Staff
Prior to his current position as executive director of Advance IT Minnesota, Bruce served in various leadership roles at Inver Hills Community College from 1995 through 2006 as dean of business, dean of student services and executive director of business partnerships. He also spent eight years in higher education with the Graduate School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, and served in management positions with the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Public Schools. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in business administration. Recent volunteer work includes serving on the board of directors for Minnesota Computers for Schools and the Upper Midwest Security Alliance.
As associate executive director, marketing & operations, Sharon directs the production of print and online communications, marketing materials and web content. She is the founder of the Twin Cities IT Alumni Association and author of 101 Ways to Dead-end Your IT Career. Sharon manages Advance IT Minnesota operations. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Hamline University. Her diverse career background includes self-employed artist & publisher, stints as web content manager, communications director, and Web evangelist for a variety of Twin Cities corporations as well as development editor for a local publishing house. In addition to having written 11 other books, she has 3 pieces of artwork in the Smithsonian Institution.
Mary joined Advance IT Minnesota in March 2009, as IT industry relations director working with its partners to identify and fill skill and knowledge gaps that are not addressed by the vendor community.
Mary has spent the majority of her career in the field of technical training and learning and development. She has worked for both large and small organizations in both the public and private sectors for both traditional and consulting companies addressing both technical and social skill needs.
Mary is a regular speaker at various professional associations and conferences. Mary is also a certified Myers Briggs practitioner. In addition Mary has published articles on consulting in several Microsoft partner publications and on style differences within teams and in the classroom.
Firasat, as the Director of Security Programs and Special IT Projects, leads Advance IT Minnesota's efforts in conducting risk and security assessments, and in managing various projects. Firasat has a bachelor's in civil engineering, master's in management of information systems (MIS), and is pursuing a doctorate in business administration. He holds multiple industry certifications in information technology, security and forensics. He has substantial experience with curriculum development in MIS and IT programs, and is familiar with the design and management of online learning in higher education institutions. He serves as an adjunct faculty member for Metropolitan State University's MIS program and Minneapolis Community and Technical College's IT program, leading courses in MIS and security.
Ama, office manager, received certification in three Microsoft 2007 applications Access, Excel, and Word in summer, 2009. Ama manages logistics for Advance IT Minnesota events, offers support for the Mn IT Workforce Collaborative, and keeps the office running smoothly.
Shirley is the newest addition to Advance IT Minnesota, coming on board in January 2011 as IT project specialist working with the IT Workforce Collaborative and Lumens Campus Adoption Program.
Shirley has spent a number of years working in information technology disciplines supporting private industry and public sector initiatives as administrator of financial accounts, project, databases, and grants. Shirley spent considerable time working with Center for Social Development staff on quality control of data for the national Individual Development Account program, Family Assets in Minnesota.
Shirley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and continues pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems.
Advance IT Minnesota is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and managed by Metropolitan State University, equal opportunity employers and educators. Copyright © 2012, all rights reserved.
