UKOUG Directors Elections 2008

The follow members are all nominated candidates for a place on the UK Oracle User Group Board of Directors.

There are 7 positions available on the Board this year.

The 13 candidates have been arranged in alphabetical order. Please consider each candidate carefully and vote for not more than 7 people.

Candidate

Ari Aaltonen
Director - Head of Oracle Solutions Practice  ::  Cognizant

Experience using Oracle products

I have more than 10 years experience developing, implementing, supporting, troubleshooting and using Oracle products including Oracle Ebiz, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, Siebel and Oracle Technology and Middleware.     I have also been building Oracle SOA solutions using latest Oracle Technology and Middleware (Fusion) for large number of UK companies.     Currently I am heading Oracle Solutions Practise at Cognizant , my practice implements Oracle Applications, Oracle Technology, JDE Applications and PeopleSoft application solutions. We also use PeopleSoft HCM and CRM applications for internal purposes.

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Worked for Oracle for nine years at Oracle, supporting Oracle Customers, worked as a SIG Buddy (User Group Ambassador) Public Sector Local Government SIG and supported Public Sector Central Government SIG.    As a part of my role, I regularly ran sessions for different SIGs on how to use and get the best out of Oracle products and the best way to work effectively with Oracle Support and Development.    After leaving Oracle two years ago I have remained an active participant to SIGs and other UKOUG events contributing to them by presenting new ways of supporting and implementing Oracle products.    I am also working with Oracle Partner Network in Oracle products advisory board providing input to Oracle in future product engagements and support related issues.

I am a:  End User & IT Management

Community representation

Oracle Technology, Oracle Middleware (inc BEA), eBusiness Suite, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, Siebel  Fusion, IT Management

Board skills

I have over 15 years in Product Implementation, Product Support and Development within high profile organisation in Financial Services, Telecom, Manufacturing and Logistics, Life Sciences, Retail and Public Sector. I am highly creative customer focussed individual who can provide leadership, communication and network effectively at all levels of an Oracle Ecosystem. I have also MBA from Manchester Business School (UK) and Indiana University (USA)  During my nine years at Oracle I developed a thorough knowledge how the Oracle organisation works.  I have large business network within Oracle and also in the my larger “Oracle Ecosystem” from Oracle customers to Oracle partners. This can be a valuable asset when further developing UKOUG organisation in the coming years.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

My main emphasis will be  improving Oracle customers experience using Oracle products.  This can be achieved by passionately pushing Oracle to improve its communication between Oracle and its users and driving better support to Oracle customers.    UKOUG should maintain and elevate the communication and lobbying between Oracle and its product users, so that it covers all levels of customer organisation from product user to IT managers and CIOs.  UKOUG needs to retain its independence from Oracle working as a main impartial organisation between Oracle and its product users.

Manifesto

After working 9 years at Oracle in Product Implementation, Support and Development I have  strong experience from Oracle Products and Services. I have good knowledge from Oracle Ebiz, Oracle Technology and Middleware, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards and Siebel products.   I have worked for 6 years with UKOUG  as a SIG Buddy while at Oracle and later as a regular visitor at SIGs and other UKOUG events. I see UKOUG as a crucial independent channel between Oracle Corporation and Oracle Product Users and I am passionate to develop this relationship further.  In summary why I believe I would be a strong UKOUG Board Member 

•             Strong Oracle organisation, product and customer knowledge 
•             Existing track record working with UKOUG 
•            Strategic leader and full of fresh new ideas how to develop UKOUG in coming years

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Candidate

Roy Bailley
Business Development Manager  ::  Suracle

Experience using Oracle products

As an Oracle Business and Education Consultant, I implemented Oracle Tutor at a number of customer sites (eBusiness - HRMS and Financials) In Oracle, I used many of its products eg Flex benefits, SSHR, iExpenses etc. Formerly worked as Technical account manager in Oracle and have a good understanding of Oracle technology. More recently, I have acquired a good working knowledge of Oracle's User Productivity Kit (UPK).

