Alvin "Al" Stutz - Avetec's Chief Information Officer

Al Stutz is Avetec's Chief Information Officer and co-leader of its HPC Research Division, the DICE program. Along with Roger Panton, he is responsible for the strategic planning and operations of the DICE program. As Principal Investigator of the DICE program, he is also charged with technology planning and oversight, as well as outreach to companies, government and national research laboratory leaders on topics of joint research interest. Stutz holds both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Computer and Information Science from The Ohio State University.

Roger Panton - DICE Program Executive Director

Roger Panton Executive Director of the DICE Program. Along with Al Stutz, Panton leads Avetec’s HPC Research Division and is charged with leading the strategic direction and operations of the DICE Program. He also serves as an on-site Avetec representative at the Air Force Research Laboratory Department of Defense Shared Resource Center. Before coming to Avetec, Panton served as an engineer in the United States Air Force, and as a strategic and management consultant for The Greentree Group. Panton holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from Wichita State University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton. 

Rick Beam - Senior Systems Analyst

Rick Beam is a Senior Systems Analyst for the DICE Team. In this role, he develops and performs tests on innovative HPC hardware and software and serves as a systems administrator. Before joining the DICE team, Beam worked for Sun Microsystems for 16 years in various capacities, including as a Systems Engineer and as a Data Center Technical Specialist. He holds his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Jonathan Bisdorf - Network/Systems Administrator

Jonathan Bisdorf is the DICE team’s Network/Systems Administrator.  His industry experience of 10 years has made him a results-oriented professional with extensive experience in LAN, WAN and in the Client-Server environment.  He also has proven ability with project definition, project management and implementation.  In the summer of 2010, Jonathan will complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a focus in Organizational Leadership from Urbana University.

Chris Black - Manager and Director of Information Technology (IT)

Chris Black is Avetec’s Manager and Director of Information Technology (IT).  With 15 years experience in the field, he has extensive skills in information security, network design and administration.  Chris also has expertise in PC and hardware configuration, support and troubleshooting as well as system upgrading, project management and implementation.  He has received IT training from New Horizons in Fairborn, Ohio; Business Management Research Associates in Okinawa, Japan and Tri-Service Medical Systems Support Center at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas.  He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from Franklin University.

Ronda Black - Associate Systems Specialist

Ronda Black is an Associate Systems Specialist for the DICE team. She assists in installation of new software, systems maintenance and working with account managers at other DICE sites. Black holds her Associate degree in Network Administration and Technical Systems Support from Clark State Community College and is currently completing coursework to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Franklin University. In addition to her duties at Avetec, Black also serves as a part-time adjunct instructor for Clark State Community College.

Paul Buerger - Senior Systems Administrator

Paul Buerger brings decades of experience in research computing and HPC to the DICE program.  He provides research and planning assistance for the DICE team.  Buerger holds an AB in physics from Villa Madonna College and a PhD in astronomy from The Ohio State University.

Armen Ezekielian - Systems Analyst

Armen Ezekielian is the DICE team's System Administrator.  Ezekielian first became involved with HPC in the early 1990s as a graduate student at The Ohio State University. After obtaining a MS degree, he became a systems developer for The Ohio Supercomputer Center where his primary responsibilities were user support and training, parallel programming and data visualization. Armen ventured into the private sector for a number of years, working as a solution architect for the Massachusetts-based company PTC. While at PTC, Armen used the company's Product Lifecycle Management software, "Windchill" to aid companies in the streamlining of their business processes. Armen returned to academia in 2005 again at The Ohio Supercomputer Center before joining Avetec in October of 2009.

Mike Madero - Digital Design Professional

Mike Madero is the Digital Design Professional for the DICE team and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years. His experience has given him a keen awareness on many aspects of visual communications. After serving in the military, Madero started working in the conventional printing industry and moved into computer graphics. His background in computer graphics led him to work for companies like Barco and AGFA as well as privately for Wenner Media (Rolling Stone), Nike, The Image Bank, Tracey Locke, DDB Needham and The Color Factory. Madero has technical knowledge of the entire end-to-end workflow of digital design, video, pre-press and print production.  His expertise includes graphic design, workflow automation, process improvement, pre-press system management, user training, and support for sales and marketing.

Michelle Parker - Business Development, Research & Special Projects

For the DICE team, Michelle Parker works on program business development, research and special projects.  She has supported the DICE program since its inception and has prior HPC experience from working in the Air Force Research Laboratory, Department of Defense Shared Resource Center.  On the DICE team, she is responsible for strategic planning support, technical research including power and cooling efficiency in data centers, project management and outreach.  With over 25 years of experience in a variety of corporate and federal government environments, Parker offers an effective combination and solid command of business management, technical research, financial and analytical, marketing and client relationship management, communications and organizational skills.  Ms. Parker holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Shannon Schraegle - Web and Applications Administrator

Shannon Schraegle is the DICE team's Web and Applications Administrator.  With over ten years of experience, Schraegle has a strong understanding of web design, application, navigation and current trends in web development. She also has in-depth knowledge of web-servers, backup systems, firewalls, network security considerations and internet technologies.  Schraegle holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Communication Sciences from The Ohio State University.  She also has a Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in Communication Sciences.

Latice Spann - Technical Writer & Editor

Latice Spann is the DICE team's Technical Writer and Editor.  She is responsible for drafting, reviewing and editing technical documents for the DICE team. She also assists in managing web content and in planning conferences and events in which the DICE team participates. Before joining the DICE team, Spann served as the Instructional Communication Coordinator for Avetec's Educational Outreach division. She holds her Bachelor's degree in Technical and Professional Communication from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio.

Tracey Wilson - DICE Program Manager

Tracey Wilson is the DICE Program Manager. He is responsible for planning, implementing and providing strategic direction for the DICE program. Wilson also oversees the integration, growth and sustainment of the environment, and provides technical leadership for the DICE team. He is the Chair of the DICE Technical Advisory Panel, which represents HPC and data professionals from government, industry and academia. Wilson comes to the DICE team as a Systems Integrator and Network Specialist for Computer Sciences Corporation. He holds his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Melanie Wilt - Outreach and Communication

Melanie Wilt consults on outreach and communication as part of the DICE team. She is responsible for helping to communicate about the program to customers, collaborators and the public. Melanie supports the DICE program's Supercomputing and DICE Alliance efforts. She was formerly the Communication Director for Avetec.