As Silicon Labs’ Chief Technology Officer, Alessandro Piovaccari is responsible for the company’s product and technology research and development. Alessandro joined Silicon Labs in 2003 to design the company’s single-chip FM radio products, which have surpassed 1.5 billion device shipments. He co-architected Silicon Labs’ single-chip TV tuner IC, used by nine of the world’s top ten TV makers, with more than 70 percent market share and 1 billion unit shipped. Previously, Alessandro worked as a research scientist at Tanner Research, joining the company in 1997 to develop CMOS neuro-inspired image processors. From 1998 to 2003, he was a member of the design services team at Cadence Design Systems, focusing on CMOS RFICs and high-speed SerDes IP development. Alessandro holds 38 patents and is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Full Member of AES. Alessandro received Laurea and PhD degrees in electronic engineering and computer science from the University of Bologna in Italy and a Post-Master's Certificate with Honors in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He also serves as a board member for the Skillpoint Alliance, as a member of the advisory council of UTeach Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, College of Natural Sciences, and steering committee for the IEEE CICC conference.

Tracy LaQuey Parker was born on a U.S. Air Force Base in Newfoundland, Canada, grew up in Chicago and Fort Worth and attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she received a bachelor of arts in Computer Science. She is currently Senior Vice President of Business Development for Parker Solutions Group. She is also active in the community and is a member of several boards, including the Texas Tribune, the Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities, the Austin Film Society, and the Advisory Councils for UTeach and the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas, where she serves on the executive committee.

Before her current position, Tracy was Director of the UTeach Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, which she founded in 2006 to replicate the nationally recognized UTeach math and science teacher preparation program that began at UT in 1997.

Prior to her successful tenure with the UTeach Institute, Tracy worked in the Chief Technology Office of Cisco System, where she founded Cisco’s Worldwide Education focus and Cisco’s Advanced Internet Initiatives team in the early 1990s. She also founded a research and development imprint of the Chief Technology Office, partnering with Addison-Wesley. Additionally, she managed Cisco’s participation in worldwide K–12 educational Internet programs, including the Global Schoolhouse Project, and she initiated and managed Cisco’s extensive participation in various Internet Society activities internationally. During this time, she participated in the Federation of American Research Networks (FARNET), serving as Treasurer, and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), serving as chair of several working groups.

In addition to conference papers and journal and magazine articles, Ms. LaQuey Parker is the author of two best-selling books, The User’s Directory of Computer Networks (Digital Press) and The Internet Companion: A Beginner’s Guide to Global Networking (Addison-Wesley). The Internet Companion was the first trade book on the Internet, published in 1992, and featured a foreword by Vice President Al Gore. At one time, it was number one on Publisher’s Weekly best-selling computer books nationally and was a best-seller worldwide, translated into Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, French, and Indonesian, in addition to being adapted for the European Community (The European Internet Companion). Also notably, The Internet Companion was a pioneer in online publishing, the first commercial book to be made available for free on the Internet in 1993 while simultaneously being sold in hardcopy in bookstores. During the intense growth of the Internet in the 1990s, Tracy frequently gave keynotes, seminars, and presentations in the U.S. and internationally. She was profiled in On the Internet (a publication of the Internet Society), The Australian (Australia's national newspaper), and Tecno 2000 (a Spanish technology publication) and was featured on the cover of the Japanese Asahi Pasocon technology magazine.

Dr. Nan McRaven is the owner of McRaven Consulting, a Public Relations and Government Affairs firm, located in Austin, Texas. Before starting her own firm, Nan held positions in the private, non-profit, and government sectors. Her work experience includes: Texas State Director of the Trust for Public Land; Senior Director, Freescale Semiconductor; Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Motorola Inc.; Vice President of Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce; and Personnel and Budget Director for Travis County.

McRaven holds a bachelor's degree in government from Sam Houston State University, a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a doctorate in Higher Education from The University of Texas at Austin.

She was elected to the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees in 2001, where she has served as Vice Chair and Chair and is currently in her third term.

Nan participates in numerous community, business, and education organizations including the Breast Cancer Resource Center, Texas Society of Architects, UTeach, Organization for International Investment, Community Colleges Association of Texas Trustees, the National Association of Community College Trustees, and numerous state Chambers of Commerce.

Clients: TE Connectivity, Jobs for the Future, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sallie Mae Corporation, Smart Horizons Career Online Education, The University of Texas at Austin, and National American University.

Sarah Matz is a senior advisor Caddo Associates and the director of advocacy for GovExperts, a council of former government executives, officeholders, and policy experts that provides regulated industry executives and other government stakeholders with deep, on-demand subject matter insight at the local, state, and federal levels of government.  Sarah leads engagement with a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, trade associations, and coalitions. With extensive multi-state experience and deep understanding of federal and state policy, Sarah helps people navigate the complex legislative, regulatory, and political processes around state governments.

Sarah has also served as a senior policy advisor for two Members of Congress, a liaison to Congress on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, and a legislative liaison and policy analyst for the state of Texas.  Most recently, she lent her deep policy understanding and advocacy skills to a global trade association representing the world’s largest tech companies before legislatures across the United States.

With experience in a range of policy areas, including STEM, teacher preparation, public-sector procurement, cybersecurity, and transportation, Sarah helps position clients as a trusted resource for policymakers around key issues and remains actively engaged in developing legislative and regulatory solutions that achieve meaningful results.

Sarah received her master’s degree from Gonzaga University in Communication and Organizational Leadership, and her bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M University.

