All: If you plan on attending, please e-mail us at AttendMeeting@TucsonSPIN.org so that we can plan the food, beverages and facilities.

Date: Thursday evening, March 6th, 2003

Location: Misys Hospital Systems, 4801 E. Broadway (One block east of Swan on north side of Broadway)

Guest Speakers: Tony Vera from Rational Software Corporation and Michael Madore from Paedent Informatics.

Topics: Software Risk Management; Tony Vera, of the Rational Software Corporation, and Systemic Thinking; Michael Madore, of Paedent Informatics

Agenda:

5:45 to 6:15 PM: Refreshments and networking

6:15 to 6:30 PM: Business and announcements

6:30 to 8:00 PM: Enjoying the food, networking and evening speakers

Mr. Tony Vera is a Software Engineering Specialist at Rational Software Corporation, where he has worked since 1995. At Rational, he serves as a technical representative, helping customers throughout Arizona with Rational's software engineering tools and technologies. He has consulted with a wide range of customers, performing a variety of services, including: product training, software technology training, architectural consulting, project management, product implementation, and technology mentoring.

Mr. Vera entered the software engineering industry while earning his Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1983. Before joining Rational, his software engineering experience included work in the robotics, military, and aerospace industries. While working in these industries he performed a range of activities including: programming, technology development, process improvement, software architecture, software tool development and selection, program management, as well as hands-on experience with all phases of the software development lifecycle.

Mr. Vera's technology specialties include, software architecture, software process, and visual modeling.

Mr. Michael Madore, MCSE, MCSD,MCT, is President of Paedent Informatics Ltd. in Ottawa, Ontario and e-teknix.com LLC in Tucson, Arizona. His current customer list includes Nortel, General Dynamics of Canada, L3 Communications, Rainbird, LTD Direct Marketing, Raytheon Missile Systems, and the Canadian Government. Self-employed for most of his career, Michael formed his consulting company in 1989, where he designed and developed financial accounting, budget management and data collection systems utilizing some of the earliest client-server database management software and deployed it to thousands of users. By 1995 Michael was one of only 17 Microsoft Certified Professionals in the world to have obtained both an MCSD and MCSE. His cross training made him a highly sought after consultant and trainer for real time applications and test software designs. In addition to delivering training in Microsoft products such as Visual Basic and .NET, Michael is nationally recognized as a leading trainer for advanced courses in C, C++, Windows 32 API, Visual Source Safe, Rational Rose and many others. Michael provides a gamut of services including: specifications, modeling, consulting, mentoring , training and just in time online workshops.

Effective acquisition planning and aggressive risk management by both government and industry are essential for success. Program decisions and resource commitments must be based on consideration of executable options and plans for, and progress in, controlling risk.

The Catch-22 in today's context is that, while risk management is more necessary than ever, finding time and resources to install a sound program creates a need to prove real and lasting value. As many who have tried to install risk management in their programs know, expanded awareness of its importance, and guidance on desired results, do not necessarily translate into effective, interactive processes that provide desired results.

Additional Information: For more information on the Tucson SPIN please visit our web site at http://www.TucsonSPIN.org . To suggest ways we can improve contact us via e-mail at info@TucsonSPIN.org . The Tucson SPIN meets the first Thursday of each month.

Please forward this Email invitation to friends or coworkers who may be interested. People wanting to be added to the distribution list for future meeting announcements and/or people with possible topics for future Tucson SPIN meetings may send an email to: AttendMeeting@TucsonSPIN.org .

We welcome and value your attendance and participation. There are no member dues. Food is available at the meeting for a nominal donation.

Pedro Ahlmark

Tucson SPIN Secretary