Events

CEN Northern California Start-up Leaders Private Dinner, facilitated by John Nesheim, MBA '67, CU Johnson School Faculty, Author; "The Power of Unfair Advantage"

April Topic: Venture Capital is slowing down, what will attract resources?

This gathering of leaders of new enterprises is in a private setting exclusively for founders, CEOs and other leaders of startups. It is in response to those seeking a private venue to discretely discuss and learn from each other's experiences. First-timers and veterans are invited.

The dinner discussion will be facilitated by John Nesheim, MBA '67, of The Nesheim Group, a veteran of Silicon Valley and author of the best seller High Tech Start Up.

The subject for this meeting is "With the Valley slowing down and VCs getting worried, what will it take, to get your next round of financing?"

Topics expected to be opened for discussion include recruiting tricks, facility rental deals, VC negotiations, sales traction, strategic partner deals, hard to manage employees, managing burn rate, even perhaps danger of missing payroll. Or, whatever else is on your mind.

Learn from the best: Other Cornell startup CEOs and leaders.

Limited seating, sign up now.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm

6:00 PM - Networking
7:00 PM - Dinner with discussion
9:00 PM - Departure
Cost: $30 includes dinner

Location: This event will take place on Sand Hill Road. Directions will be emailed to attendees a few days prior to the event.

CEN Northern California in parternership with CSV present: "Without a Net"

CEN Northern California in parternership with Cornell Silicon Valley (CSV) present: "Without a Net - Protect your information, identity and children in our Online World" featuring Michael Santarcangelo, '96

In this seminar, join Michael Santarcangelo in a conversation to explore the solutions necessary to protect yourself and your family. Michael reveals the information and approach he uses with his own family and friends, including:

• the real threats to your identity, information and children
• the role technology plays - and how to put it to work for you
• proven strategies to engage, educate and protect your entire family

Key Topics of Discussion

• The five steps every family must follow to protect their home computer
• How to use wireless securely at home and on the road
• Social networking for kids and adults (MySpace) -- the good, the bad and the ugly
• Cyberbullying - what it is and what to do about it
• Protecting your identity and those of your children

During your time with Michael, you will learn how to assess your own usage and needs and build a simple plan of action. More importantly, you will learn the importance of the dialogue, how to engage and how to support your children and those you love.

Leave With

• Strategies
• Actionable Steps
• Understanding and support

About Michael:

Michael Santarcangelo is a human catalyst*. An expert who speaks on information protection - including compliance, privacy and awareness - Michael energizes and inspires his audiences to change the way they protect information.

Michael is known for delivering simple and effective strategies that get results. He connects with audiences in a way that makes security relevant, easy to understand and achievable! With wit and clarity, he freely shares unique insights, innovative approaches and effective solutions that are informed by both experience and research.

As the voice of optimism in an industry of doomsayers, Michael has recently completed his first book, Into the Breach, which provides the wisdom and answers executives need to defend their organization against breaches while discovering how to increase revenue, protect the bottom line and efficiently manage people, information and risk

Michael is currently taking his message of optimism on the road with the Campaign Across America, a cross country speaking tour to guide individuals and businesses to greater security.

Efficient Solutions for Information Protection:

Michael has pioneered unique services to engage people in the process of information protection. The security salon facilitates the exchange of ideas in a way that allows people to learn and apply their knowledge for immediate results and program success. The Security Catalyst Show is an audio series available on podcast in which Michael shares powerful and productive insights. The Security Catalyst Community is a supportive online environment where security professionals from around the world come together to improve the way they practice information security.

Industry Credentials:

A full member of the National Speakers Association, Michael was named one of The 59 Top Influencers in IT Security in 2007 and was selected to serve on the Symantec Advisory Council. He actively supports various industry associations and remains a secure member of the FBI InfraGard program.

Michael is a graduate of Cornell University. When not traveling North America in their RV, Michael and his family reside in Upstate NY.