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

For the last eighteen months, I have been an OUG director, a role I have enjoyed enormously. In this time, I have attended a large number of SIGs and have spoken at some of them about the role of an OUG director. At IOUC level, I sit on the committees for Support Quality and Education. I have gone out of my way to elicit feedback from the user community for the board. Previously, I helped to set up and support the Criminal Justice SIG and was the Oracle ambassador for a number of other SIGS - Local government apps, Central govt financials, HE (now Education and Research)and NHS. I have always supported the Oracle UK User Group and regard myself as an enthusiastic ambassador.

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

  eBusiness Suite,  PeopleSoft, JD Edwards,   Fusion & IT Management

Board skills

Seven years at Oracle in Business Consulting, Education Consulting, Alliances (TAM), Customer Services, Support (SDM) and EMEA Global Customer Programmes (Programme Director for Executive sponsorship). As a member of the Institute of Customer Service, I would be happy to take a lead in all activities aimed at delivering excellence in customer service. A former senior police officer, university lecturer, trained teacher and experienced Oracle consultant, I can bring a degree of authority, cache and commitment to the User Group.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

To promote customer service at every level within the Oracle community, particularly between our members and Oracle management. I would also continue using my extensive Oracle network for the benefit of the User Group.

Manifesto

During the last ten years, I have been working almost exclusively within the Oracle community. The first seven were spent in a variety of roles in Oracle and the last three have seen me working for Oracle partners.  I have extensive networks both within and outside Oracle. Not only am I known by the vast majority of senior management at Oracle, I have also secured a reputation among Oracle's customers for delivering outstanding customer service (I won a gold ovation in 2003 from Ian Smith)        My knowledge of the Oracle organisation, and my reputation within it, will be of great value to the board. I still retain those links.      

 My recent experience within the partner community has also afforded me insights that will be invaluable in my role as a director.       

As for my qualities for board membership, they may be summarised thus:       
• Excellent communicator, strong presence and advocacy, credible / influential at all levels   
• Strategic thinker, strong analytical skills, innovative problem-solving ability   
• Energetic and proven leader at senior level with the vision and drive to shape events and motivate others   
• Outstanding customer focus (won an Oracle Gold Ovation for customer service excellence). I am a Companion member of the National Institute of Customer Service.       

Experience summary:       
Senior management at strategic level.        
Qualified teacher and former Head of Training for a very large organisation.       
Considerable experience at leading change.       
Oracle roles in Business Consulting, Education Consulting, Technical Account Management, Customer Service Management, Service Delivery Management and Executive Sponsorship Programme Management.       
Partner roles in Business Development Management, Marketing and Customer Relationship Management.      
 If re-elected to the board, I undertake to commit myself fully to the role. I will take every opportunity to listen to members so that the board is always aware of, and able to respond to, feedback.      

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Candidate

Nigel Dahl
Chief Technology Officer  ::  ReportSource

Experience using Oracle products

Experienced implementer and Solutions Architect for all the Oracle|Hyperion EPM product suite; prior technical and functional implementation experience of Oracle Financials and HR applications v10.x and v11.x and Oracle Database to v9

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

I am a regular speaker at Oracle and UK OUG events on subjects relating to Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), especially Consolidation and Master Data Management

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

 Hyperion   

Board skills

15 years experience in the IT industry, almost 30 years programming/development experience; implementation experience of Oracle Financials and Oracle|Hyperion EPM solutions; 16 years post-qualification experience FCCA acting as director and company secretary to a number of companies; strong links with the whole ex-Hyperion community; familiarity with speaking at UKOUG events; wide interest in continuing development and integration of Oracle solutions from apps and Middleware to Database

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

I would use my connections within the ex-Hyperion community (Oracle and customers) to assist with the continuing integration of that community into the wider UKOUG.

Manifesto

I am currently CTO of ReportSource, a UK-based Oracle Certified Partner specialising in the implementation and exploitation of Oracle|Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) solutions.    I have over 15 years experience in the IT industry, everything from running a company developing accounting software for small retailers through to consulting as developer, business analyst and solutions architect on Oracle Applications and, for the last 6 years, Oracle|Hyperion EPM systems.

 I regularly present at Oracle and UKOUG events on various EPM-related topics.    Whilst these days I typically have a more strategic viewpoint on the technology, particularly in Solutions Architect roles for large FTSE 250 companies, I am still excited by the continuing technical developments across the IT landscape. 

