The directors elected in March 2010
Below is a list of the 10 candidates who have put themselves forward for the 6 positions available on the UKOUG Board. Please consider each candidate carefully.
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Go-Faster Consultancy Ltd |
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Fujitsu |
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BT |
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Thales Information Systems |
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SolStonePlus |
Candidate: David Kurtz
Independent Consultant Go-Faster
Consultancy LTd.
Experience using
Oracle products:
Oracle 11g, PeopleSoft 9, PeopleTools 8.49,
Tuxedo 9, Weblogic 9
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
Chair of UKOUG Unix SIG 2000-2007, UKOUG Director 2006-2008, Regular speaker at UKOUG conference and
SIGs Active in PeopleSoft community
since 1998 Author of 'PeopleSoft for the
Oracle DBA' PeopleSoft DBA Blog Moderator of PSFTDBA forum Oracle ACE
I am a :
Independent
Consultant
Community
representation:
Oracle Technology
Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)
PeopleSoft
Board skills:
I can represent two significant areas of the
wider Oracle community * Database Server
Technology – I have worked with the Oracle database for over 20 years as a
developer and DBA, and with many different companies. * PeopleSoft – I worked with PeopleSoft since
1996, and was regular presenter at their UK RUG meetings, and European user
conferences. * BEA Tuxedo and Weblogic
are used by PeopleSoft applications, and hence I am familiar with them too, and
they are now Oracle products. I have
extensive experience of the UKOUG. I was chair of the Unix SIG for 6 years, and
am a member of PeopleSoft SIGs committee.
I have previously been a director of UKOUG. I have first hand knowledge of what a user
community needs from its user group.
Although I come from a technology background, my performance consultancy
work shows me range of the needs that user companies have from their Oracle
systems at all levels of a business from end users, though developer and DBAs
to managerial and executive.
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
The database server technology SIGs have
traditionally been the core of the user group.
The way they are sub-divided and named owes more to the history of the
user group responding to the evolution of Oracle, and the demands of the
community. We have DBMS, Unix, Windows,
RAC/HA SIG, as well as a Northern Server Tech Day. There is considerable overlap, and some
confusion. Working with the existing SIG
committees, I would like to see them reorganised to reflect the modern demands
of working with the database.
Manifesto:
I am an independent consultant specialising
in performance tuning of PeopleSoft ERP and Oracle RDBMS systems.
I have worked with the Oracle database as a developer and DBA since 1989, so my
background is in Oracle technology. I’ve
have regularly attended UKOUG conferences and SIG meetings since the early
1990s.
I worked for PeopleSoft UK from 1996 to 2000, since when I have specialised in
Oracle and PeopleSoft technology and its performance optimisation. I have
written a book about it; PeopleSoft for the Oracle DBA was published in 2005. I also write the PeopleSoft DBA blog and a
separate Oracle database blog. I am a
member of the Oak Table, and I am an Oracle ACE.
When I started, Oracle was primarily a database company. Today, through a
bewildering series of acquisitions it is a very different company with a wide
range of products. Consequently the Oracle community is much larger and more
disparate. But the purpose of the user group has not changed; it must represent
the user community to the vendor, and provide a place for the community to meet
and share its experiences.
No one
director can hope to keep up to date with the entire Oracle landscape, hence
the board must have a balanced content.
Through my experience I am able to represent a number of distinct
sections of the Oracle community; the database, and PeopleSoft. The BEA products are already becoming a more
significant to the middleware community.
As a consultant, I do not represent any
one Oracle customer, but as an independent consultant I work with lots of
Oracle and PeopleSoft customers, often embedded into their teams. So I share their perspective of Oracle and
its products.
I also have long
experience of UKOUG. I was chair of the
Unix SIG for 6 years, I have been involved with the PeopleSoft SIG since they
became a part of UKOUG. I have learned
what users wanted, because they told me.
One area that I believe the user group must address is the organisation of the
database technology SIGs. Their current
organisation is largely a historical legacy.
The UNIX SIG was created when Oracle started to be run on something
other than mainframes, today it is the norm, but where does that leave the DBMS
SIG? How much is there that is really
Windows specific? When RAC was new a
separate SIG made good sense, but now it is becoming business as usual. A reorganisation with better coordination
between SIGs would allow more focussed agendas, with more presentations at the
same meeting of interest to each individual. Effectively delivering more value
to members, and making it easier to justify the time and cost of a day out of
the office. I think the UKOUGs
presence in the north of England is still a weakness and an opportunity. The Northern Server Technology day was
originally started a one-off experiment.
