Explore Rochester I.T. : Fall Symposium 2006 Recap

The third annual Explore Rochester IT Fall Symposium was sponsored by the following corporations and academic institutions: Kodak, University of Rochester and the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester Institute of Technology, Computer Aid, Inc., Bausch and Lomb, Wegmans, Energy East, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Frontier/Citizens, and Paychex. It was attended by approximately 170 Information Technology undergraduate and graduate students from St. John Fisher, the University of Rochester, Empire State College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Geneseo, Alfred State, Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport.

Rochester is a place for opportunities. The opening speaker at this year's Explore Rochester IT Symposium, Blue Tie, Inc. president, David Koretz, made it clear that the technology options in this city are "first class."

Koretz, a local success story, a technology whiz and business entrepreneur whose first businesses made him a millionaire before the age of 25, asked the crowd of IT students pointedly, "How many of you plan on staying in Rochester after you graduate? How many of you are on the fence?" Some hands rose in the audience. Yet, after his speech recounting the benefits of Rochester and its surrounding areas, many of the 170-plus students might give this area more thoughtful consideration.

"There's first class technology in Rochester," Koretz said, "and there are a lot of smart people here too." Koretz acknowledged the Symposium panel featuring Chief Information Officers from some of Rochester's largest organizations and universities - Kodak, Paychex, Bausch & Lomb, Wegmans, Excellus Blue CrossBlue Shield, Frontier/Citizens, Energy East, Rochester Institute of Technology and CAI.

Students met IT employees from each of the sponsoring corporations, such as Energy East at the Symposium. Photo by Peter Bilous.

Each of the CIOs discussed work being done within their respective organizations and gave the students information about how to balance technology experience with business and communications skills. Kim VanGelder, CIO from Kodak, shared a historical perspective of her organization where the IT group was once small, and staff worked individually in cubicles. Kodak now boasts connections and commerce across the globe. "Technology skills remains a constant," she said, adding that collaboration and communication skills are equally critical.

The panel of Chief Information Officers from local corporations and universities addressed the more than 150 IT students who attended the Symposium. Photo by Peter Bilous

Evon Jones, CIO from Bausch & Lomb reiterated the need for IT people "to take on multiple roles" beyond traditional IT responsibilities. He stated that his technology staff is involved in customer service functions, research areas as well as on customer strategy teams.

Aligning IT with business was the constant among all the CIO discussions. Patrick Neville, CIO with Energy East shared information about the organization's new initiatives regarding sustainability and improvements to energy usage for customers. More online, real-time energy meter readings are in the works, he said, and will allow for more accurate costs, usage and emergency management.

James Fisher, Assistant Vice President of Finance & Administration at RIT shares a laugh with Wegmans CIO, Don Reeve during the panel discussion. Photo by Peter Bilous

For the growing Wegmans corporation, sustaining, connecting and managing 72 stores in five states, means making the best use of technology applications. "Infrastructure and foundational processes are important to us," said Don Reeve, Wegmans CIO, adding that there is a great deal of technology usage in the retail environment. He praised the Wegmans technology staff, some present at the Symposium, as "the best and the brightest" adding that many began working for the company in the various local stores while in school.

Dan Canzano, CIO of Paychex, introduced David Koretz who has a special connection to Paychex. Canzano began by mentioning that Koretz began his career at Brighton High School, selling candy at age 14. His efforts brought in nearly $200-a-day. By 26, Koretz had four successful companies, leading Blue Tie, Inc. since 1999.

But it was Koretz's story about his relationship with one of the top entrepreneurs in Rochester, Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex that had the audience's attention.

David Koretz, president and founder, Blue Tie, Inc. Photo by Peter Bilous

In high school, business students had an opportunity to shadow a local professional. Koretz decided that Golisano would be his choice. Although discouraged by his faculty, Koretz called Paychex "42 days in a row," he said, until he was given his chance to meet and spend time working for Golisano. It was only after several years, several businesses and accolades from Forbes that Koretz learned some of the behind-the-scenes stories related to his daring initiative to meet the Paychex president. In an article about Koretz and Blue Tie, Inc., Koretz found out that Golisano had his assistant "find one of the worst days on his calendar," he said laughing. The irony was that the numerous meetings were just what Koretz found of interest: he saw a corporate leader working with all aspects of his growing and successful organization, from customer care to technology support. He shared with the students that technology is important, but the business aspects are as well.

"You have a good chance to be the best," Koretz said about IT and business opportunities in this area AND with any of the corporations represented at the Symposium. "Can one of these people be your Tom Golisano?" he asked - and challenged the students.