As Executive Vice President of Campus Operations and Public Affairs at Austin Community College (ACC), Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm is a member of the President’s Cabinet and serves as a senior advisor on a broad scope of complex issues impacting the college and the community it serves. She oversees the Department of Community and Public Affairs, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, International Programs, and all campus safety and operations across the entire ACC service area, which includes more than a dozen campuses and centers. Dr. Malcolm represents the college and the President/CEO in the community, acting as a key point of contact to business leaders, government officials, international organizations, educational leaders, the public, and media. She also facilitates, in concert with the President, communication with the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Malcolm earned her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Administration with a concentration in Community College Leadership (CCLP) from The University of Texas at Austin. A Licensed Professional Counselor, she earned an undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Throughout her career, Dr. Malcolm has worked to improve public and higher education as a teacher, counselor, and coordinator of school counseling and drug-free schools programs. As owner of Malcolm Consulting, she assisted clients ranging from health providers to educational institutions with government relations, public policy, and community outreach. She has extensive political experience at the local, state, and national levels in elected and appointed positions and has coordinated various grassroots lobbying efforts at all levels of government.

An elected Texas community college trustee for six years, she was instrumental in founding the Community College Association of Texas Trustees and is a life member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

Dr. Malcolm currently serves as Co-Chair of The University of Texas at Austin Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life Advisory Council, on University Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, the Austin Downtown Alliance Board, the Texas Lyceum Advisory Council, and Engage Cuba Texas State Council. She has a long history of civic involvement and has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing her state and community commitment. Those awards include the Alumni Achievement Award from Texas A&M University-Texarkana, the National Women’s Political Caucus-Texas Chapter Good Gals Award, the Winnsboro High School Distinguished Alumni Award, the Texarkana NAACP Torchbearer Award for Extraordinary Community Contributions, the Texarkana Martin Luther King Jr. Acts of Kindness Leadership Award, Texarkana Community Journal Outstanding Woman Award, and Four States Living Magazine Tribute to Women Award. She is a Texas Exes Alumni Association Life Member and a past Director of Texas Lyceum.

Mary Long was one of the principals involved in the development of the UTeach program. She was a member of the Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel’s (OSEP’s) Committee on Attracting Science and Mathematics Ph.Ds. to Secondary School Teaching. Ms. Long taught science for 28 years in middle schools and high schools in several states. She has served as director of the Austin Independent School District Science Academy and as manager of the district’s Science and Health Resource Center. Ms. Long received a Master’s in Education in science education from The University of Texas at Austin.

• Texas Teacher of the Year, 1986
• Austin Teacher of the Year, 1985

Jeffrey Kodosky was born in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up on Long Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in 1970. In July of that year he married Gail Theilmann. The couple immediately moved to Austin so Kodosky could begin graduate school in theoretical physics at The University of Texas at Austin.

In 1976, Kodosky cofounded National Instruments, where he is currently an NI Business and Technology Fellow. He has received numerous patents as principal inventor of the technology in the award-winning software package, LabVIEW.

He is past Chair of the Advisory Council for the College of Natural Sciences as well as member of the Board of Trustees of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers professional societies.

Kodosky was elected to The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Hall of Honor in 1999. He received the Rensselaer Alumni Association Fellows Award that same year. He is a trustee on the board of the Austin Lyric Opera and past governor on the board of the Austin Community Foundation. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the performing arts and a lover of classical music. The Kodoskys have two daughters, Laura and Karen, and four grandchildren.

Gerard is co-founder and CMO of DroneSense, Inc., a software company that provides a drone platform tailored to the unique needs of first responders in public safety. He is also owner/operator of iMaerial, a fine art aerial photography studio with recent exhibits at Austin Bergstrom International Airport and Austin City Hall.

Gerard is a versatile team player with a firm understanding of design principles, branding, user interaction, and how to create captivating visual content to best achieve marketing goals. From commercial video production to UI/UX app design, his hands-on approach and strong interaction with stakeholders has been an asset to agencies, animation studios, and software companies alike. He’s garnered awards from ADDY and the CW Network and is continually recognized for both his professional and personal work.

Gerard graduated from The University of Texas with a B.A in Political Science, and proudly served as Strawboss (Vice President) of the Texas Cowboys honorary service organization. After graduating, he spent several years traveling and living abroad while developing his artistic style. He attended Vancouver Film School in 2000, obtaining a Digital Design certificate and soon after began a 15-year career in video production working in many of the top markets in the US.

Since his childhood watching shows like Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, he’s always been captivated by aerial photography and cinematography. In 2013, he became an early adopter of drones and began experimenting with aerial imaging. He quickly realized the transformative nature of drone technology and its potential to solve real-world problems. Together with his co-founder, they built DroneSense into a rapidly growing company with more than 15 employees.

Gerard enjoys the outdoors, dogs, fitness, travel, and racing. He is a dedicated fan and season ticket holder of Longhorn football and looks forward to another championship. Hook ‘Em!

Eric Harslem, through his family foundation, supports APS and a number of other education nonprofits. He is also CEO of APS. He was Senior VP of Product Development and CTO at Dell until 2001. Prior to Dell he was general manager of desktop products at Apple; managed Star workstation development at Xerox; and worked with the ARPA Network team while at the Rand Corporation. He holds a BS in Engineering from Caltech and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin. Currently a private investor, he is the co-founder and a Board member of Motion Computing.

Andy Greenawalt retired in 2000 after a 24-year career in information technology. Most recently he served for seven years as IT vice president and group CIO at the Dell Computer Corporation. From 1991 to 1993 he was vice president, processing services, at the Continuum Company (now CSC Financial Services). His career began with Air Products and Chemicals in 1976, where he served for 15 years in various IT and general management roles.

Greenawalt holds a Master of Science in industrial engineering from Lehigh University and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Millersville University, both with honors. He was born in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Austin with his wife Peggy. They have a son, Danny, and a daughter, Chrissy.