About
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
About TEDxSanAntonio We are a small group of organizers licensed by TED to hold San Antonio’s full-fledged TEDx event. Our goal: To open the minds, hearts and souls of the Alamo City to the most intriguing science, art, literary, technological, social justice and environmental ideas – inspiring participants from all parts of the city to initiate big changes and empowering them to continue the conversations beyond the walls of the event. Visit www.tedxsanantonio.com for more information.
About TED TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world’s leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Two major TED events are held each year: The TED Conference takes place every spring in Long Beach, California (along with a parallel conference, TEDActive, in Palm Springs), and TEDGlobal is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily; the new TED Conversations, enabling broad conversations among TED fans; and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. For information about TED’s upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration. Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter. com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED.
Notes:
Emcee
Victor Landa A native South Texan, Victor was born in San Antonio and raised on the border in both Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. In 1981, Victor landed a job working as a news photographer for a CBS affiliate in Laredo, Texas. He has been a journalist ever since. Victor’s career has spanned 29 years during which he’s worked as a photographer, editor, reporter, producer, assignments editor, columnist, teacher, consultant, anchor and news director. In the early 1980s, Victor crossed over into Spanish television with a job at KWEX-TV, in San Antonio. He went on to be the News Director at KVDA-TV, where the team pioneered an internet based community correspondent project, funded in part by the Pew foundation, where citizens reported live, from their homes, via the internet about issues concerning their neighborhood. He’s done extensive work in community organizing, voter registration and community development. A contributing columnist for the San Antonio-Express News, Victor has also written a Spanish-language column for Conexion, the San Antonio Express-News’s bi-cultural publication and has been at the ground floor of several internet start-ups. Currently, Victor is founder, editor and writer for News Taco, the online Latino news daily, and is the owner of Palabrero Communications, a word smithing and communications strategy company. Married for 28 years, Victor and his wife have two, college-aged children.
Organizers
Debbie Curtis
George Riley
In her career, Debbie has moved from her native northern California to Texas, and from retail management to community event management and activism. She works for Healthy Futures preventing teen and unplanned pregnancy, and as “kite string” manager and advisor for small businesses. She’s the Event Coordinator for TEDxSanAntonio. Fun fact: Debbie collects and wears vintage jewelry.
George learned to love the Alamo City as an Air Force brat. He graduated from UTSA with a BS in Math and Computer Science and is so old-school that he had to compile his first browser from source code on a Unix workstation to browse the Internet. He’s worked remotely from San Antonio as a software engineer for Macromedia, Adobe, and for the last 4 years, TED.com (yes, the “big” TED organization). 2011 is his second year as an organizer of TEDxSanAntonio. Fun facts: George loves downtown SA, and some of his favorite beer is brewed by SA’s own Ranger Creek Brewing.
It’s time for: compassion.
Todd O’Neill
It’s time for: free media. Todd founded the first dedicated coworking space in San Antonio, C4Workspace. Todd is Managing Director at DoingMedia and teaches web and media at the college level. In 2010 he was named “Best Video Artist in San Antonio.” He is the official licensee of TEDxSanAntonio. Fun fact: Todd used to teach rollerskating.
Susan Price
It’s time for: user rights. As CEO and chief web strategist at Firecat Studio, Susan helps businesses make authentic, deep connections through technology. She’s a published author and speaker on integrated web presence design and usability. She’s an organizer of TEDxSanAntonio. Fun fact: Susan was hit on the head by lightning while hiking the Grand Canyon.
It’s time for: good craft beer.
Donna J. Tuttle
It’s time for: dialog. Donna has spent the last 24 years working at something she’s been passionate about since the 6th grade — journalism. From Syracuse University (Journalism/English), to a small daily in Rhode Island, and now Projects Editor of the San Antonio Business Journal, Donna has written for and edited newspapers, magazines and journals across the country. Donna brings together diverse groups of people to share ideas and learn through the BMPR (Business, Media and PR) tribe, one of the country’s largest monthly social media mashups, and as an organizer of TEDxSanAntonio. Fun fact: Donna won a pie-eating contest on July 4, 2004, (Cherry, of course!).
Introduction
Conversation and Conservation. Expectation and Speculation. Inspiration and Indignation.
