Schedule: TechServe Executive Summit 2025

Society for Information Management Golf Tournament

Hosted at the The Rookery at Marco.
Participation is Only Open to Sponsors of the 2025 SIM TechExec

Start your TechServe Executive Summit on the fairways of JW Marriott Marco Island’s championship course with our friends from SIM. Enjoy stunning views, friendly competition, and valuable networking in a relaxed setting—with prizes for top play.

Limited spots available - contact staff@techservealliance.org if interested in sponsoring.

TechServe Workshops

Strategic Hustle: Leading with Focus, Calm & Conviction

Facilitated by: Jenifer Higgins, Vice President, Rising, ClearEdge

The IT staffing industry moves fast—and so do the demands on its emerging leaders. Success today requires more than hustle; it takes strategic thinking, calm under pressure, and the ability to set healthy boundaries that fuel performance and prevent burnout.

In this 2.5 hour in-person workshop, participants will develop three essential leadership capabilities:

Strategic Mindset – how to think beyond the task at hand and focus on what drives sustainable growth
Pressure Resilience – how to stay grounded and make smart decisions, even in high-stakes moments
Boundary Setting – how to lead effectively without losing yourself in the chaos

Designed for rising leaders eager to succeed in their current roles and prepare for what’s next, this session offers practical tools, real-world insights, and the chance to learn with and from peers across the industry. You'll walk away with a forward-focused mindset, renewed energy, and the confidence to lead with greater influence—driving both team performance and organizational impact.

** Must register in advance (additional fee - $200). Must be registered for the Executive Summit to attend the workshop.

** This workshop is a bonus workshop (no additional fee) for those already participating in The Leadership Essentials Training and attending the Executive Summit.

Is this the Right Time to Sell? Unpacking the M&A Landscape with the TechServe M&A Index

Facilitated by:

Steve Norris, Consultant, TechServe M&A Marketplace
John Larson, Lead Consultant, TechServe M&A Marketplace

Curious about the value of your company and whether now is the right time to sell? This in-depth 3-hour workshop offers insights based on real-world transactions involving over 45 sellers and more than 100 buyers in the IT and Engineering Staffing industry. This workshop will explore crucial topics such as how to prepare your company for buyer scrutiny and why waiting for "the perfect time" may come with significant costs.

Led by TechServe’s M&A Marketplace experts, this session will equip you with tangible nuggets of information helping you decide the best time to exit for you, your family, and your business. Attendees will walk away with actionable takeaways, including:

The TechServe M&A Index, a scorecard showing how your company stacks up.
The top 7 "must-haves" from Marketplace Buyers.
An inside look at today's market multiples.
Insights on post-election impacts and what they mean for selling or buying a company.

** Advance Registration is Required (additional fee - $200)

AI Executive Leadership

Facilitated by: Lauren Jones, Founder & CEO, Leap Advisory Partners

Transform your organization's AI potential into a competitive advantage with Leap Advisory Partners' comprehensive AI Strategy Executive Workshop. Designed exclusively for C-suite executives and senior leaders, this intensive session guides you through a proven framework from organizational readiness assessment to implementation roadmap. You'll walk away with a personalized AI strategy, clear capability requirements, actionable implementation plans, and ROI measurement frameworks—everything needed to confidently lead your organization's AI transformation. Our expert-led workshop combines strategic planning with practical tools, ensuring you leave with not just knowledge, but a concrete path forward that aligns AI initiatives with your business objectives and delivers measurable results.

** Advance Registration is Required (additional fee - $200)

Speed Networking with SIM Technology Leaders, Staffing firm executives & Sponsors

The perfect event to kick off your 2025 TechServe Alliance Executive Summit!

Hosted by: Monica Dominic, Chief Client Officer, Proteam Solutions Inc.

The 2025 Technology Leaders Speed Networking session is a dynamic event that brings together attendees of the TechServe Alliance Executive Summit for targeted networking opportunities. A pre event survey about business interests and needs will match attendees with others that meet their business profile. Participants will switch tables throughout the networking event allowing them to expand their professional network in a casual and fun atmosphere.

Invited participants will include IT & Engineering Staffing leaders, SIM Technology leaders & suppliers of IT & Engineering products & services.

Advance registration is required. No additional fee.

Morning Networking Walk

Start your day with coffee, conversation, and connections.

Join the teams from TechServe Alliance and Leap Advisory Partners for a casual networking walk along the Marco Island beach. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning attendee, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the morning sun, sip your favorite latte or tea, and get to know your fellow participants.

