High-tech companies are sprouting up throughout the region, helping to revitalize our local economy. Rising Stars, a quarterly event, showcases the entrepreneurs who are building some of Rochester’s most successful technology companies. It offers an opportunity to hear their personal stories and meet the individuals behind Rochester’s “rising stars.”

An entrepreneurial leader often sits in a lonely position, struggling with difficult decisions and exhausted by the list of tasks that require personal attention. Imagine instead a strong trio of partners that share the burdens and triple the energy! That’s a pattern that’s worked well for two local companies, D.O.Tech and The Rochester Group.

We’ll hear from 2/3 of each team as Bob Miller, President of The Rochester Group, and Claude Marini, VP of Operations and partner in the business, share their experiences in working with Peter Tieslink, VP of Finance, to lead this highly regarded local software firm from the early 90’s until today.

At D.O.Tech, the title is co-CEO. It’s a partnership that works! We’ll meet Jeff Rice and Irv Salisbury, the two out of three leaders who are Rochester-based. Not only have these guys grown and sustained a business for a decade, they’ve co-authored a book on Java published by a little company called McGraw-Hill. Bob Sullivan, the third party in this triumvirate, shares their combination of technical acumen and business smarts!

As always, the Rising Stars series gives us an ‘up close and personal’ look at what it takes to found and grow a successful business in the Rochester region. It’s great to have the support of partners, but how do they negotiate during the times that they disagree? Employees like to follow a leader. What happens when that’s three leaders? How do they make it work? Join us for an invigorating Rising Stars session as we explore how 1+1+1 can equal solid success!

[Register below]

SPEAKERS:

• Bob Miller, President, and Claude Marini, VP of Operations
  The Rochester Group
• Jeff Rice, Co-CEO, and Irv Salisbury, Co-CEO
  D.O.Tech

AGENDA:

7:30-8:00 am	Refreshments and Networking
8:00-9:00 am	Presentations
9:00-9:30 am	Q&A and Meet the Speakers

SPONSORS:

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Irv Salisbury

Irv Salisbury is Co-CEO of D.O.Tech, a Rochester based boutique consulting firm specializing in enterprise architects, technical project managers and development leads. Irv has over 15 years of experience and has become a recognized expert in many facets of Java, Ajax, and Web Services. His quality of work has made him an extremely desirable asset to D.O.Tech's clients. In addition to being co-author of a McGraw-Hill book, Irv has also authored a variety of training classes on Java and XML technologies. He has contributed to several open source projects, and spends a significant amount of time staying on top of the latest emerging technologies. He is sought after as an architect, developer, and instructor.

Jeff Rice

D.O.Tech Co-CEO, Jeff Rice has over 20 years of experience with cutting edge software technologies. He has taught classes on Java, software development, and UNIX worldwide and has presented at Java conferences in the US and Australia. Jeff has co-authored two books on Java for McGraw-Hill and was the series editor for their Java Masters Series. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Science from Penn State University and a Masters of Science in Mathematics from Syracuse University.

Bob Miller

Bob Miller's model for success is one of participation and cooperation. President of The Rochester Group since 1993, he has collaborated with the senior management team to grow the company from eight to fifty-three employees and increase annual revenues from $750,000 to an estimated $6.9 million in 2006. With a reputation for setting aggressive goals, Bob recently created Somerton Business Solutions, a TRG spin-off which is developing a suite of business intelligence solutions for sales executives.

Bob is known for his unconventional creativity, leadership, and depth of expertise on strategic issues such as forming partnerships and charting growth opportunities. A firm believer in encouraging the right culture and working environment in a business, Bob works closely with the senior management team to ensure that the culture at TRG is "family-like, fun and caring... Everyone has individual talent and creativity, and our job is to create an atmosphere that brings that out." In providing value to clients, Bob's philosophy is to start with TRG's employees. "Our company is only as good as our people—they're the most important part of what we have to offer."

Like the rest of TRG's senior leadership, Bob brings a unique combination of business intelligence and technical expertise to the company's consulting services. After earning his bachelor's of science degree with honors from Penn State, Bob moved to Rochester in 1980 to join I.P. Sharp & Associates as a business applications consultant, product development designer, and programmer. In 1984, he went to Computer Consoles Inc. as a software engineer. His projects there included developing system software for a CCI minicomputer and a database system for an MCI WorldCom Inc. switching system. He was also employed as a business applications consultant at LPA Software Inc.

Bob is on the Board of Directors for both the Rochester Business Alliance and Publick Musick, as well as on the Board of Managers of the Memorial Art Gallery. He has also served as board member and president of the Society for Information Management. With his wife Alana, he runs Blue Muze, an independent record label.

Claude Marini

An entrepreneur by nature, Claude Marini became one of three founders of Aztech Systems, Inc. after he graduated in 1983 from the University of Rochester William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration with an MBA in Computer and Information Systems and Economics. In 1991, he went on to become one of the principal owners of The Rochester Group, where this melding of technical expertise and business acumen has formed the basis for the company's competitive advantage. "We translate our client's business issues into systems solutions," says Claude. "One of our greatest strengths is our ability to sit in a meeting with senior management and explain what we're doing or proposing— and why—in a language and context they understand."

Since joining TRG, Claude has evolved his role from frontline programming to project management, to long-term strategy and operations. Previously responsible for internal functions such as administration, payroll, billing, legal, and accounting, Claude now oversees a top-notch staff and works with the senior management team to direct the company's growth.

In pursuit of continued growth and profitability for the company, Claude never loses sight of the other half of TRG's mission: to accomplish this in a corporate culture based on integrity, accountability, and self-worth. "One of my goals at TRG is to maintain the quality of life we have here, in an atmosphere that's comfortable and productive. Productive not just in the sense of getting things done, but in creating something of value. Knowing I've been part of putting that in place is one of the greatest rewards of working here for me."

Claude was also a member of the CEO Roundtable through the Rochester Business Alliance for over five years, and received the "Golden Handcuff Award" from the Muscular Dystrophy Association for his participation in their fundraising efforts.