It has become a regular annual event, but has not grown into a SIG. The proposed reorganisation would also
include how to improve UKOUGs offering in the North of England, and so grow the
membership
Candidate: Debra Lilley
Principal Consultant Fujitsu
Experience using
Oracle products:
15 years of EBS from 9.4.1 to current releases,
Hyperion, OBIEE and OBIA
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
I have served on the UKOUG board for 8 years
including 6 as Deputy Chair. I speak regularly and currently focus on fusion
technology and applications. I write a column in Oracle Scene and have both a
blog and tweet. I am recognised as an ACE Director for Applications. I head the
IOUC PDC
I am a :
Trainer
End User
Consultant
IT Management
Community
representation:
Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)
EBusiness Suite
Hyperion
IT Management
Fusion
Board skills:
Understanding of Oracle Products Current relationship with Oracle as User,
Partner and User Group leader Chartered
Director, Corporate Governance Speaker
so understand their needs as well
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
Continue to introduce innovative products
and services that add to the member value whilst keeping the organisation
financially stable.
Manifesto:
I have 15 years experience with Oracle
Applications, within the Fujitsu Services Oracle Practice, where my roles have
included responsibility for Fujitsu’s own EMEA implementation, as well as
working with external customers, mainly public sector.
I was support manager for Fujitsu Oracle
customers, then a Financials and Reporting Consultant, widening my expertise
into Projects, Contracts and HR. I started as a COBOL developer in the Civil
Service, Analyst with MOD in Berlin and then with Gloucester County Council. I
moved to Fujitsu when IT was transferred under a FM deal.
I hold an OCP in Oracle EBS,
an Oracle Masters, and annually take Partner competency exams.
I am an Oracle ACE Director one of only 4 for
applications. In the past I have undergone Director Training with the IOD and
in turn have provided training for new directors. I am a chartered Director and
Chartered IT Professional. I have been
a director for eight years and Deputy Chair for six. I have been instrumental
in encouraging greater representation of our smaller groups, product, industry
and regions.
I have worked since the first
announcement of Fusion Applications to ensure that UKOUG have had their input
into this exciting change in application design. To ensure this I have
represented YOU through the UKOUG, EOUC and IOUC levels and I work directly
with Steve Miranda who heads Fusion Applications development. This culminated
in the Fusion Program at the TEBS conference in December.
I believe Fusion is also
about the integration of the users and have embraced all the new communities
that have come through Oracle acquisition and who are now all part of the
Oracle Community. But I am also an EBS user and consultant and work closely
with Cliff Godwin their General Manager. My role within Fujitsu has moved into
Business Intelligence and Strategy Planning and again I can bring these skills
to the board.
I am a prolific speaker and am honoured to be
asked to speak around the world at various user groups and thank the Oracle ACE
Director program that makes this possible.
I firmly believe that every
member, however small, needs the contact with Oracle that larger organisations
and partners have. This can only be done by working together, to form a big enough
voice. I also believe that together we can help each other. As a user and
partner and having worked in technology and application areas I am able to
appreciate the needs of the entire Oracle community.
In 2008 I was named the
Oracle Magazine User Group Evangelist of the Year.
I
hope I have demonstrated my passion and commitment in my service to date and
that this is rewarded by your Vote.
Candidate: Ronan Miles
Director ICT Collaboration Platform BTID BT
Experience using
Oracle products:
I am primarily a manager but have strong
technical abilities and an understanding of a broad range of Oracle
technologies and product.
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
Acted as Chairman of the UKOUG for the past
12 year. Currently have roles in the EMEA Oracle User Group Council and the
Global 'International Oracle User Group Council'. Historically - held Financial
Directorship of the EOUG and owned Pricing & Licensing for the IOUC. During my tenure as Chair, the number of
events has grown circa 5 fold. Number of delegates has grown commensurately. A
significant number of new communities have been welcomed into the UKOUG. UKOUG
is now recognised as a world player into Oracle and UKOUG input has been seen
to have direct effect upon Oracle action and policy.
I am a :
End User
IT Management
Community
representation:
Oracle Technology
Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)
IT Management
Board skills:
30+ years experience of IT. 20+ years
experience of Oracle. 15+ years experience of the UKOUG and 12+ years of
experience of Chairing the Board.
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
Improve the internal operation of UKOUG and
broaden the range of service offerings to cater for the explosive growth in
demand that will occur when Oracle completes the Sun acquisition which will
bring Java, Solaris / Sun hardware - and probably MySQL also - into the UK
Oracle community.