A substance, usually present in small amounts, that increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm

6:00 PM - Networking
7:00 PM - Dinner with discussion
9:00 PM - Departure
Cost: $30

Location: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
950 Page Mill Road, Terrace 2D
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 461-6203

CEN Northern California presents: Social Networking: "Maximizing the Spread of Influence through a Social Network and how it can affect your life"

Social Networking: "Maximizing the Spread of Influence through a Social Network and how it can affect your life" - featuring Cornell Department Chair for Computing and Information Science Eva Tardos and Cornell University Professor Jon Kleinberg '93

By now everyone knows what social networking is. However, do you know how they really work? If we can try to convince a subset of individuals to adopt a new product or innovation, and the goal is to trigger a large cascade of further adoptions, which set of individuals within the social network do we target and why? Social network analysis is a fascinating area of technology. When implemented or adopted correctly they can have far reaching results on industries (ie. music), human interaction (myspace, facebook) and politics, to name a few.

On April 17, CSV is hosting one of the most sought after professors in the world who has answers to these questions and will pose several others for us to ponder. Professor Kleinberg is quickly becoming the Carl Sagan of Social Networking both on and off Cornell's campus. Department Chair, Eva Tardos and Professor Jon Kleinberg will share how these social networks get started, patterns and trends that operate within a given social network and how ideas/services/products can either die out quickly or make significant inroads into the population.

About Our Speakers:

Eva Tardos received her Dipl.Math. in 1981, and her Ph.D. 1984, from Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary. She is the Chair of the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University.

Her Research Interests are Algorithm Design and Algorithmic Game Theory. Algorithmic game theory is an emerging new area of designing systems and algorithms for selfish users. Her research focuses algorithms and games on graphs or networks. She is mostly interested in designing algorithms and games that provide provably close-to-optimal results.

Jon Kleinberg, '93 received his AB from Cornell in 1993 and his PhD from MIT in 1996. He spent a year as a Visiting Scientist at the IBM Almaden Research Center and has since been a Professor in the Department of Computer Science.

Professor Kleinberg teaches courses on theoretical aspects of computer science, and on the emerging inter-disciplinary role of networks at the interface of computing and information science, economics, and sociology. (Don't let that description scare you; Jon is one of those briliiant scientists who easily brings technology down to a layman's level. In fact, students from all colleges take his courses).

He has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is the recipient of MacArthur, Packard, and Sloan Foundation Fellowships, the Nevanlinna Prize from the International Mathematical Union, and the National Academy of Sciences Award for Initiatives in Research.

Register early! This event sold out in less than 24 hours in New York City!

This event produced in partnership with the Cornell Computing and Information Science Department

Thursday, April 17, 2008
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

6:00 PM - Hors d'oeuvre Reception/Cash Bar/Networking
7:00 PM - Speaker/ Q&A/ Open Mike
8:00 PM - Dessert/Coffee/Networking


Cost:$20 Includes Food, Networking, and Speaker Presentation

Location: Yahoo Corporation Headquarters, Building C, 701 First Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 95089 (free parking)

CEN Northern California presents: "Climate Change and Global Warming: The Evolving Legal Framework"

CEN Northern California in partnership Cornell Silicon Valley and The Cornell Law School presents: "Climate Change and Global Warming: The Evolving Legal Framework" featuring Kevin Haroff '77, MBA '81, JD '81, Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.

Additional details will be posted soon.

Tuesday April 29th, 2008
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

6:00 PM - Reception
7:00 PM - Presentation


Cost: $20 per person (includes Hors d'oeuvre Reception). This event is expected to sell-out and requires pre-registration.

Location: Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, 390 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto

CEN Northern California presents: Winepreneurs: Cornellians in Wine

CEN Northern California in partnership with Cornell Silicon Valley (CSV), Cornell Alumni Association of Northern California (CAANC), the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS), The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, and Cornell's Undergraduate program in Enology & Viticulture presents; Winepreneurs: Cornellians in Wine

Save-the-Date for a once in an era premier Cornell food and wine event as we feature Cornell Wine Entrepreneurs or Winepreneurs. In July the California Culinary Academy is relinquishing its historic space on Polk Street and moving to Potrero Hill. This event will be held in the famous Careme Dining room prior to its closure. And we're rolling out the red carpet! Winepreneurs is an opportunity to enjoy and connect with Cornell affiliated wineries, as well as learn about wine-related companies our fellow alumni have launched in the industry. The event will feature a "pre-event" educational component from 4PM to 6PM for up to 75 alumni followed by a grand tasting and keynote. Additional details will be posted here as they become available.