My broad interests and programming experience include a considerable amount of web applications development, so I am keen to see further improvement in the Oracle Fusion Middleware technology stack to facilitate better development and use of web-based applications and services, within and outside the enterprise.    Oracle’s acquisition of Hyperion in 2007 was very exciting – EPM is a hot topic across the IT and finance communities. 

The benefits of Oracle’s scale, and the continuing improvement and integration of the EPM applications, BI Server and reporting tools, and Oracle Applications opens up ever more exciting opportunities for better-integrated end-to-end solutions from transaction processing to managing the business.  As someone with many contacts within the ex-Hyperion world, I am well-placed to help with the continuing integration of the Hyperion community into the wider Oracle community through the auspices of UK OUG.   

I am a qualified accountant (FCCA) and have served as director or company secretary for a number of companies over the years, so the responsibilities of being a director of this sort of organisation are familiar to me.   

With your support, I look forward to and welcome the opportunity to serve the UK Oracle User Group community as a whole.

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Candidate

Lisa Dobson
Senior Consultant  ::  SolStonePlus

Experience using Oracle products

Oracle databases from v7.3.4 to 11g.  Oracle BI Suite of products including OBIEE, BI Publisher, Warehouse Builder& Discoverer

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Co-chair of the Oracle on Windows SIG, Chair of Northern Server technology Days, instigator of Back to Basics Event, speaker at various events.

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

Oracle Technology        

Board skills

My role as a Senior Consultant at SolStonePlus, combined with my technical background has given me the ability to see and understand Oracle from all angles, from end user through developer/DBA to managerial and executive level.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

I’d like to see more events/SIG’s taking place in the North of England, and I’d like to encourage more beginner content at UKOUG Events.

Manifesto

I have worked with a wide range of Oracle products for over 10 years, beginning as an Oracle Financials End User, and then progressing through roles as Oracle Financials Support Analyst and Oracle DBA before gaining my current role with SolStonePlus as a Senior Business Intelligence Consultant.  This has given me a well rounded Oracle background from end user to Consultant, covering applications, databases and Business Intelligence.   

I have been actively involved with the UK Oracle User Group for many years, initially as a member of the community, before becoming a Volunteer in 2005 with the creation of the Oracle on Windows SIG, of which I am co-chair.   I am also a regular speaker at many of the UK Oracle User Group events, including the Annual Conference, OUG Scotland Conference, and OUG Ireland Conference.    Being a ‘Northern Lass’ myself, I have campaigned endlessly to raise the presence of the UK Oracle User Group within the North of England and have been the driving force behind the Northern Server Technology Day. The success of this event over the last 3 years has been a big achievement and the delegate feedback has been outstanding.  

 I am also known within the community for the work I have done in ensuring that beginners to Oracle Technology are well represented. It began with the creation of the ‘Oracle Newbies Blog’ in 2005, and continues with the new ‘Back to Basics’ event and the commitment to ensuring the provision of beginner level content on the Annual Conference Agenda.    Both of these events have been hugely successful and well received by the User Group Community. Delegate feedback has consistently congratulated the UKOUG on striving to meet the needs of all members of the Oracle Community.   

If I am elected to the Board, I would continue to work hard to ensure that your needs are met, and will provide a strong commitment to increase the presence of the UKOUG in the North of England and the beginners community.  I would strive to work alongside other members of the Board and encourage other Special Interest Groups to hold meetings in the North of England, thus ensuring that all users of Oracle Technology have an opportunity to attend a local meeting, and not just the Server Technology Community.  

 I see joining the Board as the next step from being a Volunteer and I will bring boundless energy and enthusiasm to making sure the UK Oracle User Group continues to work to meet the needs of its members. We need to continue to grow and evaluate how we can provide you with the best possible service, whatever your skill level or location, and regardless of what has traditionally been done in the past.

