ITAG is driven by local employers and volunteers from across the tech community.
Lisa Van Ess
Director, People Experience
Ambit Inc.
Lisa Van Ess is a dynamic human resources executive with a proven track record of helping businesses evolve and excel through the acquisition, engagement, and development of talented employees. She has led people & culture, recruiting, HR and training organizations for over 20 years for companies within the Management Consulting, IT, Financial Services and Life Sciences industries and is an ally and champion for DE&I.
As Ambit’s Director – People Experience, she is responsible for designing and executing impactful talent and people strategies and leading the team responsible for delivering an exceptional candidate and employee experience . She believes that in today’s environment, all companies are technology companies and is excited to support the education and understanding of IT through ITAG.
Vice Chair – Greg Black
Enterprise Sales Director
OSF Digital
Greg Black started his career working for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) where he helped clients with Network and Data Center design. His career transitioned several years ago into working within the software industry. His experience includes being a consultant for a boutique PA firm to time at IBM where he worked in cyber security and SaaS cloud technologies. At OSF Digital, Greg works extensively with existing Enterprise clients to maximize the client’s Salesforce journey and to champion their joint relationship. Greg brings over 15 years of technology consulting experience to ITAG.
Liam Dempsey
Director + Designer
LBDesign
A communications designer and marketing consultant, Liam Dempsey owns and directs LBDesign, a small international marketing and design consultancy. Through LBDesign, Liam collaborates with businesses and non-profits to deliver communications solutions online and in print. An active member of ITAG since 2017, Liam serves as the Outreach & Marketing Committee Chair of the ITAG Board.
Over the course of two decades in marketing, Liam has developed a reputation for bringing structure, consistency, and vibrancy to his clients’ marketing effort. He works across industries and continents to ensure that marketing efforts are audience-specific, on time, and within budget.
Liam is committed to working with people eager to make the world a better place. He guides LBDesign to work in a collaborative, open, and candid with a wide range of clients. His client list includes a mix of large and small business and non-profits in the US, UK, and beyond: RWE npower, Adaptimmune, Unilife, the City of London, Network for Africa, Magic Hat Consulting, Genocide Survivors Foundation, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Fans for the Cure, Wokwicz Law Offices, Capacity Group and more. Liam has a proven track record in supporting academic institutions such as University College (Oxford), The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and the Skandalaris Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis.
An experienced public speaker, Liam regularly presents about online marketing, social media, web design, WordPress and related topics.
Matthew Fischel
Director, Technology Solutions Engagement – Pharma Commercial
Johnson & Johnson
Matt Fischel is the Director, Technology Solutions Engagement – Pharma Commercial within the Strategy and Operations organization at J&J. Matt is the single point of accountability for Pharma Commercial. He has more than 23 years of experience leading and partnering with business technology leaders where he has delivered future-ready capabilities.
Matt has held other roles at J&J where he was accountable for driving matrixed global teams within Supply Chain Manufacturing, Labs and Logistics where he established lean/agile delivery capabilities, led major transformations, and delivered future-ready technology platforms. He also held various roles within Medical Devices where he ran the PMO, led several major commercial technology programs and led one of the largest J&J acquisition integrations.
For twelve years prior to Johnson & Johnson, Matt held several management and technology consulting roles where he focused on connecting business strategies with IT delivery, enabling IT capabilities and spearheading large programs.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University, has a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Erik Gudmundson
VP of Business Development
Pegasus Technologies
Erik Gudmundson is an experienced leader in the field of IT service delivery. Starting work at a local Internet Service Provider and supporting users of university computer networks as the general public began using the Internet for the first time in the 1990s, Erik gained deep insight into the possibilities and perils organizations face in today’s world of ubiquitous computing. Today Erik is responsible for designing, proposing, implementing, and supporting cloud, on-premise, and hybrid IT solutions in computer-dependent business environments. As a trusted adviser to his clients, he communicates solutions and pitfalls/workarounds effectively. His experience building and maintaining teams of 20 personnel makes him a seasoned manager.
Erik is regularly acclaimed for the practical approach he uses to explain complex issues to both technical and non-technical audiences, and has been a featured speaker at several tech and business events. He enjoys finding the root of a problem while maintaining a calm demeanor and showing empathy. Erik holds a degree in Computer Science from Millersville University and passionately studies the latest technologies and issues facing the world of information technology.
Erik serves the community as a board member of the Chester County Community Foundation, the Chester County Workforce Development Board, the Technology Forum of Delaware, and the Innovative Technology Action Group of the Chester County Economic Development Council. He is the former chair of ITAG and the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys talking with organizations about cybersecurity strategy and how technology can maximize efficiency. Erik is focused on improving experiences, while always paying attention to strategic and tactical requirements as well as long- and short-term goals.
Jim Lauckner
President
J*Lis Management Consulting
Jim Lauckner, President of J*Lis Management Consulting, a firm that specializes in Recruiting, Hiring and Retention Process Improvement, has been involved with ITAG for more than 20 years. While working for an IT Consulting firm he chaired the membership committee and eventually became Co-Chair of ITAG along with Diana Kimmich. He then moved into the role as ITAG Chair for another three years. Following his term as Immediate Past Chair, he was hired by the CCEDC to be ITAG’s Project Manager and interface between the Workforce Development Boards and the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry.
Jim continues to serve the Innovative Technology Action Group as a volunteer.
Andrea Vaughn, M.Ed., CPP
Supervisor, Adult Education, Workforce Programs, and Grant Management
Chester County Intermediate Unit and Chester County Technical College High School
As a supervisor for the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), Andrea Vaughn oversees all programs for the career and technical high schools which help students move from high school to post-secondary education or from high school directly into the field of work. In this effort, she works closely with colleges, trade schools and other post-secondary entities, as well as with business and industry colleagues in all career fields. Andrea also has oversight of large grant budgets for high school programs and responsibility to establish training opportunities for adult learners in Chester County.
Andrea has enjoyed working with ITAG since she joined the CCIU and specifically on the GETT event for the same. During this time, Andrea has served as the chairperson for volunteer coordination and security as well as assisted with presenters and the expo. Andrea also supports the Techies Day events with CCEDC staff.
Andrea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Master’s degree in Adult Education, is a Certified Program Planner, holds a certificate in Human Resource Management, as well as Career and Technical Center Director certification.