If it matters to you, well, then: It matters. As the Alamo City comes together for its second all-day TEDxSanAntonio in 2011, we want you — whether you’re a speaker or an audience member — to grab of hold of the ideas that break your heart, ignite your soul or feed your brain. And do something. Anything. Because action on ideas about science, public policy, technology, art and entrepreneurism lead to epic things. Like putting our city on the forefront of the solar power industry. Or creating the largest, most comprehensive homeless transformation campus in the United States. Or designing a first-class medical system for wounded warriors. Or launching the state’s first municipal bike share programs.
It’s time, San Antonio. Your time. Make it count.
Notes
TEDxSanAntonio will be livestreamed at: http://tedxsanantonio.com/webcast Please shut off all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices. Cell phone use is not permitted in the theater. Still and video cameras also are prohibited in the theater. Each session will feature four to five speakers. Each speaker will present for 18 minutes or less. Speakers are listed in alphabetical order — not in the order they will present. The goal of TEDxSanAntonio is to introduce the audience to new ideas — meaning you get the most out of the event by participating all day. Serendipity rocks! Talk to strangers. We curated the audience so the people on your left and right are probably people you’d like to meet.
Bloggers and Tweeters are welcome up in the Bloggers’ Balcony. Please mute all volume controls. Want to watch the speakers all over again or eager to share the talks with your friends? Videos will be available on the TEDx YouTube channel in November: http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDxTalks Want to make and share memories of TEDxSanAntonio? Stop by the TEDxSanAntonio DigiBooth, located outside the theater doors to your left. Sit down with a friend, enter your social media handles, say “Cheese!” and your photos instantly will be shared with the world. Thanks to Capii Media for this exciting new feature.
Schedule
7:00 - 9:00 am
11:00 - 12:30 pm
3:00 - 3:30 pm
Courtyard
Stieren Theater
Courtyard
9:00 - 10:30 am
12:30 - 1:30 pm
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Stieren Theater
Courtyard
Stieren Theater
10:30 - 11 am
1:30 - 3:00 pm
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Courtyard
Stieren Theater
Holt Center *
Register & Mingle
Session 1 Speakers
Break
Session 2 Speakers
Lunch Break
Session 3 Speakers
* The Holt Center is located on the edge of the Trinity University campus at 106 Oakmont Court, on the corner of Oakmont and Shook. Participants coming from the Stieren Theater should take a right after exiting the theater and walk toward Shook Avenue, following the signs.
Break
Session 4 Speakers
After Party
Eddie Aldrete Senior Vice President, IBC Bank Talk Title: “Why Icebergs Hold the Solution to our Broken Immigration System� As an International Bank of Commerce (IBC Bank) senior vice president, Eddie Aldrete monitors local, state and federal policies that directly impact the bank and the financial services industry. Eddie has more than 30 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations and political, governmental and public affairs, and he leads advocacy efforts corporate-wide. Eddie works as a proponent for economic growth and infrastructure development in the communities IBC serves. In August 2010, Campaigns & Elections Magazine named him one of the Top 100 most influential figures in Texas politics and government. Eddie is the 2011 chairman of the board of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and helped launch educational initiatives designed to keep students in school and to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). He serves on the United Ways of Texas board of directors, on the Immigration & Accreditation Committees of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and on the boards of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute,
Texas Employers for Immigration Reform and the Texas Border Coalition. He has been named Corporate Executive of the Year by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber in 2009 and has received a long list of other awards. Aldrete has been married to Cristina Lopez Aldrete since 1993, and they have three children, Cristian (13), Diego (11) and Andrea (7). You can interact with Eddie on Twitter @ EddieAinSA and Facebook: facebook. com/#!/profile.php?id=758251073 Email Eddie at ealdrete@ibc.com Fun Fact: In 1989, Eddie stood in the Rose Garden at the White House and, in front of the entire White House press corps, gave President George H. W. Bush the bird. As director of public affairs for the National Turkey Federation, it was his job to hand deliver the live Thanksgiving turkey to the president, who, in keeping with tradition, issued the bird an official pardon.
Notes
Steven M. Bachrach Dr. D. R. Semmes Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Trinity University Talk Title: “Remix in Science: Data Exchange Revolutionizes Scientific Publishing” Steven M. Bachrach is the Dr. D. R. Semmes Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Trinity University. His research is in the area of computational organic chemistry, on which subject he has published more than 100 articles, has authored a book and runs a blog devoted to discussing the latest research in this area. In addition, he has been a pioneer in the use of the Internet as a means of communicating chemistry. He was the editor-in-chief of the Internet Journal of Chemistry¸a progressive journal that enabled enhanced publishing, including some of the issues described in his TEDx talk.
