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IRC Principals and News

oIRC Principals:
| PRINCIPALS | ASSOCIATES | NEWS | PRESENTATIONS |

Mark Goldstein

Mark Goldstein (markg@researchedge.com) is President of International Research Center (IRC), providing consulting, custom research, and strategic support for business, legal and public policy clients across a variety of disciplines and arenas since 1992. IRC concentrates on clients' needs in the complex worlds of telecommunications, information technology, eCommerce, eContent, eLearning, the Internet, biotechnology and other domains by harnessing global information resources for informed decision making. Mark acts as project leader and principal researcher for IRC's wide variety of research and consulting projects.

Mark is a technophile and technology visionary, activist, advisor, and entrepreneur with extensive experience and connections throughout numerous technology sectors. He is involved with a number of policy, economic development, professional and trade groups, as well as being a frequent speaker and trainer. He frequently speaks to business and public groups and consults with government and business enterprises on the fast evolving transition to an information economy and how best to understand and take advantage of this quickly changing environment. In addition, he is in contact with individuals and organizations involved in the telecommunications and other high-tech industry, attends related conferences and works to advance technology deployment, applications innovation, and policy advancement. For more information, see Mark Goldstein's LinkedIn Profile.

Dr. Oris D. Friesen

Dr. Oris D. Friesen (oris@orisfriesen.com) is an independent Information Technology (IT) consultant currently involved with IRC projects dealing with telecommunications, information assurance, software engineering, digital visualization, and learning technologies. He has more than thirty years of experience in the computer industry as an engineer and scientist and serves as adjunct faculty at Arizona State University (ASU) and Mesa Community College (MCC) where he has developed Information Assurance and Bioinformatics curricula. He has recently completed coordinating ATIC's Wi-Fi Security Project for First Responders for the Information Technology and Evaluation Program (ITEP) of the Department of Homeland Security to provide secure wireless broadband (Wi-Fi) in southern Arizona.

Dr. Friesen's professional experience includes ground-breaking work in the areas of database management system design and development for leading edge technologies, human-computer interface design and development, and e-learning. Dr. Friesen is a Member of IEEE and ACM, has served as an officer on several ANSI and ISO standards organizations and technical committees. For more information, please see Dr. Oris Friesen's LinkedIn Profile.

Mike Keeling

Mike Keeling (keeling@cox.com) is is the President and Founder of Data Site Consortium, Inc. with over thirty years of experience in the design, development, and implementation of complex technical programs and their associated funding and regulatory needs. Mike has several areas of accomplishment including multi-vendor broadband networks, fiber-optic backbones, and digital microwave transport systems. He has an excellent integration knowledge required to map from the user applications and service levels to the underlying communication network architectures as well as considerable experience planning and the development of enterprise architectures, which provide a cost-effective basis for delivering enterprise-wide technology based services. Mike has personally directed the design and construction of several hundreds-of-million dollars of computer and communications systems and their related facilities for major computer operations, call centers, and network operating centers. He has organized and presented technical seminars on the subjects of communications networks and media, electrical power, and strategic planning. For more information, please see Mike Keeling's LinkedIn Profile.

oIRC Associates:
| PRINCIPALS | ASSOCIATES | NEWS | PRESENTATIONS |

IRC utilizes outstanding professionals to form experienced and balanced teams with significant expertise and core competencies in all the various crucial areas relevant to project success. Our core associates are:

Raymond (Todd) Blackwood is IT Development Manager for the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, AZ where he is focused on wireless network assessment, security vulnerability testing, and network integration issues. He is also responsible for research and technology implementations for the University, teaches Hardware Hacking and Technology Innovation, lectures on systems thinking and social dynamics.

Richard Z. Gooding, Ph.D. maintains his own strategic planning consultancy, Strategic Advantage, facilitating strategic and operational planning sessions and conducting research and risk assessment projects for public and private organizations. He serves on IRC's project teams leading group facilitation, strategic planning, and primary research activities, as well as focusing on process analysis and design.

Denise Huginnie is a principal in the economic and financial consulting firm of The Economists Group. She has twenty five years of experience in economic and financial analysis, data modeling, business planning and development, and infrastructure planning, primarily in the telecommunications, information, and utility industries. She also has extensive financial management and new business development experience for both government and industry.

Joan Koerber-Walker is Executive Director of CorePurpose, Inc. and CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), bringing expertise in the area of industry best practices in business strategy, market development, channel design/optimization, and supply chain solutions. Joan helps IRC deliver sustainable results by combining the experience, skills and talents within teams to create focused business environments that maximize innovation, growth, profitability and return on investment.

Daryl Mallett is an freelance writer, editor and publisher of books and periodicals, as well as a technology entrepreneur. He performs primary and secondary research, working on business and competitive intelligence, corporate strategy, management consulting and technical writing, mainly in the telecommunications, Internet and e-Commerce arenas.

