearer on his radio show. Her published work ranges from award-winning personal essays and features to coverage of national legislation and emerging technology. She is the author of “The Grain Way,” a history of Nebraska grain elevators and their owners. Register Now!

Timothy McCallion, President, West Region, Verizon
McCallion was named West Region President for Verizon in July 2000. His responsibilities include regulatory affairs, government affairs, economic development and community relations. During his 31 year career with Verizon, McCallion has held a variety of management positions in California, Hawaii, Indiana, Connecticut, Ohio and Pennsylvania. McCallion is actively involved with community-based and business organizations. He currently serves on the following board of directors: the Ventura County Community Foundation, the Los Angeles Urban League, the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, Central City Association, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the California Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the board of governors of the Children's Museum of Los Angeles. In addition he is a corporate advisor to the Cesar Chavez Foundation. In 2006 he was appointed by California Governor Schwarzenegger to serve on a Broadband Task Force. McCallion served as Chairman of the California Telephone Association from 1999-2001. In September 2001 he was inducted into the California Telephone Pioneers Association Hall of Fame. He has a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business management from Gannon University. Register Now!

Robin Mersh, COO, DSL Forum
Robin Mersh, DSL Forum Chief Operating Officer, ex-officio member DSL Forum Board of Directors
Mersh joined the Forum as Chief Operating Officer in July 2006 and is the senior full time executive. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 14 years, starting in sales and sales management for Cable & Wireless and then moving onto BT before meeting his wife and moving to the US in 1999. Mersh has worked in business development and alliance management for various OSS software companies in the US. Mostly in network and service provisioning and activation for companies like Astracon, TTI Telecom and Evolving Systems, where he negotiated and managed several large OEM agreements. He is originally from Cambridge in the UK and received a B.A. degree (with Honours) from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London in 1992. He now lives in North Carolina. Register Now!

Michael Morris, Director, Video Franchise and Broadband Deployment Group, California Public Utility Commission
Morris currently heads the California Public Utility Commission's new Video Franchise and Broadband Deployment Group. This group was formed following passage in 2006 by the California Legislature of the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA). DIVCA instituted a new cable television franchising scheme, shifting franchising responsibility from cities and counties to the CPUC. Morris is an attorney, whose prior experience includes the FCC Chairman's office, the California Cable Television Association (Vice President, Federal Affairs), and Continental Cablevision. In addition to his 10 years of cable television experience, Mr. Morris has also spent more than a dozen years in competitive local telecommunications, starting with Teleport Communications Group, where as Regional Vice President he helped fashion the rules for local phone competition and negotiated the first Interconnection Agreement in California under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Morris is a graduate of the Communications Law Program at the UCLA School of Law, and Claremont Men's College. Register Now!

Glenn Nelson, Industry Solutions Executive, Global Communications, Media & Entertainment Industry, EDS
Nelson is responsible for the solution strategy and development of next-generation service offerings. He leads the development and launch efforts of IPTV and IMS converged services. Nelson's focus also includes the Media and Entertainment segment, where EDS has an opportunity to help clients transition vast libraries of content to an IP-enabled content solution. Nelson has more than 25 years of experience in the communications industry, via positions with Alcatel North America and the AT&T Project Lightspeed video service offering U-Verse. Nelson holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a US patent holder (Alcatel) for "Lightwave Transmission Telecommunications System Employing a Stacked Matrix Architecture." Register Now!

Ken Pyle, Managing Editor, The Viodi View
Pyle is co-founder of Viodi, LLC and is Managing Editor of the Viodi View, an online newsletter with a focus on independent telcos and their efforts to offer video services. He produced the Video Solutions for Independence interactive CD-ROM, edited and produced interactive CD-ROMs for organizations such as NTCA and is the co-producer of the IP Video Conference series in conjunction with USTA and is producer of Viodi’s Local Content Workshop. Additionally, he has been intimately involved with all of Viodi’s clients. He created Digital Rights Management Reports that were approved by studios for several clients. Register Now!

Jeff Richards, VP, Digital Content Services, VeriSign
At Verisign, Richards is responsible for Digital Content Management Services, providing broadband and mobile technology services for content distribution, messaging and advertising to many of the world's largest Media, Entertainment, Technology, Consumer Goods and enterprise organizations including NewsCorp, BBC, TimeWarner, NBC, Google, Coca Cola, General Motors and others. Richards is also one of the executives leading VeriSign's corporate blog program. To visit his blog, go to: http://blogs.verisign.com/demandinsights. Prior to VeriSign, Richards was President and CEO of R4 Global, a leading player in the RFID technology space acquired by VeriSign in May 2005. Prior to R4, he was a co-founder and executive at QuantumShift, an enterprise software and services provider in the telecommunications space. Prior to QuantumShift, Richards was a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (now part of IBM). Register Now!

