Foskett Services creates community and content in the enterprise information technology space.
Our Story
The world of information technology is at a crossroads. Traditional IT systems face disruption not seen since the open systems revolution of the early 1990’s: The rapid adoption of Internet-scale services, the proliferation of a new breed of computing devices like the iPhone, and a wholesale shift in application development approaches threatens the very foundation of IT infrastructure in the enterprise.
Marketing and communication is being transformed by these same forces, with community and person-to-person contact replacing mass media. Social media, user-driven content like blogging and podcasting, and collaborative events like our own Gestalt IT and Tech Field Day have become the new vehicle for corporate communication and marketing.
Foskett Services sits at the crossroads of enterprise IT and media transformation. We organize events, build and support community, foster content creation activities for enterprise IT companies and the end users they wish to reach. But we are also listeners and speakers. We are IT pros who deeply care about technology and walk the walk. We’re not a PR or media company. We’re us.
Stephen Foskett
Organizer in Chief — After spending over a decade providing consulting and analysis services to enterprise IT organizations and infrastructure vendors, Stephen Foskett launched his own services organization to face this wave of change head-on. This group applies core best practices for managing IT systems to the emerging post-PC world.
Stephen can often be found on stage delivering keynote speeches and seminars on enterprise technology. He is also deeply involved in the organizational side of our events, often leading the group in discussions and traveling between presentations. Stephen works out of the Hudson, Ohio office.
Claire Chaplais
Chief Operator — Claire Chaplais has over 20 years experience in business operations, marketing communication programs, and event management for the high tech industry. She worked for great companies like Wind River Systems, StorageTek, Common Sense Media, and Harris Broadcasting. She joined Gestalt IT in 2009 to organize the first ever Tech Field Day event with Stephen Foskett, and from there helped grow the organization. Today, Claire thrives on handling the business operations for Gestalt IT, and motivating the team to develop strong and successful programs both for Field Day events, and content creation efforts.
In her free time, she loves to take advantage of living in Colorado and enjoys hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Tom Hollingsworth
Event Organizer — Tom Hollingsworth writes about networking and related technolgies on his blog at NetworkingNerd.net. With 10 years of experience in the IT field, Tom has covered the bredth of technology from desktop deployment to data center installation. He brings his unique perspective to his writing as well occasionally lending a voice to the Packet Pushers podcast.
Tom is a popular speaker at industry events on the topic of networking and next-generation IT. He also organizes and leads networking events for Foskett Services, including Networking Field Day and our Tech Field Day Extra events at Cisco Live, Intel, ONUG, and more. Tom works out of our Oklahoma office.
Ken Nalbone
Event Organizer — Ken is a 15 year IT veteran many years of experience as a systems administrator/engineer. He currently works as a Solutions Architect for a VAR and Service Provider in the Midwest. He holds too many certifications to list and is a VMUG leader in Indianapolis. Ken has been recognized for his involvement in the tech community by being selected as a vExpert, vExpert vSAN, Nutanix Technology Champion, and Veeam Vanguard.
Rich Stroffolino
Man of Letters — Rich Stroffolino has been involved in media and tech since 2003. A former radio DJ and compulsive podcast creator, Rich is now putting his passion to work creating, organizing and distributing content for Tech Field Day and its sister site, Gestalt IT. He loves getting to know about the latest enterprise technology and finding ways to create engaging narratives around them.
He has strong opinions on sandwich ordering procedures, typeface etiquette, and semiotic constructions. Rich works out of the Hudson, Ohio office.
Alicia Blessing
Content Lead – Alicia has more than 10 years’ experience in the marketing and communications field. She currently serves as the Content Lead for Gestalt IT where she manages and oversee content creation projects for clients as well as Gestalt IT’s marketing efforts.
Prior to joining Gestalt IT, Alicia worked as the Digital Marketing Director for Team NEO, a Cleveland, Ohio-based economic development organization. In this role, Alicia led Team NEO’s digital marketing initiatives with a focus on content marketing and digital lead generation. Alicia also has experience working for a technology-based marketing agency as well as a software startup.
Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ohio University. She is involved with the Cleveland chapter of the Women in Digital group and received her Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) in digital marketing accreditation through the American Marketing Association. In her free time, Alicia enjoys playing tennis and is an active member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Ben Gage
Event Support — Ben Gage has a professional background which started in logistics and supply chain for manufacturing and agriculture. To subsidize the methodical nature of these fields he started and performs with a traveling bluegrass band. With a penchant for the rare combination of the analytical and the creative, the next logical step was the tech industry.
Ben is now focusing his skillset on coordinating the details of our events. This ranges from working with our Delegates, IT Companies and all of the supporting companies that help make our events so great. Ben works out of the Hudson, Ohio office.
Mel Zura
Administrative Assistant — Note taker, meeting organizer, calendar inviter, procedure writer, team member gatherer, question asker (one may lead to a series), coffee drinker, music listener, etc… Mel has supported managers, directors and executives, in the manufacturing, industrial, non-profit, and healthcare industries, but has found her way to the tech world, as our Administrative Assistant! Mel works out of our Hudson office.