Guests:

Mark Lewis, President, Louisiana Technology Council

In October of 2002, Mark assumed the role of President of the Louisiana Technology Council (LTC) to assist with the technological development of individuals and member organizations and provide events, programs, support and other value added services to its members and the communities in which its serves. In November of 2005, Mark was selected by the Governor’s office as Technology Leader of the Year for the State of Louisiana for his contributions and leadership in the technology industry. Through his leadership over the past three years, the LTC has helped Louisiana become one of the top three states in the country in technology job and wage growth.

The LTC provides 70+ technology events and programs a year across all industries. His mission is to help make Louisiana – Technology Capital of the South©. Mark currently resides in Metairie and has three grown children.

Michael Olivier, Chairman, Louisiana Technology Council

Michael Olivier is the CEO of the Louisiana Committee of 100 for Economic Development, Inc. The Committee of 100 is a private sector non-profit business advocacy group intent on building coalitions and partnerships to bring business and economic development to Louisiana. The membership is comprised of the CEOs of leading private sector companies statewide as well as University Presidents in Louisiana. Olivier most recently served as Regional President for the Americas for Future Pipe Industries, Inc. where he was responsible for the management and growth of the Group’s operations in the Americas region from North to South America.

In 2006 and 2007, Olivier was named as "One of the Top 10 in the U.S. to make a difference in Economic Development” by Southern Business and Development magazine. His work lead Louisiana to be named "State of the Year” for the first time by Southern Business and Development magazine.

Michael Crane, VP Business Development, Guavas

Mike brings more than 20 years of experience in telecommunications, software sales, product management and global business development to Guavus. Before joining Guavus, he was vice president of sales and business development at Grid Net, a company in the smart-grid space selling to utilities and telecom providers. Mike also ran global business development and sales for Golden Gate Software (acquired by Oracle). Prior to this position, Mike held leadership positions in Keynote Systems, Nielsen Telecom, Vodafone, Aeris Communications and PriceWaterhouse Coopers. He holds an M.S. from University of California, Berkeley.