Pre-Event Educational Seminar (additional registration needed*)
4:00 pm Presentations from;
Derek B. Bromley '96, Vice President of Marketing, Vintrust
Melialani James, '00, Partner, Nirvino
Eric Sussman '90, Wine Grower Radio-Coteau
John Wilkinson '79, Partner, Bin to Bottle

5:00 PM Dirt Matters, (additional registration needed*) How to make premium Oregon Pinot Noir from a horse pasture. A tasting of Willakenzie Estate Pinots and a story of the land, the mutants, the clones, and the people who matched them up so they could fill up your glass with wine from the world's most fickle grape. Featuring Ronni Lacroute '66, Winery Owner, Willakenzie Estate

Willakenzie Estate is a 420 acre pasture and woodland estate in Oregon's Willamette Valley which Bernard and Ronni ('66) Lacroute discovered in the fall of 1990 in rural Yamhill off the usual wine tasting route. Recognizing the suitability of the Willakenzie soil on the estate to the production of premium wine grapes, they bought this beautiful hillside property which had never been farmed to any crops and proceeded to plant grape vines in the Pinot family. Dirt matters! Today Willakenzie Estate grows all its own grapes sustainably and makes highly sought after wines of the Pinot family, which can be found in fine restaurants and select wine shops throughout the United States. Bernard has put his extensive hi-tech background to use by designing a 3 level gravity flow hillside winery, pneumatically powered robots to punch down the fermenting grapes, and a cold storage and dehydration building for the grapes at harvest.

6:00 PM - Doors open for Main Event. Reception and wine tasting featuring Cornellians in wine

6:45 PM - The Story of Frog's Leap Winery
Building a winery that sustains its brand, people, and the environment for generations to come. John Williams '74, President & Wine Maker, Frog's Leap Winery will tell the story of building Frog's Leap legacy. Early on in the life of the winery John came upon the epiphany that there was a way to produce a premium product that was in concert with environment and not opposed to it, John didn't invent sustainability in the wine making business, but he is a pioneer. John is also a brand entrepreneur. He adopted the slogan "Time Flies When You're Having Fun;" which embodies the whimsical spirit of Frog's Leap brand. Today the winery is known for organic production methods that produce some of the finest quality wine in Napa. This is a Cornell story that's both fun and provocative.

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM - Reception and wine tasting featuring Cornellians in wine

*To register for the pre-event educational seminar please email mpr13@cornell.edu, only 75 alumni may attend this portion of the event.

You may also be intersted in Celebrate NY Wines on April 2nd in NYC

Thursday May 15th, 2008
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Pre-Event Educational Seminar (optional for 75 alumni, additional registration needed*)
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Main Event


Cost:$30 advance registration required, $50 at door if available.

Location: The California Culinary Academy Careme Room, 625 Polk Street (@Turk) San Francisco, CA

Northern California Women in Technology and Science Luncheon Series

Cornell Silicon Valley (CSV) in parternership with the President's Councel of Cornell Women (PCCW) present: "Tips and Tricks of Finding the Work you Love...Flexibly!" - A Conversation with Lisa Kay Solomon '93, VP of Flexperience.

Today, women are increasingly interested in blending parenthood with a career. However, the careers they seek today are not the traditional full-time, office-bound roles. In fact, the Pew Research Center survey recently released found that only 21 percent of working mothers with children under 18 viewed full-time work as the best arrangement, down from 32 percent in 1997. Sixty percent of the working mothers said a part-time job would be best, up from 48 percent ten years ago. So how do you get that flexible, fulfilling job?

Join Lisa Kay Solomon, Vice President of Client Development at Flexperience, for an exciting, collaborative discussion about the tips and tricks related to finding the work you love...flexibly. Lisa will share what she's learned about what works when creating flexible work arrangements: from marketing yourself, to finding the work you really want, to managing the ongoing professional relationship, and your overall career path. She'll also address some common obstacles to getting the job you want flexibly, and strategies to overcome them.

Lisa's experience draws from the hundreds of professionals that are part of Flexperience's talent database, the clients' perspectives on flexible contract assignments, and her own perspectives from her past career as a consultant who worked flexibly in a top tier strategy consulting firm.