Thomas Rucktenwald, Director, Data Applications Sales, NDS
Rucktenwald is the Director of Data Applications Sales at NDS Americas, located in Costa Mesa, California. NDS is one of the premier providers of conditional access, middleware, interactivity, and electronic program guides for satellite, cable, and IPTV. Rucktenwald's past management positions within broadcast and entertainment technology companies include CBS and the CBS Labs, Sony Music, Quantel, and Broadcast Technology Partners. Mix, Pro Sound, Broadcast, and Billboard magazines, the Wall Street Journal, Radio World, Radio Magazine, High Fidelity Radio, MediaWeek, Consumer Electronics Daily, and Television Technology have quoted him. Rucktenwald has a BSEE from Valparaiso University and an MSEE from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He holds two patents. Register Now!

Andrew Sachs, Director of IPTV Strategy, IPTV Service Assurance, CommTest/T&M, JDSU
Sachs is the director of IPTV strategy for JDSU's IPTV Service Assurance, CommTest/T&M. Sachs holds responsibility for setting the strategic focus, and driving the business direction for the company's portfolio of application-aware end-to-end triple play test and service assurance solutions for the delivery of advanced voice, video and data services. He also leads JDSU's consultative partnerships with several early IPTV providers and works with them to ensure the quality and effectiveness of their IPTV rollouts. For this, he is recognized in the industry as a prominent speaker on IPTV service assurance. In his sixteen-year career with JDSU, Sachs has held various positions within the company. Sachs was previously a Director of Business Development for the Workflow Solutions Division and has also held the role of Director of Engineering. Sachs holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Register Now!

Steve Shannon, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Product Development, Gemstar-TV Guide
Shannon's experience features a unique blend of technology, leadership and innovation in video entertainment. He is a computer industry veteran who was the creative force behind multiple successful technology products and consumer brands. Most recently, under his leadership, the Product Development and Technology group developed and launched My TV Guide, a new suite of cross-platform personalized guidance tools and services designed to help consumers address the complexity in the video entertainment landscape brought about by rapidly expanding choices and new forms of content. Prior to joining Gemstar-TV Guide, Shannon founded Akimbo Systems and co-founded ReplayTV. Shannon was also director of Internet authoring at Macromedia, where he launched Dreamweaver. He has worked at Coopers & Lybrand, Paramount Pictures, MGM/UA, and Capitol Records. He holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. Register Now!

Scott Stelzer, Vice President, Content Distribution and Marketing, MTV Networks and BET Networks
Stelzer is responsible for sales, marketing and contract negotiations for multiple distribution outlets. He also oversees domestic distribution and marketing of 29 networks including Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central, among others. Stelzer joined the MTVN in 2000 as Director, Affiliate Services, before ascending the ranks through Regional Office and National Accounts management. Prior to joining MTVN, he worked for Universal Music Group, where he led the custom premium compilation business and brokered deals with clients including McDonalds, Target and General Motors. Stelzer holds a B.S. in Business/Finance from California State University Northridge. Register Now!

Doug Sylvester, Chief Operating Officer, TVN Entertainment
As Chief Operating Officer for TVN Entertainment, Sylvester is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the company and ensuring that TVN remains at the forefront of the Video On Demand (VOD) industry. He has been exclusively involved in the successful launch of eight VOD networks for TVN including The Karaoke Channel which is currently available in over 25 million homes. Sylvester strategically places TVN at the helm of content creation and distribution for cable operators, small content companies and Hollywood studios. Register Now!

Hercu Wentzel, Vice President Channel Management, MediaZone
Wentzel is responsible for international content acquisition, business development and bringing new services to market for MediaZone. He has extensive experience in launching and managing Internet TV subscription content services. Before joining MediaZone, Wentzel held a range of management and leadership positions for cable, pay television and new media companies. During his 15-year international career he was responsible for content, distribution, affiliate, marketing and operations management. Register Now!

Evan Young, Director of Broadband Services, TiVo Inc.
Evan Young is Director of Broadband Services at TiVo Inc., where he is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of broadband applications, content, and services. He has extensive experience in broadcast, broadband, and consumer services, and has edited books on digital video recording and digital home audio recording and production. Evan has an MBA from Stanford University and a BA from Harvard University. While at Stanford, Evan was the founder of "The Future of Entertainment", an annual business and technology conference about media convergence. Register Now!