At Trinity, Steven has been a driver of the new Center for Sciences and Innovation and major curricular changes within the chemistry department. He teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry and quantum chemistry. Find out more about Steven on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=666938886 or on his Trinity page: http://www.trinity.edu/ sbachrach Email Steven at steven.bachrach@satx.rr.com Fun Fact: Steven’s favorite vista is at the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers in Canyonlands National Park.
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Janie Barrera President & CEO, ACCION Texas Inc. Talk Title: “A Small Hand Up, a A Huge Impact: Why Micro is Macro” Janie Barrera is founding President and CEO of ACCION Texas Inc. (ATI) a multi-state, nonprofit micro and small business lender that supports entrepreneurs by helping them start, stabilize and grow their businesses. She has helped shape the field of microfinance in the U.S. over the past 17 years by growing ATI from a $150,000 organization to one that holds the largest microlender portfolio in the United States. Under Barrera’s leadership, the organization has diversified its products and services in response to the U.S. market’s needs. For instance, the organization created proprietary software that creates efficiency in microlending – ATI services multiple nonprofit
lenders in their underwriting. Also under her direction, ATI has partnered with Citi Bank to sell portions of its microloan portfolio. The practice places more dollars in the hands of small businesses. Additionally, the organization is designated to make SBA 504 and 7a loans. ATI now serves eight states. Find out more about ACCION on Twitter at twitter.com/ACCION_TXLA or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/acciontxla Email Janie at jbarrera@acciontexas.org Fun Fact: Janie shares a chicken coop with her neighbors; they share the eggs.
Notes
Brian Brushwood Magician and host of Scam School Talk Title: “Social Engineering: How to Scam Your Way into Anything” Brian Brushwood has spent the last 12 years touring nationally with his award-winning “bizarre magic” show. He’s lectured and performed at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, headlined three times at Universal Orlando, appeared twice on “The Tonight Show,” as well as made dozens of appearances on FOX, NBC, CNN, the Food Network and more.
Just last month, his book “Cheats, Cons, Swindles and Tricks: 57 ways to Scam a free drink” hit the top 100 of all Amazon kindle books, and the book has remained #1 in Magic since.
His popular podcast Scam School, “the only show dedicated to social engineering at the bar and on the street,” is now downloaded over 1 million times each month, and was named a “top video podcast” by iTunes in 2008 and 2009. His new comedy series NSFW was named a “top audio podcast” of 2010.
Email Brian at Brian@shwood.com
Find Brian on Twitter @shwood or Facebook facebook.com/shwood or visit his website shwood.com
Fun Fact: Soaking wet and wearing only a skirt, Brian Brushwood once talked a police officer out of arresting him for frolicking naked in a public fountain.
Notes
Edward A. “Ed” Cavazos Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP Talk Title: “The Collapsing Magic Circle: Laws, Rules and Social Contracts in Virtual Worlds” Ed is an Austin-based attorney and partner in the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, where he practices technology and intellectual property law. His clients include companies in the software, Internet, e-commerce and video game industries. For those companies, he advises on complex technology-heavy transactions and also litigates patent, trademark, copyright and general business disputes. In addition to his law practice, Ed is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law, where he currently teaches a course on “The Law of Software, Video Games and Interactive Entertainment.” Ed co-authored “Cyberspace and the Law: Your Rights and Duties in the On-line World”,
which was published by MIT Press and, as one of the first books to address Internet legal issues, received the Association of American Publishers’ Best New Professional and Scholarly Book — Computer Science Award in 1994. To find out more about Ed: http://about.me/ edcavazos.Interact with Ed on Twitter: twitter. com/edcavazos or Facebook: facebook.com/ cavazos Email Ed at ed.cavazos@bgllp.com Fun Fact: Ed was detained at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport and interrogated by Israeli security on suspicion of being a terrorist. Thankfully, it was all a big mistake.