About Lisa:

Lisa Kay Solomon is a Cornell '93 grad (Arts/Government), who has been in the bay area since 1999. She's worked at a variety of start-ups and consulting firms, such as Global Business Network, a member of the Monitor Group. Currently Lisa is a Vice President of Client Development at Flexperience, a boutique consulting firm that connects experienced marketing, legal, human resource, and finance professionals with opportunities for part-time, flex-time, or project-based work. At Flexperience she is responsible for educating clients on the business and social benefits of working with senior talent in flexible, deliverables-based arrangements.

Sand Hill Road Life Sciences Venture Capital Luncheon with Beckie Robertson '82, Managing Director, Versant Ventures

Sand Hill Road Life Sciences Venture Capital Luncheon featuring Beckie Robertson '82, Managing Director, Versant Ventures

A forum for Cornell alumni to meet other alumni interested in technology and entrepreneurship. Expect to meet venture capitalists, investment bankers, start-up employees, and technology executives. Each luncheon will be limited to twenty attendees.

Thursday, February 7, 2008
12:00 PM -- 1:30 PM

11:45AM - 12:15PM - Early arrival networking, doors open at 11:45AM
12:15PM - 12:30PM - Introduction of attendees
12:30PM - 1:30PM - Presentation and discussion of presentation
1:30PM - Hard cut-off of presentation and discussion
Stay to network until 2:00PM if you like!

Cost:Alumni: $20 per person includes boxed lunch.

Location: The Infinity Sales and Design Center, 160 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

CEN Northern California in partnership with Cornell Silicon Valley (CSV) present "A Taller San Francisco" featuring Alan Mark, MBA '80

Get the inside perspective on San Francisco's exciting residential real estate market from two individuals on the front lines. As President of The Mark Company, Alan Mark will share his unique point of view on San Francisco's quickly growing skyline and the luxury homes at The Infinity, one of the most high-profile developments currently on the market. This innovative four-building community was designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Miami-based Arquitectonica in collaboration with Clark Manus, FAIA of Heller Manus Architects. As a design principal and CEO of one of the City's most in-demand and influential architecture firms, Clark will discuss the issues that were instrumental in forming the design of The Infinity as well as the creation of a new residential neighborhood in the Rincon Hill/Transbay Terminal area on the heels of the freeway demolition.

If you've been in the market for a home in San Francisco during the past ten years, you've probably visited one of The Mark Company's developments. The Mark Company offers market research, product design, marketing and sales consulting services to residential developers of medium- to high-density residential developments. The Mark Company offers advice at every step of the process, from selecting finishes and amenities that will appeal to the target buyers to producing pricing and sales strategy that will maximize profits and absorption for their clients. After selling hundreds of condominiums in almost every type of market, Alan Mark has a unique insight into what buyers really want and how to design, market and sell to them to achieve the best results possible. Successful communities include St. Regis Residences and The Beacon in San Francisco and The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles.

More than two decades after its formation, Heller Manus Architects is still committed to finding the ideal design solution for each project. The firm's designs express not only functional purpose, but physical and social context as well - ensuring that their buildings will retain quality and currency for generations to come. Where some professionals have encountered only obstacles in the restrictive planning process in San Francisco, Heller Manus has found design opportunities. The firm has had a tremendous impact on some of the City's most important landmarks, including the renovation of City Hall and the rebirth of the Embarcadero waterfront. Their residential portfolio includes The Metropolitan, 733 Front Street and 199 New Montgomery in San Francisco, as well as The Terraces at EmeryStation in Emeryville. Significant projects beyond the Bay Area include: Orlando City Hall in Florida; a riverfront office tower in Detroit, Michigan; a luxury resort in Sun Valley, Idaho; an amphitheater in Seattle, Washington and a high-rise waterfront mixed-use project in Shanghai .

Nearing sell out of its first phase, The Infinity is located just one block from the Embarcadero and walking distance to the Financial District, Ferry Building and AT&T Park in San Francisco's flourishing South of Market neighborhood. The event will take place at The Infinity's Sales & Design Center, situated just across the street from the project site. The Sales & Design Center includes a full-scale model of one of the building's luxury homes, as well as a scaled model of San Francisco.

Join us to hear about the exciting story behind The Infinity and the past, present and future of San Francisco's ever-changing skyline. Alan will discuss how The Mark Company works with a developer to design, market and sell their product, as well as how The Mark Company keeps itself updated on the marketplace. Clark Manus will discuss Heller Manus' commitment to realizing a new, dynamic downtown neighborhood in San Francisco and its approach to designing innovative and contextually sensitive buildings. This event will be especially exciting for anyone who plans to purchase a home in San Francisco or is simply interested in learning more about the marketing and sales strategy behind one of San Francisco's most high-profile and groundbreaking developments.