Abdul Shakir is the President of The conXsis Group, Inc., a professional business consulting network for government, military, and strategic corporate accounts. He is an executive with over 30 years of professional experience providing general business management, program and project management, marketing/business development, sales, and operations services. Mr. Shakir's primary area of focus is the AEC industry, specifically architectural, engineering, and environmental consulting firms.

Nolan Straabe has extensive and diverse experience in management, operations, sales, finance and consulting within the technology, telecommunications, and consulting fields. His Information Technology (IT) experience includes IT management, enterprise architecture, logical security, contract negotiation and vendor management, application system analysis, design implementation, and system conversion, business and scientific system analysis, design and programming, data and PBX communication design and management, network design, management, and computer operations..

oIRC News:
| PRINCIPALS | ASSOCIATES | NEWS | PRESENTATIONS |

Recent News

6/12/07: Mark Goldstein Interviewed on KFHX's Tech Talk
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center was interviewed on KFHX's Tech Talk by Ron Schott of the Arizona Technology Council covering a wide range of high-tech and regional telecom issues from the KFHX studio in Fountain Hills, AZ

5/25/07: Integra Telecom Planning June Rollout in East Valley
The Business Journal of Phoenix by Ty Young (HTML)
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on Integra Telecom's planned competitive DSL offering and competitive choice as well as consolidations reducing the cost to service and support customers

5/11/07: Chicago Telco Heads West with Tempe Purchase
The Business Journal of Phoenix by Ty Young (HTML)
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on Sparkplug Inc., who previously acquired Telespectra, LLC, now aquiring Renaissance Networking Inc. (RNI) as part of a trend of smaller wireless companies partnering with larger providers as their key to survival, upward growth, and access to additional capital that is necessary to compete

5/07: AIIP Conference Session Review - Office Tech Tools and Toys Make Your Job Easier, More Productive, and More Profitable
AIIP Connections (Volume 21, Number 3) by Marie Scheponick (PDF Pages 14-15)
Review of an AIIP Conference session presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center on 4/21/07 in Minneapolis, MN, Article (PDF Pages 14-15), Presentation (14MB PPT), MG Photo, All Conference Photos, Conference Program

3/2/07: Businesses Driving a Rebound in 'Software as a Service'
The Business Journal of Phoenix by Kerry Duff (HTML)
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on the advantages to businesses in renting on-demand software solutions delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS) and how the market will continue to evolve.

1/5/07: Nanotechnology May Give 'Small' Boost to Bioscience Industry
The Business Journal of Phoenix by Ty Young (HTML)
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on the impact of nanotechnology in the telecommunications sector and the advent and impact of WiMAX broadband wireless.

12/25/06: Broadband Logjams: Technology is Devouring Bigger and Bigger Chunks of Bandwidth, Putting Cable Companies to the Test
The Arizona Republic by Mark Shaffer (HTML)
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on the ongoing challenge of providing sufficient bandwidth for evolving consumer and business needs

10/31/06: The Ultimate Online Retailing Guide: Master the Domain Name Game
Forbes by Maureen Farrell (Domain Name Article, Ultimate Online Retailing Guide )
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center comments on the acquisition and use of domain names as part of a branding strategy

Oldies but Goodies

10/4/06: ATIC-CCEC Arizona Corporation Commission Debate
Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC) held an Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Debate moderated by Mark Goldstein, ATIC Secretary and President, International Research Center on 10/4/06 live at the Arizona Corporate Broadcast Center (AZCBC) in Phoenix, AZ and Webcast by Modavox

6/28/06: IRC Principals Successfully Complete ATIC DHS Wireless Grant
ATIC DHS Wi-Fi Security Project for First Responders Project Page

4/22/06: Mark Goldstein Installed as Association of Independent Informtation Professionals (AIIP) Secretary
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center installed as Association of Independent Informtation Professionals (AIIP) Secretary and Board Member for a 3 year term in Coral Gables, FL (Photos)

1/27/06: DigiBarn Computer Museum Interview & Photos - Mark Goldstein's Story
Computer Historical Donations by and Interview of Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center
Bruce Damer's DigiBarn Interview & Photos of Mark Goldstein's Story (1970s-2000s) in Boulder Creek, CA

8/15/05: IRC and SPC Develop IDA eLearning Research Portal (ELRP) Findings
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center led a Strategic Planning Consultants (SPC) team developing eLearning Research Portal (ELRP) Findings for the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) in Alexandria, VA

6/30/03: Cox Business Services (CBS) Launches Hy-Life Telework Initiative
CBS Press Release on Hy-Life Initiative with Content by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center
    CBS Hy-Life Enterprise Telework Guide 7/03 (2.2MB PDF)

4/18/02: Super Searchers Make It On Their Own: Top Independent Information Professionals Share Their Secrets for Starting and Running a Research Business
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center interviewed at length in
Super Searchers Make It On Their Own by Suzanne Sabroski, Edited by Reva Basch (ISBN: 0910965595)
(ITI Press Release, Free Pint Review, Order at CyberAge Books, Order at Amazon.com)
    Mark Goldstein's Super Searcher Interview Download 4/02 (DOC)