Notes
José Angel Garcia Elizondo MBA Talk Title: “Slam Dunk: Investing in Sports for a Better Society” An increase in organized crime and poverty in Mexico has left many children without hope — the kind of inspiration that spurs young people to set goals for a productive and fulfilling life. A native of Tampico, México, businessman José Angel García Elizondo had tasted success as an entrepreneur and wanted to ignite that same kind of passion in today’s youth. Combining his love of sports and business, José approached other business colleagues about investing in and creating a local basketball team. Today, the Huracanes Tampico is a professional basketball team in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP), a league with more than 24 teams. Players are required to have a strong sense of social responsibility; the teams outreach efforts have touched the lives of more than 15,000 kids.
An executive with Grupo Garel, a fuel distribution and service station company, José earned a public accounting degree at Tecnológico de Monterrey, studied management at the Commerce Faculty at the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, and earned his MBA at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is active in both community and industry organizations, including the National Petroleum Organization (ONEXPO), National Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of the Transformation Industry and more. José is married and has one son. Find José on Twitter at twitter.com/ huracanestam or find more about the Huracanes Tampico at huracanestampico. com. You can email Jose at joseangelgarel@ yahoo.com Fun Fact: José is known for his quick decisions: He proposed marriage to Zaira after less than 3 months of meeting her.
Notes
Gordon Hartman Founder, Morgan’s Wonderland Talk Title: “You Only Are Disabled In an Environment That Makes You That Way” Gordon Hartman is a philanthropist and former businessman who was born and raised in San Antonio. By the age of 23, he had started a land development company.
designed with special-needs kids and adults in mind. More than 100,000 guests from all 50 states and 33 countries have visited. Park admission is free for those with special needs.
From his small efficiency apartment, Gordon founded Gordon Hartman Homes in 1983 and began to build homes for low-to-moderate income families. Over the next 22 years, his company grew into the largest locally owned homebuilding and land development enterprise in San Antonio.
In August 2011, Gordon opened a school Monarch Academy. It will provide students with special needs a unique learning environment that will enable them to reach their maximum individual potential. Initially the school will serve students ages 12 – 24 and plans for expansion call for a 21,000 square-foot learning facility on a site adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland.
In 2005, Gordon sold his companies. That same year, he established The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, to which he and his wife, Maggie, have donated $15 million to date to pursue their dream of helping children and adults with special needs. Their devotion to this cause is inspired by their 17-yearold daughter, Morgan, who was born with cognitive and physical special needs. In 2007, Gordon recognized the tremendous need for accessible outdoor facilities for individuals with special needs. By April 2010 he launched Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park
Find out more about Gordon and Morgan’s Wonderland on Twitter @MorgansWndrlnd (http://twitter.com/MorgansWndrlnd) or on Facebook Facebook.com/ MorgansWonderland To contact Gordon, email: becky@gordonhartman.com Fun Fact: Gordon loves whole olives. He will not eat sliced olives.
Notes
Rex Hausmann Gallery Director of Hausmann Millworks, A Creative Community Talk Title: “Community as Art, Art in Society” Rex Hausmann lives and works as a full-time artist in San Antonio and New York City. He currently works in his family’s warehouses that have been transformed as the Hausmann Millworks: A Creative Community.
Find out more about Rex on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=515661854 or on his gallery website: hausmannmillworks.com Email Rex at: 10.rex@rexhausmann.com
Hausmann studied business and art at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Baylor University and then transferred on a full scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design — where he earned a BFA in Painting. In Atlanta, Hausmann studied under international artists Sandy Skoglund and Patrick Dougherty. He has worked on projects both nationally and internationally and has shown and lectured globally. His work and large projects often revolve around identities found in communal and domestic contexts,tracing their connections to religion and history.
Fun Fact: Rex has watched his favorite movies — which include “Tortilla Soup,” “The Bird Cage,” and “Ronin” — more than 20 times.
Notes
Benny Lewis Language Hacker Talk Title: “Fluent in Three Months? Rapid Language Hacking” Growing up, Benny Lewis struggled with the English language and had to receive speech therapy.
currently speaking eight of them at high fluency. He now works as a professional translator.
At age 21, and armed with a degree in electronic engineering, Benny moved to Spain and managed to spend six months in an “expat bubble” without ever learning to speak any Spanish.
For the last two years, his blog fluentin3months.com rapidly has grown to more than 200,000 monthly readers. The blog shares his best “language hacks” and encouraging tips. His long-term goal is to convince the world that language talent is irrelevant and that all adults (regardless of means) can and should learn a foreign language quickly.