Thursday January 24, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm

6:00 PM - Reception
7:00 PM - Presentation / Q&A
Cost: $20 includes reception, does not include parking. Please note that this event is being fully hosted by Alan Mark, all proceeds will be returned to Cornell Silicon Valley to subsidize local events.

Location: The Infinity Sales and Design Center, 160 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

CEN Northern California and Cornell Silicon Valley (CSV) present "New Year's Networking - a Career Networking Event for Alumni, Students & Parents"

In years past we've featured a New Years Networking event in combination with the Annual Entrepreneurship event the first Sunday of the year. This year's Annual Entrepreneurship event is actually on Sunday, February 10th, 2008. But the New Year's Networking part was so beloved we've kept it as a separate event.

On Thursday January 3rd, 20 of our Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management students will be here to attend this event. We'd like to help them and you start off 2008 with some terrific career networking.

We've arranged presentations by some of our most successful alumni so that no matter what your experience level you'll gain something from this event.

We can use your help! Get the word out to students, alumni, and parents; Bring Your Rolodex, a Good Attitude, and Be Ready to Take Notes.

It's a free event you'll love but we can't do it without you. So turn off the TV, get out your umbrella, and give a helping hand to our goal of making Cornellians successful. You can help to open your rolodex to this group regardless of your own career goals.

Presentations include;

Finance in the Technology Industry
Ken Goldman '71, SVP Finance and CFO of Fortinet, and Cornell Trustee. Ken is a board member of several public and private companies. Prior to Fortient, Ken was SVP of Finance at Siebel Systems which was acquired by Oracle.

Digital Media Distribution
Chia-Lin Simmons MBA '02, AOL, Director of Business Development and Host of On Digital Media

State of the Biotechnology Industry
Alice Leung MBA '86, President and CEO, Intarcia Therapeutics Inc. Alice has held positions in marketing, sales, manufacturing, business development and licensing.

Start-ups and Raising Capital
Azhar Khan '92, Cofounder and VP of Engineering Like.com. Azhar is a serial entrepreneur, who offers wonderful insights to all on life in the start-up industry.

Management Consulting and the High Tech Growth Agenda
Marcy Jill Strauss '92, Strategist, High Tech Practice, BearingPoint. Marcy is a leader in BearingPoint's High Technology Practice. She identifies new clients, sells work, builds teams and manages the delivery of consulting engagements that create value through improved operational effectiveness, customer understanding, and focused strategy. She has lead and delivered 20+ consulting engagements during her eight years at BearingPoint. She is a skilled practitioner of structured thinking, and has trained as a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Managing Business Development in the Technology Industry
Bill Rusitzky '90 MENGR '90 MBA, Adobe, Director, Strategic and Technology Partner Alliances

January 3, 2008
6:00pm - 9:00pm

6:00 PM - Reception
7:00 PM - Presentation
Cost: Free for alumni, students and parents with advance registration

Hosted by: Ann Wang '93, Merrill Lynch, Financial Advisor

Location: HP, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1112

The Current State of Turbulent Markets; A Palo Alto Luncheon,

Ivan Brockman is a Managing Director in the Technology Investment Banking Group at Citi, and currently heads the firm's global investment banking efforts in the enterprise systems and software industries, and is also frequently involved in other large cap relationships with clients in other areas of technology and private equity.

Selected technology companies with which Ivan has worked include Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, EMC, Intuit, BEA Systems, VMware, eBay, Sun Microsystems, Flextronics, Siebel, VERITAS, Aricent, SSA Global, Quest Software, Agilent, Sanmina-SCI, Solectron, Business Objects, Tibco, Documentum, Agile, GXS, Crystal Decisions, Real Networks, Ariba, i2 Technologies and Plumtree. In addition, Ivan has worked with leading technology financial sponsors Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts, Texas Pacific Group, General Atlantic Partners, Francisco Partners and Vector Capital.

