Tech Fest

Allen Perk

linkedin.com/allenperk

Allen Perk was raised in a political environment where his father rose the ranks to become a 3-term Mayor of Cleveland, OH in the 1970’s.  While attending Miami University (OH), Allen had an internship with IBM as a software engineer and obtained a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Systems Analysis.

Allen’s career started in 1979 with the accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst.  From there he became a “go to” I.T. analyst for the State of Ohio and then for Digital Equipment Corporation where he earned several prominent awards including DEC’s Software Excellence Award.  In 1991 Allen started XLN SYSTEMS, an I.T. and Cyber Security company.  After 33 years, Allen handed the controls of XLN to his son Anthony who continues to have clients both large and small.  

Allen is a pro small business advocate.  He is a 21-year member of NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) where he sits on their State Board and is past Chair of NFIB’s Central Ohio Area Action Council.  Allen also serves on Lt. Governor Jon Husted’s CyberOhio Advisory Board, is Chairman of the Board for Think Veterans First and is a founding board member of Franklin University’s Center for Public Safety and Cyber Security Awareness.

Allen has three married children and resides in Columbus, OH with his wife Regina of 41 years.

Jim Dertinger

linkedin.com/jim-dertinger

Jim Dertinger is VP, Enterprise Architecture for Cardinal Health. His passion is serving at the intersection of technology, human centered design, clinical, and operational sides of healthcare to deliver end-to-end solutions and data-driving insights to advance healthcare and improve lives every day. 

Ashley McGlone

linkedin.com/ashleymcglone/

Mr. Ashley McGlone graduated from Clay High School in 1989 and went on to work for companies like Toyota and Microsoft. Today he works for the cybersecurity company Tanium as a Technology Strategist and hosts the YouTube web show "Tanium Tech Talks". He has traveled all over the United States conducting Active Directory assessments and teaching PowerShell. He's even responded to a few cyber incidents. Ashley helps aspiring IT professionals build their personal brand to open career doors. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Jason Witherell

linkedin.com/jason-witherell

Jason has been a professor in the Digital Simulation and Gaming program at Shawnee State University since 2006.  He enjoys teaching people about game engines, introductory to advanced programming techniques, artificial intelligence, computer hardware, and project management.  His graduate work was a mixture of computer vision, simulation programming, and fine arts.  He is an avid gamer, including board games, tabletop games, and of course video games.

Ed Daniels

linkedin.com/ed-daniels

Jerrica Whitaker

linkedin.com/jerricawhitaker/

Paul Yost

linkedin.com/in/paul-yost

Brooke Denney

linkedin.com/brooke-denney/