Hosts:

Lauren Jones, Founder & CEO, Leap Advisory Partners
Robert Mann, VP of Sales, Leap Advisory Partners

Sponsored by:

TechServe Executive Summit & SIM TechExec Opening Keynote

Leading from the Epicenter

DeMaurice Smith - Former Executive Director, National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) & Author of Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game

DeMaurice Smith, the longtime Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, brings a masterclass in leadership to the stage. With a track record that includes orchestrating landmark collective bargaining agreements, championing health and safety reforms, and boosting player benefits across the board, Smith shares the strategies that guided him through the toughest negotiations in sports. His narrative isn’t just about deals—it’s about courageous, inclusive leadership in high-pressure environments.

In this talk, Smith blends personal storytelling with strategic insights, offering audiences concrete tools to navigate complexity with integrity and vision. Whether you're leading teams through disruption or forging meaningful change across industries, Smith’s talk empowers leaders to stand firm on values while adapting with agility. Expect to walk away motivated—armed with fresh perspectives on resilient leadership, stakeholder alignment, and the power of advocacy to spur progress and trust.

Sponsored by

TechServe Executive Summit Poker Run: Build Your Best Hand While Discovering Our Sponsors

Join us for a fast-paced, high-energy networking experience where everyone’s a winner. Staffing firms will have the chance to build their best 5-card poker hand by visiting sponsor tables, making connections, and having fun along the way!

As you move between bistro tables, you’ll not only collect cards but also learn about the innovative products, services, and solutions our Summit and TechExec Sponsors offer. The more connections you make, the stronger your hand… and the greater your chances to win big!

Don’t miss this lively, interactive event that combines networking, sponsor insights, and a little friendly competition.

Large Firm Forum

By Invite Only

Facilitated by: Kip Wright - Founder & CEO, Wright Path Advisors, former Chairman & CEO, INSPYR Solutions & President-Elect, Board of Directors, TechServe Alliance

The Large Firm Forum is specifically designed for executives of large technology staffing and solutions firms. A unique opportunity to engage with leaders of other large firms in an interactive facilitated discussion. Hear how others are responding to the opportunities and challenges presented by a dynamic market. Networking will continue during lunch.

Limited to Executives of Firms with Annual Revenue of $100 Million or More.

Contact staff@techservealliance.org if interested in attending.

Breakout Sessions for Technology Staffing Firms

Leveraging AI in Sales: Effective Strategies and Tools for IT Staffing Firms

In the high-stakes world of IT staffing, AI sales tools are beginning to transform how firms find, engage, and retain clients. And sales professionals need strategies that harness AI’s power without getting lost in the hype of ever-changing tech.

In this session, leading industry consultants who specialize on the staffing firm technology will deliver a roadmap for integrating AI tools that boost sales effectiveness in a tried and tested manner. From intelligent prospecting to personalized email campaigns that prioritize high-value prospects and streamline outreach, our experts will reveal a thoughtful approach on how to use AI to amplify human connection and streamline workflows—ensuring your firm stays ahead without chasing the latest fad.

Moderator: Lauren Jones, Founder & CEO, Leap Advisory Partners

Panelists:

Tim Glennie, Managing Partner, Bridgeview, and At-Large Director, BoD, TechServe Alliance

Staying Profitable: IT Staffing Firm Optimization In a Competitive Marketplace

Margin pressure is mounting—from rising talent costs and client demands for discounts to longer sales cycles, shrinking markups, and aggressive competition. For IT staffing and solutions firms, staying profitable requires more than just tightening belts—it demands smarter, scalable, and data-informed strategies.

In this session, Sean Gilligan, TechServe Alliance’s IT Staffing Executive-in-Residence, will lead the discussion on strategies successful firms are using to manage costs, improve efficiency, and increase profitability—without compromising client satisfaction or delivery quality. Whether you’re an early-stage firm running lean or a mid-market player investing in automation and AI, this session will provide real-world insights into what works, what doesn’t.

Moderator: Sean Gilligan, Staffing Firm Executive in Residence, TechServe Alliance

Panelists:

Tom Nunn, Business Consultant, Tom Nunn Consulting
Steve Norris, Managing Director, TechServe 360
Michael Allen, Founder & Principal Consultant, Data Minds Optimization

The Legal & Regulatory Landscape: A Practical Approach to Balancing Compliance Obligations, Risk and Profitability

As IT staffing firms head into 2026, the legal landscape is fraught with challenges driven by long-standing compliance obligations as well as dramatic shifts in public policy. From heightened federal enforcement of immigration laws, the rapid proliferation of state-by-state pay transparency laws, the erosion of enforceable non-compete agreements, conflicting DE&I directives to the confusion around the permissible use of Artificial Intelligence in recruiting, staffing firm leaders are confronting an increasingly complex and difficult to navigate legal landscape. This expert panel of attorneys will cut through the complexity, offering practical guidance on how to address these issues while minimizing the adverse impact on profitability.

More content in development. Please check back again.