Previously, Ivan was a Vice President with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the firm's Technology Media and Telecom Investment Banking Group, where he headed the firm's efforts in the software and EMS industries. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Ivan was with Lazard Freres & Co. in the firm's technology investment banking group, and also spent several years as an Associate at the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, where he worked directly with Larry Sonsini and executed numerous venture capital financings, equity offerings and mergers for companies in every sector of technology.

Ivan received a BS with Distinction from Cornell University in 1990 and a JD from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1994. Ivan is a former National Science Foundation fellow and a participant in the prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory program.

Ivan lives in Atherton, California with his wife Lori, and his three children, Sara, Emma and Henry.

A San Francisco Luncheon, "Private Equity Growth Capital for Financial Technology"

Monday, December 10, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

11:45AM - 12:15PM - Early arrival networking, doors open at 11:45AM
12:15PM - 12:30PM - Introduction of attendees
12:30PM - 1:30PM - Presentation and discussion of presentation
1:30PM - Hard cut-off of presentation and discussion
Stay to network until 2:00PM if you like!


Cost: Alumni: $20 per person includes boxed lunch.
Location:Downtown San Francisco, location to be announced.

San Francisco Private Equity Luncheon,

At this luncheon presentation, Taek Kwon '96 will over view Private Equity. What is it? How does it work? Why is it important today, increasingly more so, and how is it changing the business world? TPG has over $30B under management, with a target investment of $100M to $750M.

Taek Kwon is an operating partner at TPG Growth, the growth equity and middle market investment fund of TPG. Taek focuses on investments in the consumer, media, travel, and Internet sectors in North America, South America, and Asia.

Prior to joining TPG, Taek was the CEO of Friendster, the popular social networking pioneer. He joined Friendster in June 2005 to execute a difficult turnaround of the company as revenue was quickly declining and user growth had stagnated. During Taek's tenure, the company reduced operating expenses by over 50%, resolved the company's legacy technology problems, launched Friendster 2.0, an innovative community product that provides applications for the publishing and discovery of user-generated multimedia, increased US audience by 85%, and doubled revenue.

Previously, Taek was the Executive Vice President of Product and Technology at Citysearch, an Interactive Corp (NASDAQ: IACI) company. At Citysearch, Taek oversaw the product, technology, editorial content, operations, and online marketing efforts that led the company to profitability for the first time in nine years. He successfully executed Citysearch's strategic shift from entertainment-focused advertising to broader yellow page advertising services, led the company through its period of fastest growth, and turned Citysearch.com into a top 3 online local search property.

Before Citysearch, Taek was one of Hotwire's earliest executives, serving as VP of Engineering and Operations. He joined Hotwire in May 2000, prior to the launch of the online travel service, and oversaw the early stage development, launch, and rapid growth of the top-5 travel site. Hotwire was acquired by InteractiveCorp in November of 2003 for $685M.

Taek began his technology career as an early employee and head of engineering at CommerceBid, a business to business auction service that was acquired by Commerce One in January of 2000 for $225M.

Taek received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, where he was a member of the National Engineering Honor Society, a member of the lightweight football and wrestling teams, and runner-up in the World DJ Championships.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

11:45AM - 12:15PM Early arrival networking, doors open at 11:45AM
12:15PM - 12:30PM Introduction of attendees
12:30PM - 1:30PM Presentation and discussion of presentation
1:30PM Hard cut-off of presentation and discussion
Stay to network until 2:00PM if you like!
Cost: Alumni: $20 per person includes boxed lunch.

Hosted by: Ann Wang '93, Merrill Lynch, Financial Advisor

Location: The location near the 600 Block of California Street in San Francisco will be emailed to registered attendees a few days before the event.

Women in Technology and Science Luncheon Series, A View from the Physical Sciences

featuring Barbara A. Jones, MS '85, PhD '88 IBM Almaden Research Center Head, Theoretical and Computational Physics.

A note from Barbara regarding her presentation:
The numbers of women in the physical sciences have been increasing over the years, steadily but relatively slowly. I will discuss various initiatives currently at the university, corporate, and professional society levels, and conclude with a personal assessment and an invitation to discussion. I will start with an overview of the goals and activities of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics of the American Physical Society.

I served on this committee for several years, including a year as vice chair and chair, and I will discuss the ways in which I believe this rather undersung committee has considerable importance in promoting women in physics. A key component of the committee's activities is the APS/IBM Research Program for Undergraduate Women, a joint program of IBM and the APS.