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Candidate

Carl Dudley
Database Technology Consultant  ::  University of Wolverhampton

Experience using Oracle products

Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition  Oracle Database 11g Enterprise Edition  SQL Developer  Oracle Application Express

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

SIG Chair for UKOUG,  Director of UKOUG,  Director of EOUG,  Member of EOUC,  Member of IOUC representing EMEA Users Group   
Given over 100 presentations at national and international user group and Oracle conferences

I am a: Trainer End User Consultant IT Management

Community representation

Oracle Technology Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)   &   IT Management

Board skills

Experience in managing user groups of different shapes and sizes    Knowledge of user community    Ability to instigagte new activities and carry them through    An inclusive view of user groups as one voice to Oracle

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Introduction of an increased number of special events focussing on key areas    Closer involvement with other professional bodies e.g. British Computer Society

Manifesto

I have worked with Oracle since 1986 principally as a DBA on a variety of operating system platforms.

My first involvement with the UK Oracle User Group was as a SIG Chair and I am now responsible for overseeing the SIG activity as a UKOUG Director. I have also held the position of European Oracle User Group Director managing focused events across the EMEA region.  

 I have been active as a Member of the International Oracle User Council and have represented UKOUG and EOUG interests. I present regularly at Oracle conferences, user group conferences and SIGs on DBA and SQL related topics and achieved best paper at the European Oracle Users Group Conference. In November 2002 I received the award of ‘DBA of the Year – 2002’ from Oracle Corporation in recognition of my services to the Oracle user community and user group organisations and also my contribution to innovative projects involving the Oracle Server. Oracle ACE status was achieved in 2007.   

I am committed to help Oracle customers get the best out of Oracle products and Oracle Corporation itself. I feel it is important that Oracle users have an effective and strong voice into Oracle, and that they are able to share knowledge and experience with each other. The UKOUG SIGs are a prime example of servicing the   needs of Oracle users. I aim to expand the SIG activity into new areas of expertise while maintaining the present very valuable portfolio. I would like to be given the opportunity to increase our provision of special events and focus days. These are an excellent vehicle for keeping Oracle customers up to date with the rapid changes in Oracle and related technologies. I also believe there are opportunities for UKOUG to align its efforts with other professional bodies which should help to instil good practice in the use of Oracle products.    

I have been extremely fortunate to be involved with the UKOUG over a number of years and to see it grow into its current position as one of the largest and most active user groups in the world. I would very much like to help this continue.    Carl Dudley   October 2008

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Candidate

Julian Dyke
Database Consultant  ::  JulianDyke.com Limited

Experience using Oracle products

Extensive experience of all versions of Oracle Database from 6.0 to 11.1

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Chair of UKOUG RAC & HA SIG. Regular presenter at SIGs and annual conference

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

Oracle Technology        

Board skills

Experience of Chairing SIG. Knowledge of needs of user community. Relationships with Oracle experts and employees throughout the world.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Allow proposers of conference abstract to volunteer to present at SIGs in order to increase size of SIG speaker pool.

Manifesto

I am an independent consultant specializing in performance tuning specializing in Oracle Real Application Clusters environments. I have regular customers across a variety of industry sectors including manufacturing, finance, public sector, broadcasting, media, gambling, health, logistics, insurance and retailing.      

 I have worked with Oracle databases for almost 20 years as a developer, database administrator and consultant. I have worked with every release since Oracle 6.       

 Over the past eight years I have presented regularly at SIGs, seminars and conferences across the world on Oracle internal and performance related topics including an Advanced RAC event in the Oracle University Celebrity Seminar series I have written a book with Steve Shaw of Intel called Pro Oracle Database 10g RAC on Linux which was published in 2006. I am also a member of the Oak Table network.      
 I was instrumental in founding the UKOUG RAC & HA SIG and have been the elected Chair of the SIG for the past five years.       
Although I come from a Server Technology background I recognize that the UKOUG represents a wide constituency of members and undertake to ensure the interests of all members are represented in a fair and balanced way. We need to recognize that, in addition to the membership fees, there are indirect costs of attending UKOUG events including time and expenses. We therefore need to maximize the value of our events to members.       