Manifesto:
If re-elected to the board - and hopefully
re-elected as Chairman, my drive will be ensure that the UKOUG continues its
policy of inclusion allowing all those communities that come into the Oracle
fold to be represented as a combined voice into Oracle and into the
industry. I will ensure that the
relationship between the User Group and other parties - such as Oracle and
other User Groups - progresses to the benefit of members. I will look to ensure that the UKOUG makes
the 'right decisions' for its members and that users who invest into Oracle
technology obtain the best return they can from it whilst 3rd parties who
provide service to users strive to offer the best levels of service they
can. I would want to ensure that Fusion
is clear and that each member can make the correct choice for their
circumstances and continue to obtain the best possible benefit. I will pursue the introduction of new services
growing member benefits and recognising the diversification of interests in the
broad Oracle community. In short - I am
appealing for your vote so that I can continue to ensure that UKOUG provides
the best service it can for you and your fellow members.
Candidate: Anne Power
E-Business Lead Consultant Thales
Information Systems
Experience using
Oracle products:
I have 10 years of using Oracle applications up
to 11.5.10 but training in R12
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
I have been actively involved with the UKOUG
for 12 years, supporting the committee and users within the Supply Chain &
Manufacturing SIG for 5 years and a Director for 4 years.
I am a :
End User
Consultant IT Management
Community
representation:
EBusiness Suite
IT Management
Board skills:
An Oracle applications expert but working
very closely with the business users to design new processes leading to
efficient working practices. Many years in Manufacturing & engineering
management allow me to instinctively understand business needs and gain users
respect.
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
To continue the focus on strategy based
decisions to add to the service provided to members
Manifesto:
I am committed to the UKOUG. I have been a
Director of the UKOUG for the last 4 years with special responsibilities for
UKOUG staff HR and supporting the Applications communities. I would like very
much to continue my work helping to shape the company for the future through my
relationship with the staff, management and fellow Board members to help make
new ideas become a reality for the benefit of our members. I have been a supporter of the UKOUG since
1998 and I promote the UKOUG relentlessly within my company (all business
entities I deal with on a regular basis) and within my external customers.
Where possible I support the Applications SIG’s to assist them in supporting
their own delegates to ensure they reap the benefits of their own memberships
and to ensure their concerns and problems are addressed. I also enjoy assisting
in any way possible with the running and organization of the Technical &
E-Business Suite UKOUG Conference, part of the conference series, chairing many
sessions, holding focus groups and hosting the first appearance in 2009 of the
Willow Table (a question/answer/problem solving session for the Oracle
Applications users) I am the
E-Business Lead Consultant within Thales Security, Solutions & Services, part
of the Thales Group, a worldwide business employing 65,000 people in aerospace,
training and simulation, communications and high technology products within the
civil and defence markets.
I am responsible for the Continuing
Professional Development Programme for UK E-Business consulting staff providing
services to customers in all market segments.
I have a wide experience of international business and of senior
management roles within Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain domains. I
have been in IT management for 17 years, using Oracle Applications for the last
10 years. My reputation as an Oracle
Applications expert is well appreciated on the national and international
stage: I have presented papers at numerous local and regional conferences, including
Sydney and Amsterdam. I have responsibility
both for large-scale Oracle e-business implementation programmes and the
delivery of complex or high profile projects, currently responsible in the UK
for the user training of business processes and system within the Thales Oracle
global core solution resulting from the convergence of all Thales divisions in
the UK, Holland, Spain and France.
As I director I bring energy,
dedication and knowledge as an active business user and applications expert: As
a UKOUG Director the most important attributes I will contribute are absolute
enthusiasm for the benefits the UKOUG can bring to all its members and the
continued improvement of those, an unending supply of energy and a knowledge of
business processes gained through many years working with users both as a
customer and supplier.
Candidate: Peter Robson
Consultant (Technical Database Author, Speaker
& Conference Organiser) British Geological Survey
Experience using
Oracle products:
- I have been using a variety of Oracle tools
since early 1980's, starting with version 5. Am using current technology today.
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
- long-time member and supporter of the
UKOUG - a director since 2003 - served on management committee as
membership director - introduced the
Bronze membership scheme - member of the
Scottish UKOUG committee since 2003 -
supported several SIGs and UKOUG Conferences as a speaker - presented at several international user
group conferences
I am a :
End User
Consultant technical author
Community
representation:
Oracle Technology
Scottish Users
Board skills:
- Experience of having worked on the Board
for several years - Experience of
having worked closely with the UK and international user community over many
years - Strong analytical and diplomatic
skills - Very experienced public speaker - Strong written communication skills - Organisational skills in setting up and
running my own database seminars and meetings
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
Extending the range and type of our user
meetings: As a result of recent Oracle
acquisitions, our potential user community continues to grow. But most
significantly, this will include parts of the open source community. I want to
push forward with additional meetings that will appeal to this community, but
without the costs that currently apply to our conventional 'sigs'. We need to
explore alternative meeting-types. Proposals that I have already made to the Board
along these lines have been positively received, now is the time to put them
into action.