Everything changed one day when Benny made an important decision to really try and to ignore all of the empty excuses. It changed his life. Within just a few months he was confidently getting by in Spanish and eventually reached an excellent level of mastery in the language. Since then, he has continued his travels (eight years so far, with no home base) and learned more than a dozen languages,
Interact with Benny on Twitter at twitter. com/irishpolyglot or on his Facebook page facebook.com/fluentin3months Email Benny at benny@irishpolyglot.com Fun Fact: Bennie is a sucker for Disney music and has a habit of breaking out into song at random.
Notes
Scott Metzger Founder & CEO, Freetail Brewing Co. Talk Title: “Crafting Better Businesses: Insights from the Beer Industry” Born and raised in San Antonio, Scott Metzger started his professional career in the banking and oil industries before finding his calling in one far more flavorful: the world of craft brewing. From a vow made on New Year’s Eve 2005, Freetail Brewing Co. officially opened on Black Friday, 2008, becoming (at the time) San Antonio’s second operating brewery and Scott’s first completed New Year’s Resolution. Since then, Freetail has been racking up local, statewide and national awards and recognition as one of the country’s top up-and-coming brewpubs. Named in 2010 as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40,” Scott also serves as executive director of the nonprofit Texas Beer Freedom, an organization devoted to the promotion of fair alcohol regulatory reform. Other industry work includes sitting on the Brewpubs and Finance Committees for the Brewers Association and the Legislative Committee for the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
While no one is looking, Scott is also teaches undergraduate economics at The University of Texas-San Antonio. Away from the brewery and classroom, Scott is an avid mountain biker, soccer fan and occasional stand-up comedian. You can interact with Scott on Twitter at twitter.com/beermonkey or through Freetail’s Facebook page www.facebook. com/?ref=home#!/pages/Freetail-BrewingCo/57028762312 Email Scott at news@freetailbrewing.com Fun Fact: In 2009, “San Antonio Magazine” named Scott as one of the city’s Top Singles, probably because they were unaware of an academic paper he penned entitled “The Economic and Statistical Dynamics of Relationships – The Science of Dumping & Getting Dumped.”
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Ezekiel Ndikumana Pastor Talk Title: “Keeping Culture Alive: A Refugee’s Story of Survival, Strength and Hope Through Music” Ezekiel Ndikumana works 10 to 12-hour shifts, six days a week at a San Antonio tomato produce company. On his way and to and from his job, Ezekiel — one the only automobile owners in his community — picks up and drops off nine friends at their respective employers. For Ezekiel, the hard work and extra carpooling is hardly an inconvenience. After living 34 years in the wretched conditions of a Tanzanian refugee camp — where Ezekiel’s wife gave birth to seven of the couple’s children — he feels “lucky” to live a productive life in Texas.
Faith and singing kept the Ndikumana family’s hope alive in the refugee camp, and three years ago, the United Nations — as part of its refugee relocation program — flew the family to America to live. Against the advice of other refugees and West Africans in San Antonio, Ezekiel started a Pentecostal church, where the family now expresses their Burundi culture through joyful music that attracts visitors from all over the state. To contact Ezekiel, please email Michele Koch at mkoch@springcreekumc.org
Notes
Matthew T. Pirko Principal, JesRico Consulting Talk Title: “Cyber City USA: San Antonio’s Invisible and Powerful Economic Weapon” Matthew T. Pirko knows all about flying under the radar. A retired Air Force communication and information systems officer, Matthew built awareness for San Antonio’s cyber-security industry — an invisible and powerful economic force in the Alamo City — through Cyber City USA http://cybercityusa.org Cyber City USA is a program that draws out cyber-security professionals from the worlds of academia, private industry and military/ government for collaboration. Over the last 20 years in his military and private career, Matthew has traveled the globe from Japan to Italy and the Middle East working on sensitive cyber-security projects. After his retirement in 2009, Matthew returned to San Antonio as an employee for a defense contractor. It was during this time that he volunteered to set up Cyber City USA.
Recently, Matthew moved to Waco to pursue a doctoral degree in cyber security at Baylor University. However, he returns often to San Antonio to keep the cyber security mission alive and regularly advocates for the city’s specialty in this industry at the state and federal legislative levels. Matt and his wife, Patty, have two sons: Cody, 25, a chef, and Nick, 21, a Marine Lance Corporal recently returned from his first deployment to Afghanistan. To learn more about Matthew, visit his consulting firm website at www. jesricoconsulting.com or find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/matt.pirko. Contact Matt at: matthew.pirko@gmail.com Fun Fact: Matthew’s medical record reads: “Atrophy was the result of a tragic hot tub accident.”