9/27/01: ATIC Launches the Arizona Telecommunications Directory Portal
IRC Press Release (HTML, PDF), ATIC's Arizona Telecommunications Directory (ATD)

2/21/00: State Telecom Council Releases `Smart Building' Study
The Business Journal of Phoenix by J. Craig Anderson (HTML)
Discusses ATIC's release of an IRC study and its recommendations for action by the Arizona Legislature and state's Corporation Commission regarding multi-tenant building telecom access
    ATIC Multi-Tenant Building Telecom Access Study MBTAS 3/00 (HTML, .7MB PDF)

For an Extended List See IRC News Archive

oIRC Presentations and Publications:
| PRINCIPALS | ASSOCIATES | NEWS | PRESENTATIONS |

8/15-17/07: Telecommunications: Evolution, Applications, and Emerging Technologies
Instructor: Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center Advanced Training Class for the University of Arizona South Continuing Education (UASCE) in Sierra Vista, AZ, Class Overview (DOC)

7/18/07: Market Research and Business Intelligence for Entrepreneurs
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center to Stealthmode Partner's FastTrac for Companies to Watch in Phoenix, AZ

6/28/07: Addressing IT Security: How Secure Are You?
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center is a featured speaker at Government Technologies' Addressing IT Security: How Secure Are You? forum along with Chris Cummiskey, Executive Director of GITA & CIO of the State of Arizona, Christopher Pierson of Lewis & Roca, and Todd Sander of the Center for Digital Government in Phoenix, AZ

6/1/07: GAZEL Strategic Research Directions Symposium 2007
The Greater Arizona eLearning Association (GAZEL) produced a Strategic Research Directions Symposium with panelist Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center as a teleconference between Tempe and Tucson, AZ

5/17/07: ATIC-CIAC Arizona Telecom Summit and Online Pre-Sessions
Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) and the Communications Infrastructure Advisory Committee (CIAC) of the Governor’s Council on Innovation & Technology (GCIT) held an Arizona Telecom Summit 2007 - Advanced Telecom and Broadband Deployment in Arizona followed by an After5 Technology Expo & Networking Event in cooperation with the Arizona Technology Council in Mesa, AZ
    5/10/07 - Online Pre-Session 4: Issues and Challenges from the Telecom Providers Perspective Panel moderated by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center

5/2/07: Advances in Wireless Technology, Applications, and Implications
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center to the IEEE Computer Society - Phoenix Chapter in Phoenix, AZ, Presentation, Photos

4/21/07: Office Tech Tools and Toys Update: Make Your Job Easier, More Productive, and More Profitable
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center at the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, Presentation (14MB PPT), Review, Program, MG Photo, All Photos
    4/20/07: Mark Goldstein/IRC co-hosted with Ed Vawter/QD Information Systems a Strategies for Success: Tabletop Tips & Techniques on using technology to give infopros a competitive edge, Photo 1, Photo 2

3/25-27/07: Making Sense of Content Users Project
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center participated in the Making Sense of Content Users Project facilitated by Michael Cheveldave of NuOptiks Consulting at Information Today, Inc.'s Buying & Selling eContent Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, Workshop Results, Photos

2/15/07: ATIC Public Meeting on High-Technology Policy Activities
Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) Public Meeting moderated by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center & ATIC Secretary with Chris Cummiskey, Director of the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA) & State of Arizona CIO, Jeff Hatch-Miller, Chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), Ron Schott, Executive Emeritus, Arizona Technology Council, Chris Pierson of Lewis and Roca, Cory Miller of AeA Arizona, and Ted Kraver of the eLearning System for Arizona's Teachers and Students (eSATS)

2/13-14/07: Wireless Spectrum Overview and Digital Inclusion Panel
Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center presents a Wireless Spectrum Overview and participates in the Digital Inclusion Panel at the Wireless Internet Institute's W2i Digital Cities Convention Tempe in Tempe, AZ, Presentation, Photos

1/24/07: Market Research and Business Intelligence for Entrepreneurs
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center to Stealthmode Partner's FastTrac TechVenture Program in Phoenix, AZ

11/8/06: Preparing a Business Plan: Scoping the Market and Competitive Landscapes
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center at the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, Photos

11/2/06: Low-Cost and No-Cost Taxonomy Tools
Presented by Mark Goldstein, President, International Research Center at Information Today, Inc.'s Taxonomy Boot Camp held in conjunction with Knowledge Management World & Intranets in San Jose, CA, TBC Program, Presentation (Final), Photos

10/4/06: ATIC-CCEC Arizona Corporation Commission Debate
Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC) held an Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Debate moderated by Mark Goldstein, ATIC Secretary and President, International Research Center on 10/4/06 live at the Arizona Corporate Broadcast Center (AZCBC) in Phoenix, AZ and Webcast by Modavox

For an Extended List See IRC Presentations and Publications Archive