Manifesto:
-Worked in IT, specialising in database,
since 1977 -An Oracle practitioner since
1983 -Database 'champion' in the British
Geological survey; wide experience at technical and strategic levels. The Oracle world has expanded almost beyond
recognition over the last few years, and with it, an increase in the different
user communities that we must serve. Coupled with the current recession, this
has seen quite severe strains on our User Group, financially and
organisationally, on both our office staff, and on our directors.
It is my conviction that we can weather these strains and emerge a stronger and even more resilient User Group. But we have to change in response to the varying demands of our user community. In particular, we need to address the needs of the open source community (cf MySQL etc), whose concept of value for money is different from that of the corporate Oracle licence holder. Can these disparate requirements co-exist in the same User Group? Undoubtedly, but we must plan carefully for this evolutionary change to meet these differing needs.
I introduced the Bronze membership rate to UKOUG, thus providing a means whereby the non-corporate individual (the contractor or sole trader) could join us. This has proved to be a success, due entirely to the benefits that we are able to offer even the lowest category of membership. We need to push this model further, to widen our membership, and provide an entire spectrum of facilities and benefits for an increasingly diverse user community.
Living in Scotland, I have been able to serve on the Scottish UKOUG committee for several years, in particular representing the distinct requirements of the Scottish community at Board level. These differences are going to enable the Board to make those changes to embrace the diversity of new communities that we must attract.
Although nominally 'retired', I still spend a lot of time on Oracle matters, with a special interest in SQL. As well as UKOUG business, I undertake conference presentations at several of the European user group meetings. This provides me with an excellent opportunity to see how other User Groups operate, and thus to feed fresh ideas into our Board meetings. Many of these groups operate on a much lower income than the UKOUG, and yet still organise excellent meetings. We need to learn from their experience, wherever it can help us.
I
continue to organise seminars and meetings across Europe and the UK for Chris
Date, the world renowned relational database 'guru'. This activity is quite
distinct from my UKOUG responsibilities.
I do hope that I can rely on your vote in the forthcoming Board
elections - your support would be much appreciated.
Candidate: Graham Spicer
C E O SolStonePlus
Experience using
Oracle products:
All products sold from the Oracle Technology
price list, together with all BI products including EPM, Hyperion and BI
Applications
My involvement with
the Oracle community:
Presented at SIGS, UKOUG Conferences, other
independent conferences, active member of the UKOUG Partner Forum, CEO of
SolStonePlus leading supporter and sponsor of UKOUG events since 1996
I am a :
CEO of Value Added Reseller and Consultancy
Community
representation:
Oracle Technology
Oracle Middleware (inc BEA)
Hyperion
IT Management
Board skills:
I have owned/managed an Oracle Value Added
Reseller and Consultancy company for more than 26 years, and have been involved
in the IT Sector, predominantly Business Intelligence, for more than 30
years. I have a strong, deep, knowledge
of many Oracle products. I understand the role the UKOUG has played within the
Oracle community since its conception, but more importantly believe that I can
help the UKOUG move forward and develop its commercial focus to benefit the
changing needs of the community.
Improvements I would
make to UKOUG:
I believe, as do many members and partners,
that the UKOUG Directors need to change their focus from one of technology to
one of commerciality. The UKOUG SIG
Chairs should bring the technology focus that the organisation requires. I also feel that the UKOUG Board would
benefit from my entrepreneurial skills.
Manifesto:
I have worked in the IT sector for more than
30 years and have specialised within the Oracle BI sector since 1995. I have been a company director, of a wide
range of companies - not just IT -, have been a member of the Institute of
Directors since 1987, and have been on the board of governors of various
schools, colleges and sporting associations, I believe these qualify me to
become a director of the UKOUG. My main
involvement within the Oracle community is that of a supplier of Oracle solutions
and services. I have also been a
director of companies that use Oracle software.
As a company SolStoneplus has been at the forefront of UKOUG sponsorship
for many years. I can therefore say that
I have a deep understanding of all aspects of the Oracle user community. This understanding of the community and its
current and future requirements together with my entrepreneurial skills are two
of the assets that I can bring to the Board.
I feel that I have sufficient knowledge and experience to represent any
part of the Oracle community, although my present focus would probably be as a
partner.