Awardees receive a salaried summer internship at IBM Almaden, a mentor, a grant, and a chance to present their research at the end of the summer. We have been running this internship for six years now with considerable success, and I will provide a history and analysis of this program. Finally, I will discuss IBM's historically positive views on diversity as an imperative both for the research environment and for overall business success.

I will leave time for discussion, comments and suggestions from the audience.

Targeting the Largest US Population - Baby Boomers. They Spend, They're Online and They're More Than a Demographic: A San Francisco Luncheon:

A San Francisco Luncheon featuring Robin Wolaner, '75, Founder & CEO Teebeedee, Inc.

You'll learn how and why it's important for your business to pay special attention to this brand loyal group, why selling to boomers is fraught with peril (don't call them seniors!), and why everyone who thinks they know about boomers - are wrong.

Robin was recently featured in both the New York Times and Business Week.

Join TeeBeeDee (it's free) now and become a Founding Member - Founding Members help us shape the community as we're building and at the end of 2007, we'll be making a charitable donation in their honor.

How to Build a Low-Carbon Economy; NASA Ames-Cornell University Environmental Discovery Series

This event is completely free for one alum and one guest with advance registration using the following link.

See Who's Coming | Register Here

6:30PM Viewing the Carbon Economy from Space: NASA's Contributions to Carbon Cycle Science and Carbon Management
by Edwin Sheffner, Deputy Chief of the Earth Science Division at NASA's Ames Research Center. (download Ed's presentation)

The premise of the carbon economy is that the cycling of carbon through the environment, especially its sojourn in the atmosphere, is a major cause of global warming. Although the mechanisms of global warming are understood, the details of the process, particularly the factors that control the sources and sinks of carbon, are not sufficiently known to predict and monitor how they respond to human actions. NASA's unique capabilities in earth observation are reducing the uncertainties in how carbon sources and sinks behave and change over time, essential information before a carbon economy can be implemented.

7:00PM College of Engineering Update, W. Kent Fuchs, Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering, Cornell University

7:10PM Panel How to Build a Low-Carbon Economy; Moderated by Stephanie Langhoff, NASA Ames, Chief Scientist

Jonathan Gelbard '94 - Case Studies on Carbon Offsetting (download Jonathan's presentation)

Annmarie Meike '78, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Portfolio Manager for Energy and Environmental Technology (download Annmarie's presentation)

Carl Pechman '76, '83, Phd '90, President, Power Economics - Building Renewable Capacity in California (download Carl's presentation)

Ted Pope '86, Vice President, Energy Solutions (an energy efficiency consultant to businesses, utilities, and government). (download Ted's presentation)

Ben Tarbell '97, Solar City, Photovoltaic System Providers. (download Ben's presentation)

The United States economy relies on high-carbon fossil fuels for a society of mobile people and goods. Use and combustion of these fuels has contributed to global climate change, poor air quality in major urban areas and the Central Valley, and the U.S.'s overdependence on imported oil. At this event we'll feature several Cornell alumni working to build a low carbon economy by expanding renewable energy capacity, purchasing carbon offsets, helping California set new low carbon fuel standards and promoting energy efficiency opportunities to businesses.

A San Jose Luncheon,featuring Dan Baum MAR '87, Vice President, New Business Initiatives Adobe Systems, Inc.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
12:00pm - 1:30pm

11:45AM - 12:15PM - Early arrival networking, doors open at 11:45AM
12:15PM - 12:30PM - Introduction of attendees
12:30PM - 1:30PM - Presentation and discussion of presentation
1:30PM - Hard cut-off of presentation and discussion
Stay to network until 2:00PM if you like!


Cost: Alumni: $20 per person includes boxed lunch.
Location: Location in San Jose will be emailed to registered guests a few days prior to event.

Make Your Home an Energy-Efficient & Healthy Habitat

Thursday, November 1, 2007

6:00 PM Reception
7:00 PM Presentation
Cost: $20 per person (includes Hors d'oeuvre Reception)

Location: San Rafael Corporate Center (SRCC), located at 750 Lindaro Street, in central San Rafael

Creating Sustainable Work Places; Bishop Ranch and Beyond

How is the work place changing?
How can the workplace respond to and anticipate future technology needs?
How can the making of the work place be sustainable?

