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Instructors

Gregg Boer
Sr. Program Manager, Microsoft

With over 21 years experience in the industry, Boer joined the VSTS team in 2006 because of his passion for improving the way software is developed. Prior to joining Microsoft, he has worked as a Project Manager, Program Manager, Requirements Lead, Software Engineer, Analyst and QA Lead. He has led small and medium-to-large (10-15 staff years) software development projects. His experience spans the software development lifecycle with an emphasis on streamlining software development practices, with expertise in software project estimation and management. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) with 12 years of project management experience.

Ynette Gibbs
VP Product Management, PAR3 Communications; Principal, YG Consulting

Gibbs brings over 25 years of high-tech and business management experience. In her role as principal of YG Consulting, Gibbs advises clients on business planning, channel strategy, product development, and marketing strategies for a host of small and startup companies. Gibbs is the former vice president of products, research and development for Who's Calling, located in Kirkland, Wash., where she was responsible for planning, development, and execution of product development strategies. She has worked in various marketing, partner development, product development, and business development capacities for companies such as Avaya, FileNET, Portland General Electric, INTERLINQ, and Frank Russell Company.

Nancy McSharry Jensen
General Manager, Joe Boston Productions

Jensen has 20 years experience in high tech, starting up new products, services and ventures in publishing, market research, product marketing, planning and management. Most recently, she served as the group product manager for SharePoint Portal Server, Windows SharePoint Services, and Microsoft FrontPage at Microsoft Corporation. While at the company, she also worked on Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft BackOffice, and Windows NT. Prior to that, she was director of PC Software research at International Data Corporation in Framingham, Massachusetts and Mountain View, California. Jensen started her career as research editor at Electronic Business magazine in Newton, Massachusetts. She holds a BA in English from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, a graduate certificate in Administration and Global Business Management from the University of Washington's Business School, and is currently pursuing graduate studies in economics and management theory of new ventures.

Linda Merrick
Partner, P5 Group

Merrick has over 20 years of experience leading the product management and marketing functions in software companies, improving product strategy formulation, brand management, business plan development, and product launch activities at companies including Who's Calling, N2H2, Avaya, Captura Software, and WRQ.

Dave Sampson
VP Marketing, Sampa Corp.

Dave Sampson helps bring emerging technologies to market. He has over fifteen years' experience developing market strategies, managing products and building brands for early-stage technology companies. Prior to joining Sampa, Dave led product development and marketing for several startups and established software companies. He holds a BA in Social Philosophy from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Washington.

Don Vendetti
Principal, Product Arts

For over 25 years, Vendetti has been involved in the definition, development, and launch of numerous high-tech products and services. His diverse background encompasses product management, program management, business development, and product development across software, services, and hardware companies. He has served in senior management or executive roles in product management at AT&T Wireless, Visto/ViAir, and Qpass. He is founder and principal of Product Arts consulting and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University and an Executive MBA from the University of Washington.

Instructors are subject to change.