About

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 Lead — 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.

Alissa Nivens

Project Manager — Alissa Nivens is the “Project Princess” for Foskett Services! She assists with both the event and content sides of the business. With a background in English and Professional Writing, Alissa brings her strong research, writing, and organizational skills to the company.

Outside of work, Alissa can be found exercising at Orangetheory Fitness, catching a movie with her boyfriend, playing the tuba, or hiking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Alissa works out of the Hudson, Ohio office.

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.

Matt Garvin

Event Coordinator – Matt Garvin is an Event Coordinator and brings five years of event support and logistics experience to Tech Field Day for Gestalt IT. He works closely with delegates, presenters, and his Gestalt IT colleagues to help ensure successful Tech Field Day events

When not at work, Matt is probably playing some sort of game: most commonly board games, video games, or sports. Matt is also a Dad of 3, Cleveland sports enthusiast, and wannabe movie buff. Matt works out of the Hudson, Ohio office.