Notes
Gurvinder P. “G.P.” Singh CEO, Paras Capital Management Talk Title: “Life Lessons for Realizing Your Potential” Gurvinder “G.P.” Singh, founder of Karta Technologies Inc., is an innovator and an entrepreneur. He grew this business from a one-man, garage operation to more than 400 professionals — creating the largest San Antonio-based defense contractor for professional services.
Since retiring from Karta’s board, G.P. has been committed to community service. He currently serves on five boards, including Trinity University, the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Rapier Educational Foundation, the Cancer Therapy & Research Center, and the Bank of San Antonio.
Karta was acquired by NCI Information Systems Inc. (NCIT) while G.P. was the majority shareholder in June of 2007; he continued to serve on the board of NCI Information Systems (Nasdaq: NCIT) from 2007 to 2010.
To find out more about G.P. go to www.facebook.com/G.P.Singh. To find out more about Sikhs and Sikhism, their art and culture, visit daily digital magazine www.sikhchic.com
G.P. holds both a master’s in mechanical engineering and doctoral degree in mechanics from Drexel University. He worked at Southwest Research Institute as a senior research engineer and later joined the engineering faculty at UTSA. In 1986 he formed Karta.
You may contact G.P. at gpsingh2006@ gmail.com Fun Fact: G.P. started his entrepreneurial journey from India with $11 in his pocket. He spent $3 for a breakfast omelet and arrived in the United States with $8 to his name.
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Sichan Siv Former Ambassador, United Nations Talk Title: “From the Killing Fields to the White House” Sichan Siv is the international bestselling author of Golden Bones, an American dream story, published by HarperCollins. He was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2001 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as a United States ambassador to the United Nations, serving until 2006. In June 2005, Ambassador Siv addressed the 60th anniversary of the U.N. in San Francisco.
and was resettled as a refugee in Wallingford, Connecticut. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the “George H.W. Bush Award for Outstanding Public Service” and from the Brazilian Academy of Art, Culture, and History. He and his wife, the former Martha Pattillo of Pampa, Texas, spend their time in San Antonio, New York, and beyond.
From 1989 to 1993, Ambassador Siv served at the White House as deputy assistant to President George H.W. Bush and as deputy assistant secretary of State. In the private sector, he has held positions in social services, educational exchange, financial management, and investment banking. He provides global strategic advice and gives motivational speeches around the United States and the world.
Learn more about Ambassador Siv on Facebook: facebook.com/#!/profile. php?id=654963857 or on his website: www.sichansiv.com
Ambassador Siv holds a master of international affairs from Columbia University. He escaped Cambodia’s killing fields in 1976
Email Ambassador Siv at ssiv@aol.com Fun Fact: Ambassador Siv has a pilot’s license and volunteers for the Civil Air Patrol and Volunteers in Airport Policing in his free time.
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Pamela Taylor Co-founder and President, Dress for Success® San Antonio Talk Title: “Creating a Safe Space for the Empowerment of Women” In 2002, Pamela Taylor co-founded Dress for Success San Antonio, bringing the thenailing agency back to life and building it into the thriving organization it is today. Once a victim of domestic abuse, Pamela views her job as a calling and pours her heart daily into agency oversight, growth and development. Under her guidance, Dress for Success San Antonio has become a leader in advancing the socioeconomic status of disadvantaged women and their families in San Antonio by preparing and supporting women as they move toward jobs and economic independence. Dress for Success San Antonio was the designated 2009 Professional Women’s Group Affiliate of the Year, the second international award they have received. Pamela brings a wealth of experience, particularly in the areas of domestic and workplace violence prevention, and has served many roles for Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc./Battered Women’s and Children’s Shelter.
Pamela has more than 20 years business experience in management, telecommunications and sales. She is a Certified Image Consultant and Color Analyst. She is the mother of two grown children, and grandmother of five. Find out more about Dress for Success on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/pages/Dressfor-Success-San-Antonio/52756638132 or the organization’s website: dressforsuccess. org/sanantonio Email Pamela at: pamela@dfssa.org Fun Fact: Pamela sang Country & Western music professionally for more than 25 years.