The main assets of the UKOUG are the annual conference and the Special Interest Groups (SIGS) for which the user group is highly regarded throughout the world.       
 I have attended the UKOUG Conference since 2000 and recognize there is a need to balance the interests of delegates, speakers and sponsors in order to maintain the reputation of this event which is highly regarded throughout the world. We need to continuously listen to feedback from all stakeholders and to implement improvements where necessary.      
 I have also attended numerous SIG meetings since 2000. As a SIG chair I understand the importance of developing attractive and balanced agendas. As a director I would seek ways to assist SIG committees in this task ensuring that meetings provide maximum value to attendees.       
UKOUG cannot rely solely on revenue from membership fees and conference. As a director, I would investigate ways to generate income from additional sources such as special events, sponsorship etc.        Finally I believe that one of the strengths of the UKOUG is its independence. However, I also believe that we should continue to maintain and enhance our relationship with Oracle Corporation. As a director I will seek to build on our existing relationships in ways that are beneficial to both organizations.

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Candidate

Ian Jacob
Client Manager  ::  Edenbrook Ltd

Experience using Oracle products

My first Oracle implementation was a migration on 9.4.2 and I've worked on many version in between, right up until and including R12.04.  My roles have varied over the years and began with a technical focus and developed into a functional/Architect role, including Project Management.  I've also been active in scoping and delivering R12 upgrades

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

I regularly attend the Finance and project SIG's.  In the past 12 months I've presented on various occasions. I delivered an R12 presentation to the OGUG, a presentation to the Public sector on the dangers of Excel, presented at the previous conference on R12 and I'm presenting at the next conference on iExpenses.  I also presented an R12 seminar on Oracle premises to interested Oracle implementers.

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

eBusiness Suite      

Board skills

I'm a proactive and enthusiastic individual who made a commitment to Oracle technology more than 20 years ago and who has worked with Oracle ever since.  My experience covers a multitude of modules (all the key Financials ones, as well as supply chain and HR) and a multitude of technologies.  I like rolling my sleeves up, helping people, getting involved with clients and helping them to achieve their aspirations, solving problems, brainstorming new ideas and generally participating in new developments either as part of a team effort, or individually.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

I think it would be helpful if as part of the mailshot that goes out to special interest groups, a series of topics are presented and we get to vote on our preferred subjects so that when each SIG comes around, we can be more response to what members are interested in.  Voting online in a "blog" or "web vote" would be perfect

Manifesto

My career has spanned 25 years, 20 of which have been delivering Oracle Applications solutions for a variety of different business sectors. I've worked in a purely financial capacity, in construction, communications and healthcare. I’ve also worked on a variety of public sector engagements.  In 2000, I worked for Weightwatchers UK as part of the executive team and had my first experience of boardroom decision making.  I’ve extensive experience of leading both functional and technical teams throughout the project life cycle. I’ve managed diverse teams both on and offshore and I’m both Prince 2 and SSADM Version 4 Certified.       

From a technical perspective, I’ve also specified interfaces for a variety of Financials modules.  I’ve designed, managed and implemented a number of migrations and my primary areas of expertise are with Project Accounting, Financials and HR. This leaves me perfectly placed to truly understand the needs of OUG members and to both respond to feedback, or be proactive and the champion of new initiatives.       
Over the past few years I’ve become more and more involved with OUG activities and in the last 12 months alone, I’ve presented at OUG functions on five occasions.      
 I'm positive and enthusiastic, I frequently take on extra responsibilities and I'm willing to go that extra mile to help clients achieve their goals.  I see the position of Director as an extension to that role and it would give me a fantastic opportunity to help keep a positive profile for the OUG and deliver tangible benefits for its members.      
 I truly believe I can make a difference and help the OUG to maintain its commitment to its members and remain relevant, thought provoking and help to inspire success.

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Candidate

David Kurtz
Director  ::  Go-Faster Consultancy Ltd.

Experience using Oracle products

Oracle RDBMS 10g, PeopleSoft 9, PeopleTools 8.49

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Chair of UNIX UKOUG SIG 2000-2006  UKOUG Director 2006-2008  Regular speaker at UKOUG conference and SIG meetings.  Active in the PeopleSoft community since 1998  Author of "PeopleSoft for the Oracle".  PeopleSoft DBA Blog  Moderator of PSFTDBA Forum (on yahoo)

I am a:     

Community representation

Oracle Technology Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)  PeopleSoft     

