Blair Bakr
VP of Business Continuity Management, Strategic Sourcing, Real Estate and Workplace Services at Hitachi Vantara

Blair Bakr has led business continuity management (BCM) and a portfolio of workplace service functions at Hitachi Vantara since 2016. Hitachi Vantara is the digital infrastructure and solutions subsidiary of the Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi.

Hitachi Vantara’s BCM group works on global contingency plans to prepare for unforeseen events such as Covid-19. Blair is currently engaged in helping create a plan for what the post-Covid-19 ‘New Normal’ will look like for Hitachi Vantara’s 11,000 employees, and how that will impact the workplace.

Blair’s Strategic Sourcing team works closely with IT to review and procure technology to meet the changing needs of the business. Blair previously worked in leadership positions in other high technology companies, including almost 20 years at Oracle.

Blair’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Engineering from UT Austin and an MBA in Finance from Santa Clara University.

Mariko Misumi
Channel Account Manager for Cisco Meraki, Cisco Systems GK

Mariko Misumi currently works in the Cloud Networking Business at Cisco System in Japan, responsible for nationwide channel strategy and execution for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners. Her experience includes employment at telecommunication giants Nortel and Avaya based in Japan and Australia, and she holds a degree from San Diego State University.

About Cisco Meraki
Cisco Meraki, the industry leader in cloud-managed IT, creates the simplest, most powerful solutions helping everyone from small businesses to global enterprises save time and money. Meraki technology, managed from an intuitive, feature-rich interface, enables organizations to rapidly roll out digital initiatives to stay ahead of business demands. Backed by over 10 years of data and insights, Meraki increases operational efficiency and empowers users to focus on more strategic, mission-critical work. The current portfolio, extensible with open APIs, includes wireless, switching, security, SD-WAN, intelligent network insights, endpoint management, and smart cameras.

For more information, visit www.meraki.com

Takamitsu Ono
Director of Customer Support & Service, Synchronoss

Takamitsu Ono currently serves as Director of Customer Support & Services in Japan region for Synchronoss, U.S. based company who offers software platforms in cloud, messaging, IoT, and other digital content management tools offering Software as a Service model.  His experience includes working in the U.S. and Japan for companies such as Tandy/RadioShack, Nortel, and system integrators.

About Synchronoss
Synchronoss (NASDAQ: SNCR) transforms the way companies create new revenue, reduce costs and delight their subscribers with cloud, messaging and digital products supporting hundreds of millions of subscribers across the globe. Synchronoss’ secure, scalable and groundbreaking new technologies, trusted partnerships and talented people change the way TMT customers grow their business.

For more information visit www.synchronoss.com

Tsuyoshi Ueshima
Deputy Head of Global Photonics Systems Business Unit, Fujitsu
Senior Vice President of Development, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc

Tsuyoshi Ueshima serves as Deputy Head of the Global Photonics Systems Business Unit, Fujitsu and Senior Vice President of Development, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. He is focused on organizational policy and strategy, development, budget, and issues involving organization, communication, and culture. He previously served as Head of Development since 2013.

Ueshima joined Fujitsu in 1985, developing hardware for high-speed and optical communication products. From 1994 to 2003, he served as Director of Hardware Development for Fujitsu Network Communications, and from 2006‒2010 served in the same role for Fujitsu Telecom Europe Limited. He received his BSEE from Yokohama National University in Japan, and his MBA from The Business School at Aston University, in Birmingham, UK.

About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. brings unique digital transformation expertise to communications networks. We provide solutions for communications service providers, network operators and content providers worldwide. By combining best-in-class hardware, software and services with multivendor expertise, we enable cost savings, speed services delivery and improve network performance. Working closely with our customers and ecosystem partners, we design, build, operate and maintain better networks for the connected world.

For more information, visit www.fujitsu.com/us/products/network

Moderator
Grant Ogata
Principal, Domitech Products, LLC
American First Vice President and President-elect, Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Grant Ogata is a seasoned executive with over 35 years in the consumer electronics and retail industry.  Currently serves as Principal of Domitech Products, LLC, Vice President of Golden Mark, Ltd. and Partner for Grow Light Design, LLC specializing in developing and marketing IoT smart home solutions and smart LED lighting products.

His career includes corporate officer positions at Tandy/RadioShack, Arkados, Inc., Powermat, LLC, and Sr. Director at Motorola, Inc. Ogata currently serves as the president of Japan America Society of Dallas Fort Worth and is a member of Southlake Sister City, and Fort Worth Japanese Society