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Juan C. Tejeda Instructor of Music & Mexican-American Studies, Palo Alto College Talk Title: “Xicanismo and Tejano Music: Local Music, Global Identity & Vision” Juan Tejeda incorporates the rythmn of Tejano music into all aspects of his life. A writer, ex-jefe danzante Azteca, arts administrator, educator, editor and publisher, Juan has been directing and developing the first Conjunto music program at the college/ university level in the nation since 2002. Juan has taught Bicultural Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio and currently is a tenured full-time faculty member at Palo Alto College. For 18 years, Juan was the Xicano Music Program Director for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, where he created the internationally renowned Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio. Juan has written and lectured extensively on the history and socio-cultural significance and importance of Tejano and Conjunto music. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in Bicultural Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Juan and his wife, Anisa Onofre, are copublishers/editors of Aztlan Libre Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to Xican@ Literature and Art. Find out more about Juan on Facebook at facebook.com/juanctejeda or on the Aztlan Libre Press website: aztlanlibrepress.com Contact Juan at juantejeda@sbcglobal.net Fun Fact: Juan changed his name to John while at the University of Texas in Austin during the ’70s. Some of his family members still call him Johnny.
Notes
Elaine Wolff Editor, Plaza de Armas Talk Title: “The Citizen and The Journalist: A Relationship Counseling Session for the Digital Age” Elaine is founder and editor of Plaza de Armas, a digital, independent journalism enterprise that offers provocative, in-depth coverage of San Antonio’s politics, business, and culture.The media site’s mantra is: “No sacred cows allowed.” Prior to creating Plaza de Armas, Elaine worked as the editor and arts editor of the alternative newsweekly the San Antonio Current, where she won awards for arts criticism, feature writing, and political columns. Before joining the Current, she founded a long-lived weekly news and variety program at Austin’s KOOP Radio.
A graduate of St. Mary’s University, Elaine is married to Michael Westheimer. Together they have four children, ages 11-22. You can visit the Plaza de Armas site at: plazadearmastx.com or follow the publication on Twitter at twitter.com/PlazaDeArmasTX To contact Elaine, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/elaine.wolff or email her at ewolff@plazadearmastx.com Fun Fact: Elaine was arrested (and quickly cleared) of being AWOL from the U.S. Army.
Notes
Thank You We’d like to take a moment to recognize those people who have made significant behind-the-scenes contributions TEDxSanAntonio 2011. Our team offers the deepest gratitude to the following friends: Shawn Cohen Communications Committee Chair
Randy Bear Michele Koch Programming Committee Chairs
Dennis Ahlburg
Patti Larsen
Mary Beth Panagos
Kathy Babb
Sergio Luna
Carlos Pena
Greg Best
Chris McDermott
Celina Pena
Shari Biediger
Kim Murray McDonald
Juliana PĂŠrez
Lauren Bleser
Michael B. Maine
Cynthia Phelps
Bruce Bravo
Brooke Miceli
Greg Price
Marcie Casas
Jennifer Milikien
Kevin Rayhons
Shelley Valentine Cook
Derba Mills
Amber Rodriguez
Ana Grace
Kristina Mistry
Wayne Thomas
Bev Ingle
Nicholas Mistry
Regina Villalobos
Reuben Kaller
Sanford Nowlin
Charles White
Ann Knoebel
Lorena Ortega
Judy White
Rob La Gesse
Nan Palmero
Tripoint YMCA
Entertainment
SOLI Chamber Ensemble Musical Performance
For more than a decade, SOLI’s core members — Stephanie Key, Ertan Torgul, David Mollenauer, and Carolyn True — have gained a reputation for giving voice not only to 20th century “classics” but also for their strong commitment to commissioning new works and breathing life into the music of living composers. Named “Best Chamber Ensemble” by the San Antonio Current two years running, SOLI Chamber Ensemble continues to mesmerize audiences with its cutting-edge performances. In March 2008, SOLI had the honor of being one of three chamber ensembles invited to perform in the first ever Classical Music event at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music & Media Festival in Austin, Texas. Over 14 seasons, SOLI has received numerous awards including multiple grants from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Meet the Composer, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Find out more about SOLI on its website: Solichamberensemble.com Email SOLI at: info@solichamberensemble.com
Sponsors
Sponsors
TEDxSanAntonio.com
OCTOBER 15, 2011 Jane and Arthur Stieren Theater Trinity University