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	2007 Symposium Recap 2006 Symposium Recap 2005 Symposium Recap	Home : Fall Symposium : 2006 Symposium Recap Explore Rochester IT Fall Symposium 2007 Date: Friday, October 26, 2007 Location: Rochester Institute of Technology Field House The third annual Explore Rochester IT Fall Symposium was sponsored by the following corporations and academic institutions: Kodak, University of Rochester and the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester Institute of Technology, Computer Aid, Inc., Bausch and Lomb, Wegmans, Energy East, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Frontier/Citizens, and Paychex. It was attended by approximately 170 Information Technology undergraduate and graduate students from St. John Fisher, the University of Rochester, Empire State College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Geneseo, Alfred State, Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport. Symposium 2007 Recap Rochester is a place for opportunities. The opening speaker at this year's Explore Rochester IT Symposium, Blue Tie, Inc. president, David Koretz, made it clear that the technology options in this city are "first class." Koretz, a local success story, a technology whiz and business entrepreneur whose first businesses made him a millionaire before the age of 25, asked the crowd of IT students pointedly, "How many of you plan on staying in Rochester after you graduate? How many of you are on the fence?" Some hands rose in the audience. Yet, after his speech recounting the benefits of Rochester and its surrounding areas, many of the 170-plus students might give this area more thoughtful consideration. "There's first class technology in Rochester," Koretz said, "and there are a lot of smart people here too." Koretz acknowledged the Symposium panel featuring Chief Information Officers from some of Rochester's largest organizations and universities - Kodak, Paychex, Bausch & Lomb, Wegmans, Excellus Blue CrossBlue Shield, Frontier/Citizens, Energy East, Rochester Institute of Technology and CAI. Students met IT employees from each of the sponsoring corporations, such as Energy East at the Symposium. Photo by Peter Bilous. Each of the CIOs discussed work being done within their respective organizations and gave the students information about how to balance technology experience with business and communications skills. Kim VanGelder, CIO from Kodak, shared a historical perspective of her organization where the IT group was once small, and staff worked individually in cubicles. Kodak now boasts connections and commerce across the globe. "Technology skills remains a constant," she said, adding that collaboration and communication skills are equally critical. The panel of Chief Information Officers from local corporations and universities addressed the more than 150 IT students who attended the Symposium. Photo by Peter Bilous Evon Jones, CIO from Bausch & Lomb reiterated the need for IT people "to take on multiple roles" beyond traditional IT responsibilities. He stated that his technology staff is involved in customer service functions, research areas as well as on customer strategy teams. Aligning IT with business was the constant among all the CIO discussions. Patrick Neville, CIO with Energy East shared information about the organization's new initiatives regarding sustainability and improvements to energy usage for customers. More online, real-time energy meter readings are in the works, he said, and will allow for more accurate costs, usage and emergency management. James Fisher, Assistant Vice President of Finance & Administration at RIT shares a laugh with Wegmans CIO, Don Reeve during the panel discussion. Photo by Peter Bilous For the growing Wegmans corporation, sustaining, connecting and managing 72 stores in five states, means making the best use of technology applications. "Infrastructure and foundational processes are important to us," said Don Reeve, Wegmans CIO, adding that there is a great deal of technology usage in the retail environment. He praised the Wegmans technology staff, some present at the Symposium, as "the best and the brightest" adding that many began working for the company in the various local stores while in school. Dan Canzano, CIO of Paychex, introduced David Koretz who has a special connection to Paychex. Canzano began by mentioning that Koretz began his career at Brighton High School, selling candy at age 14. His efforts brought in nearly $200-a-day. By 26, Koretz had four successful companies, leading Blue Tie, Inc. since 1999. But it was Koretz's story about his relationship with one of the top entrepreneurs in Rochester, Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex that had the audience's attention. David Koretz, president and founder, Blue Tie, Inc. Photo by Peter Bilous In high school, business students had an opportunity to shadow a local professional. Koretz decided that Golisano would be his choice. Although discouraged by his faculty, Koretz called Paychex "42 days in a row," he said, until he was given his chance to meet and spend time working for Golisano. It was only after several years, several businesses and accolades from Forbes that Koretz learned some of the behind-the-scenes stories related to his daring initiative to meet the Paychex president. In an article about Koretz and Blue Tie, Inc., Koretz found out that Golisano had his assistant "find one of the worst days on his calendar," he said laughing. The irony was that the numerous meetings were just what Koretz found of interest: he saw a corporate leader working with all aspects of his growing and successful organization, from customer care to technology support. He shared with the students that technology is important, but the business aspects are as well. "You have a good chance to be the best," Koretz said about IT and business opportunities in this area AND with any of the corporations represented at the Symposium. "Can one of these people be your Tom Golisano?" he asked - and challenged the students.
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