Board skills

* Experience of UKOUG: I have been a UKOUG “volunteer” for 8 years, the last 2 years as a director.  I have a good understanding of how it functions, and what its members want.  * I run my own company, so I understand the duties and obligations of a director within a small company.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Manifesto

I’ve have regularly attended UKOUG conferences and SIG meetings since the early 1990s.  Then, Oracle was primarily a database company.  Today, through a bewildering series of acquisitions it is a very different company with a much wider focus.      Consequently the Oracle community is much larger and more disparate. But the purpose of the user group has not changed; it must represent customers to the vendor, and provide a place for the community to meet and share its experiences.    Through my own experience I am able to represent two distinct sections of the Oracle community.    •    I’ve been working with the Oracle database as a developer and DBA since 1989, so my background is in Oracle technology.     
•             I worked for PeopleSoft UK from 1996 to 2000 in support and consultancy, and since then I have specialised in PeopleSoft technology.   
•             BEA was acquired by Oracle this year.  PeopleSoft makes extensive use of BEA Tuxedo and Weblogic server, so I have some understanding of BEA’s products.  

 In 2000, I set up my own company which provides Oracle and PeopleSoft systems performance consultancy.  I still work with many PeopleSoft customers in the UK and abroad.  It gives me a view of what PeopleSoft customers want from their systems, what are their problems, and their problems interacting with Oracle.   

Since 2005, PeopleSoft has been a part of Oracle Corporation, and PeopleSoft users have become a part of the wider Oracle community that UKOUG serves.  Oracle’s acquisition of PeopleSoft was more turbulent than any other.  Many problems remain, but over three years things have settled down.  Oracle has clearly committed to PeopleSoft’s future through its Applications Unlimited and Application Integration Architecture announcements.  UKOUG will continue to press Oracle on issues of concern to the community, just as does for any other section of the Oracle community.   

In 2000, I also became chair of the Unix SIG until 2006, when I when I became a director of UKOUG.  As a SIG chair I was responsible for the agenda content of the SIG, and so received the feedback from members who attend the meetings. So, I have learned what members want from their user group.  

 I am a firm believer in the concept of the User Group.  Electronic communities are very useful form of interaction, but sometimes there is no substitute for getting together to learn about what’s new, and find out what other people are doing.  Members consistently tell us that is what they want.  I want to see the UKOUG continue to do that.

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Candidate

(James) Peter Phillips
Consultant  ::  J. Peter Phillips

Experience using Oracle products

Approximately 6 years while head of IT for the administration of the University of Manchester; 15 years as a Director of UKOUG.

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Events Director of UKOUG for 15 years

I am a:     Retired IT management, now consultant.

Community representation

IT Management

Board skills

28 years' experience of all aspects of directing and running IT conferences; 15 years' experience as a Board member of UKOUG; 40 years' IT experience.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Restructure of the conference calendar to reflect a new financial model.

Manifesto

CV:    1968: B.Sc. (Hons.) in Natural Philosophy (i.e. Physics), University of Glasgow.    1968-71: Honeywell Ltd, Newhouse, Lanarkshire.    1971-96: University of Manchester, Administrative Computer Unit    1978-96: Head of IT (retired 1996).    1992-present: UKOUG Events Director.    1996-present: Independent Computer Consultant.    1998-present: Peartree Publishing,    Joint Founder and Partner.        M.B.C.S., M.I.M.I.S.                 

Manifesto:    I have two things to offer to the UKOUG: experience and time.         

As well as being Events Director for the UKOUG since 1992, I have served as Secretary, Company Secretary, Events Director and Financial Director for three other computer user groups, and have a total of 28 years of experience of such companies.  Since the companies concerned have varied in size from very small, where the user group was run by myself and one other person, to the UKOUG, arguably the largest and most successful of its kind in the world, my knowledge encompasses all aspects of user group direction and administration.       

The vast majority of the work of the Board is concerned with the running of the Company, UKOUG Limited, including all the many and varied problems of staffing, financial direction etc. I hope to be able to continue to use my experience in these matters to the benefit of the UKOUG and its members.      

 Since my retirement from the role of head of internal IT at the University of Manchester, which was and remains a major user of Oracle products, I have worked in a number of part-time, self-employed positions. This means that I am able to devote as much time to the UKOUG as the Board deems desirable and necessary. I have no employer to consult and there is no possibility of a conflict of interest.       