Breakout Sessions for Technology Staffing Firms

Old School Meets New School: Blending Relationship-Driven Sales with AI

The IT staffing landscape is at an inflection point. While overall industry revenue growth has stalled, some companies with high performing sales teams consistently outperform the market. While the ability to build and maintain client relationships remains at the core of successful sales organizations, the introduction of new AI tools holds great promise to deliver even better results.

In this panel discussion, we will bring together firm leaders who have married the ‘tried and true’ relationship-driven sales approach with the latest tech. Learn what has worked (and what has not) and how firms have supercharged their sales efforts by leveraging AI.

Moderator: Chris Mader, Founder & CEO, MTA Consultancy

Panelists:

Megan McCann, CEO & Founder, McCann Partners and At-Large Director, BoD, TechServe Alliance
Brad Rosen, Founder, StivePath Partners

Next-Gen Recruiter – Redefining the Role in the Era of AI and Automation

AI and automation are rewriting the recruiter’s job description. Hear experts unpack what’s real in AI right now as they highlight several of the newest tools for sourcing, engagement, and screening. The panel will also offer their views the future of talent acquisition technology— what elements of the recruiter’s role will be automated and is likely to stay with the recruiters given their uniquely human capabilities. Walk away with a clear view of emerging technologies and the required competencies of the successful next-gen recruiter.

Moderator: Pete Newsome, Founding President, 4 Corner Resources

Panelists:

Marcelo Amiano, Co-Founder & CEO, NewCombin

From DOGE to Opportunity: Thriving in a Shifting Federal Landscape

Doing business with the federal government has always required adaptability, and today’s environment has introduced new dynamics that executives must understand to succeed. The creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), coupled with a wave of federal worker retirements, is reshaping how agencies operate, procure services, and partner with the private sector. This interactive breakout will begin with an overview of the past year—highlighting key developments, policy shifts, unexpected challenges and emerging opportunities impacting IT and Engineering staffing firms.

We will follow with an open conversation with fellow executives. Together, we will explore best practices for engaging with federal agencies, discuss practical steps firms should take to strengthen their positioning, and consider other avenues for growth—such as pursuing opportunities with state governments and alternative public-sector business models

Co-Presenters: Threase Baker, President, Abbtech & Theresa Zandi, Principal, Centurion Consulting Group

The Alphabet Soup: EOR, AOR, PEO or ASO—What’s Right for Your Firm’s Growth Strategy?

For IT staffing firms that want to focus on growth, placing talent in a dozen or more states and potentially foreign countries requires dealing with a frustrating reality: a mountain of administrative, legal, and compliance hurdles and risks. A solution lies in partnering with an outsourced provider who will handle these mundane but important back-office tasks. But with an "alphabet soup" of choices—EOR, AOR, ASO, and PEO—which is the best option for your business? It is a critical decision that directly impacts your firm's scalability and profitability.

This panel will demystify the differences among these business models. We will explore the critical factors every small and mid-size firm must consider before committing to a partner, from long-term growth objectives to the specific makeup of your contingent workforce. This session is designed to transform your back-office strategy from a burden into a competitive advantage, supporting accelerated growth and improved profitability.

Moderator: Steve Norris, Managing Director, TechServe 360

Panelists:

John Bemis, President, Benchmark IT, and At-Large Director, BoD, TechServe Alliance
Paul Mehring, President & Chief Lending Officer, Access Capital
Susan Robinson, Owner & Chief Technology Connector, Tech Talent Link

More content in development. Please check back again.

General Session - TechServe Executive Summit

Navigating the Crossroads: Scaling the IT Staffing Firm of the Future

The IT staffing industry is at a defining moment. After two years of stalled growth, leaders are not merely asking when growth will return, but how their firm must evolve to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.

With the landscape being reshaped by technology and shifting client expectations, our panel of industry visionaries will share their thoughts on the characteristics of the successful IT staffing firm of the future.

Moderator: Bruce Morton, Founder, Bruce Morton Consulting

Panelists:

Lori Miller, President, Swoon
Pat Patel, Founder, East Bay Ventures
Mike Small, US Country President, the Adecco Group & President, Akkodis North America

TechServe Executive Summit & SIM TechExec Keynote

Recoding Business: The New Logic For Winning In The AI Era

Vijay Gurbaxani - Taco Bell Endowed Chair of Technology Management; Professor of Information Systems, Director, Center for Digital Transformation, University of California, Irvine

We are entering a new era where artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of business. AI is not just another technology—it is a force that will redefine industries, reshape work, and recast the role of leadership itself. In this talk, Vijay Gurbaxani explores the opportunities and risks of this transformation, drawing on striking examples of how AI is already reshaping companies and society. He challenges leaders to think differently about value, competitiveness, and the choices that will determine whether their organizations thrive or fall behind. This is a moment of extraordinary promise—and peril. The decisions executives make today will shape the future.