During my period of tenure as Events Director, the Annual Conference of the UKOUG has grown enormously in size, and is internationally recognised as “best in breed” of all such events in the Oracle marketplace worldwide. No one within the directorate or administration has more experience of running the event than myself. I would be honoured to be able to continue to serve the UKOUG in this role or in any other that the Board might deem appropriate. The Board has recently instituted a fundamental review of the UKOUG’s activities and I look forward to being actively involved in this process during the coming months if I am re-elected.

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Candidate

David Rowntree
Controller - Business Systems  ::  Calor Gas Ltd

Experience using Oracle products

JD Edwards World and Enterprise 1

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

JD Edwards User Committee Chairman for last two years. Taken up position of Finance Director for UKOUG

I am a:  End User   

Community representation

JD Edwards     

Board skills

Extensive knowledge of JD Edwards systems and contacts with the business partner community. Qualified Accountant

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Re ignite the JD Edwards User Community.

Manifesto

Firstly I am a genuine end user  of Oracle products and services, the company I work for is Calor Gas who have implementations in several countries. Being an end user I am in a good position to represent the issues that face Oracles users to Oracle Corporation.

My involvement in the Oracle community lies as an active member of the JD Edwards committee organising SIG's and conference agenda for this group of members. This culminated with the recent revitalised and very successful JD Edwards conference held in November this year.

 I am a Qualified Accountant (FCCA) and am well versed in the responsibilities of being a Director, having been involved in establishing the JD Edwards User Group as a Limited Company before it was merged into the UKOUG.
I am keen to ensure that the User Group operates effectively in fulfilling its role in providing a forum for members to exchange ideas and information as well as providing a platform for increasing product knowledge. I have been successful in putting the JD Edwards on a sound financial footing saving it from potential extinction in 1998 to becoming a very successful Group organising conferences at Manchester, ICC Birmingham, Bolton and Heathrow Airport.

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Candidate

Peter Singleton
Managing Director  ::  Analitica

Experience using Oracle products

Hypeion user and consultant for 14 Years including HYperion Planning, Enterpise and Essbase.

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

Have actively presented and attended at all relevant events since joining after the Oracle takeover of Hyperion. Staff regularly contribute to product forums etc.

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

Hyperion   

Board skills

I have been involved with the HYperion/Oracle community for many years, am a proficient presenter, a senior manager and have also worked for the software vendor.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Having only been involved for a year, I have seen more good things than bad in the OUG! Having said that I am always keen to improve processes and remove bureaucracy wherever it stands int he way of a better user experience.

Manifesto

I have been an active member of the Hyperion community since my first days with the products, including being a member of all user groups, a regular presenter at user and vendor events, and myself and my company actively contribute to all user forums and events including web sites, blogs and white papers. Since the Oracle takeover of Hyperion, I have presented at all relevant OUG events and contributed to partner and end user discussions.  As Managing Director of a partner consultancy and having held senior positions within Hyperion itself, and various user and partner organisations, I feel I have a good knowledge and experience of the needs and requests of the Hyperion community, and also the capability to manage the direction of user groups in the future.  

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Candidate

Geoff Swaffer
UK AM Oracle Competency Centre Manager  ::  Capgemini UK Plc

Experience using Oracle products

15 + years of working with Oracle products from V6 to 10.g, Apps 10.7 to 12 etc.

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

I have done a lot to contribute to our internal Oracle community and actively encourage staff to participate in SIG's and other events.

I am a:    IT Management

Community representation

Oracle Technology Oracle Middleware (inc BEA) eBusiness Suite    Fusion IT Management

Board skills

My love of Oracle and belief in the importance of the UK OUG  My depth and breadth of experience of Oracle products over many years  My relationship with Oracle and other organisations  My ability to perform a variety of roles on the Board  My commercial experience in both large and small organisations  My interpersonal skills and desire to see people develop their Oracle careers

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Manifesto

I have worked for Capgemini UK since 1995 and my current role is the Oracle Competency Centre Manager for Capgemini Outsourcing Applications Management in the UK where we have approx 200 people as well as a large number in India. A major part of my role is building a closer working alliance with Oracle, other SI’s and ISV’s which means that I need to have an understanding of how they both work as organisations and having a network of contacts. As well as my UK focus I am running with some joint global activities with Capgemini and Oracle and I think that all of this experience and knowledge is something that is very relevant to the role of UKOUG Director.   