Breakout Sessions for Technology Staffing Firms

Embracing the AI Advantage: Building Strong Tech Stacks on Data Integrity

A strong technology stack is only as effective as its foundation—and today, that foundation is data integrity supported by AI. This session examines how innovative staffing firms are applying AI to streamline recruiting, refresh candidate pipelines, and achieve measurable efficiencies. We will explore a real-world case study illustrating how one firm - SSI - integrated AI-driven tools to strengthen its tech stack and support strategic goals. You’ll also gain insight into emerging trends and the paradigm shifts shaping the future of AI adoption in staffing, along with practical considerations for creating a scalable, future-ready organization.

Moderator: Sean Gilligan, IT Staffing Executive- in-Residence, TechServe Alliance

Panelists:

Liran Kotzer, CEO & Co-Founder, WOO
Manny Vidal, EVP Strategy & Development, SSI

Breaking Down the Silos: Unlocking Business Growth through Sales, Marketing and Technology Alignment

Sales and marketing are often powerful yet disconnected teams—working toward the same goals but in silos that create inefficiencies, misaligned messaging, and lost opportunities. Add in underutilized technology, and the divide only grows. In this session, Leslie Vickrey, CEO of ClearEdge, and Lesly Cardec, CMO of ClearEdge and SVP of ClearEdge Recruiting, will share why aligning sales, marketing, and technology is no longer optional but essential. They’ll explore how today’s buyer’s journey demands cross-functional collaboration and provide actionable strategies to synchronize messaging, leverage technology, and drive measurable growth.

Featuring a real-world case study from Dexian’s leadership team—Kip Havel, CMO, and Geoff Gray, Chief Customer Relationship Officer—attendees will hear how Dexian broke down silos, built alignment, and delivered stronger results across sales, marketing, and technology. Walk away with practical insights to foster collaboration, enhance the buyer experience, and accelerate growth—because when sales, marketing, and technology align, businesses don’t just succeed, they shine.

Moderator: Leslie Vickrey, CEO & Founder, ClearEdge

Panelists:

Lesly Cardec, CMO, ClearEdge
Geoff Gray, Chief Customer Relationships Officer, Dexian
Kip Havel, CMO, Dexian

Future-Proofing Your Company: Diversifying Your Lines of Business

As we approach 2026, IT staffing firms face increasing pressure as technology advances and evolving client expectations accelerate the commoditization of traditional staff augmentation. Yet within this changing landscape lies significant opportunity. The firms that will succeed aren’t just placing talent—they’re leveraging market intelligence, trusted client relationships, and deep talent networks to unlock long-overlooked value.

In this session, Kip Wright will share how leading firms are future-proofing their businesses through innovation, diversification, and strategic positioning. From consultative selling rooted in industry expertise to building niche talent pipelines, expanding managed services, and incorporating Statement of Work (SOW) solutions, attendees will gain practical insights to move beyond being a vendor and become a trusted strategic partner to their clients.

Presenter: Kip Wright, Founder & CEO, WrightPath Advisory, and President-Elect, BoD, TechServe Alliance

More content in development. Please check back again.

TechServe Executive Summit & SIM TechExec General Session

The IT Workforce of 2026 and Beyond: Meeting the Needs of Enterprise Amid the AI Revolution

Technology is undergoing a seismic shift. Enterprises, fueled by the rapid adoption of AI, automation, and cloud technologies, are rethinking their workforce strategies and the skills required to move their businesses forward. Industry data underscores this transformation: demand is soaring for AI and machine learning specialists, prompt engineers, cloud architects, DevSecOps professionals, cybersecurity experts, and data storytellers who can translate complex analytics into actionable business insights.

Big questions remain: Where will the talent come from? How should IT teams be structured and staffed? And how critical will human-centric capabilities—emotional intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, adaptability—be to the IT professional of the future? Join a panel of IT leaders and solution providers who will share their perspective on the roles, competencies, and staffing models enterprises will need next.

Moderator: Joel Leege, President & COO, Red Oak Technologies, and President, BoD, TechServe Alliance

Panelists:

Graig Paglieri, CEO, Randstad Digital
Michelle Sims, CEO, YUPRO Placement

TechServe Executive Summit General Session

What Buyers Really Want: Inside the Decision-Making Process of Selecting IT Staffing Partners

In a crowded and competitive IT staffing market, what actually influences buyer decision-making? What makes one firm stand out over another?

In this candid panel discussion, you’ll hear directly from IT staffing buyers with different perspectives—from procurement to technology leaders—who will share what matters most when selecting and managing staffing partners. They’ll discuss key expectations around speed, quality, pricing, compliance, and value-add services, as well as how trust and transparency factor into long-term relationships.

This panel will explore what increasing client expectations mean for IT staffing firms—and how they should adapt their approach to move beyond being a vendor to becoming a trusted advisor.

Moderator: Anna Frazzetto, CEO, AFM Strategic Partners, and At-Large Director, BoD, TechServe Alliance