I am also responsible for the training and development of our Oracle staff, which means that I need to work closely with Oracle keeping abreast of new products and acquisitions and formulating a joint view / strategy on how best to ensure that we have the right capability. Capgemini is a major CAP and we are fortunate in getting a very strong Alliance focus from Oracle which gives me access to lots of people and information that I can bring and apply to the role of UKOUG Director.  

I have focused my career on Oracle since 1993 having worked in the IT industry for many years for a variety of large and small (both commercial and public sector) organisations in different roles. In the course of my Oracle career I have worked on many large bespoke and package based developments / implementations in most of the primary IT roles such as development, functional, project management and for the last few years I have specialised as an Oracle Applications DBA. This depth and breadth of practical and technical experience gives me knowledge of and a keen interest in most of the IT roles and the associated Oracle product portfolio.    

I have always been a supporter and advocate of the UKOUG and I am very pleased that my current role in Capgemini has enabled me to start to take a greater personal involvement in it. I see the role of UK OUG Director as being somewhere that I can really contribute to the wider Oracle community. My experience of different types and sizes of organisation and technical experience of much of the Oracle product set means that I can represent the views and needs of much of the UKOUG as well as performing a variety of roles on the Board. It would be a privilege to give something back to the Oracle community and serve as a Director of the UKOUG.

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Candidate

Sue Yates
Independent Consultant  ::  Personal membership

Experience using Oracle products

Used Oracle products since 1990 – Oracle CASE.  Progressed though all versions of Oracle Case, Designer/2000 to Oracle Designer. Most recent version used is Designer 9i. Knowledge of JDeveloper but not yet used in anger.

My involvement with Oracle Community to date

I chaired the Modelling, Analysis and Design SIG for 8 years, standing down from that role in July 2007. I have volunteered for many other UKOUG activities, including chairing at annual conference, judging papers for annual conference and agenda setting days.

I am a:   Consultant  

Community representation

Oracle Technology    &    Awareness across all business streams

Board skills

Several years experience of SIGs and other UKOUG activities.  Strong communication skills and ability to innovate.  Significant user experience and perspective.

Improvements I would make to UKOUG

Ensuring that the user group remains a cohesive entity - breaking down any perceived barriers across disciplines and striving to ensure that the UKOUG is fully representative of and for all members.

Manifesto

I first learned how to spell Oracle in 1990 when I joined a central Oracle support group at British Airways. While there I pioneered the use of Oracle Case and Designer at the company and was involved in beta programmes for Oracle UK. I have continued to champion the use of Oracle Designer and modelling tools in general through my career as a business consultant, first at CACI Limited and most recently at EDS Consulting Services.    

I have been an active participant in UKOUG events since the early 1990s, spending 8 years as Co-Chair of the Modelling, Analysis and Design SIG before standing down from that role in Summer 2007, and regularly contributing to paper judging and agenda selection days for conference. You will see me chairing several presentations at UKOUG again this year. My most recent ‘day job’ as a consultant for EDS Consulting Services was a hands-on, client facing role, often acting on behalf of users of a variety of modelling and design tools, including the Oracle suite of tools. Combining this significant user experience with my knowledge of the UKOUG from the perspective of both member and volunteer gives me a great insight to not only what the user group can offer but also what members would like and expect.   

 I strongly believe that membership of a user group has to be an enjoyable experience - events should be geared to members needs and should provide inspiration to participate and learn.  The UKOUG is a leader of its kind which I believe provides Oracle users with unparalleled networking, learning and sharing opportunities. Considered leadership and innovative thought are needed to ensure that the user group continues to flourish – qualities I hope to bring to the board if my nomination is successful.    

Having enjoyed many years of support for participation in all UKOUG events from previous employers, I am now working as an independent consultant. I have a long held passion and enthusiasm for the user group and would ensure that, if my nomination is successful, I contribute fully in all capacities as a director.

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