Featuring Mohsen Mostafavi Dean of Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art and Planning

Alex Mehran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunset Development Company, Developers of Bishop Ranch

Ken Derr '59, MBA '60, Chevron Inc, Retired, Chairman of the Board and CEO

Arthur Gensler Jr '57, Gensler, Chairman of the Board & The 1995 Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year

Julia S. Maser '55, AIA, Hoover Associates Architects. A designer for over 4,000,000 square feet of office space in Bishop Ranch, she is currently working on the San Ramon City Hall which will be located in the development.

Home to over 300 companies and 30,000 employees, Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California was voted by the EPA to be the "Best in America". This visit to Bishop Ranch showcases one the premier examples of American workplace, envisioned by Mausd '46 and Alex Mehran and their collaborators. Along with AAP College Dean Mohsen Mostafavi, please join a discussion with some of the most significant contributors to new and evolving work environment:

Along the way you'll hear an update on Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning, see a presentation on and tour of the development, and participate in a panel featuring some of Cornell's most successful architects and business people.

Tour of AT&T Park + Lunch

Monday, October 8th, 2007
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Location: AT&T Park, San Francisco

10:30AM - Shannon Murray waiting to greet you at Main Gate
11:00AM - Jason will take us on a tour of the park followed by Lunch
12:15PM - Lunch
1:30PM- Event Concludes

Cost: $20 Includes Tour & Box Lunch

Hi all, I am sorry to say but this event is now sold out. If you email me at shm4@cornell.edu I will add you to the waitlist for cancellations but I am doubtful you will clear.

Sold out of this event?
Public Tours are available and the Cornell Alumni of Northern CA out to see the Giants every spring. If you are interested in joining more than 100 Cornell Alumni for this outing join the CAANC events Yahoo group at cornellnorcal.com and watch your email in late January for a ticket announcement.

New Technology & Business Models in the Wireless Industry

Silicon Valley Luncheon: "Business Development Toolkit for Startups"

Brand Experience Design

a San Francisco Luncheon featuring Adam Kleinberg '92, CEO, Traction, a San Francisco creative agency that designs brand experiences.

The onslaught of new media vehicles the brand marketer must contend with is never-ending: online, offline, mobile, experiential, social networks, buzz... There is a new breed of consumer who experiences your brand through all these channels and it now an imperative to ensure that the tactics in a marketers toolkit work together cohesively.

He has worked with companies like Bank of America, Apple, Virgin Mobile and Wal-Mart to plan and execute marketing strategies that focus on the customer experience. Adam will discuss his company's unique approach to brand experience design and illustrate how Traction and other successful marketers are creating integrated brand experiences to build connections with consumers.

"The Power of Personal Service"

Three questions you should know the answers to for the future...

How do fads and trends spread through friendship networks on-line? ie YouTube, MySpace and friendster.

What will happen when really big mission critical systems begin to bust at the seams? How vulnerable are we as private citizens? ie New York Stock exchange going down.

Automobiles driving themselves in an urban environment - Is it possible?

We are all familiar with who the titans are within the technology industry but did you ever wonder who taught and influenced our greatest technology minds? How do these folks think and what's on their minds? Where do they see the technology industry heading? Why should social networking become part of a company's on-line strategy? What motivates these individuals to give away all their knowledge on a daily basis? Here's you opportunity to take advantage of learning from the leading scientists within the faculty of Computing and Information Science. Only this time there is no exam at the end.

Featuring faculty of Computing and Information Science at Cornell University

Dean Robert Constable

Ken Birman

Daniel Huttenlocher

Juris Hartmanis

Silicon Valley Arts and Sciences Luncheon

August 08, 2007
Sponsored by the Cornell Silicon Valley & The Western Regional Office

Palo Alto Summer Intern/Alumni Gathering

San Francisco Summer Intern/Alumni Gathering

Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development - A New Vision for Cornell

featuring Alan Paau, MBA, PhD, Vice Provost for Technology Transfer & Economic Development, and Executive Director, Cornell Center for Technology, Enterprise and Commercialization (CCTEC)

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy.

featuring Jon Gordon '93, www.jongordon.com

"If you want to fuel your family, your career, your team, and your organization with spirit, read this book. Jon's energy and advice will leap off the page and help you cultivate positive energy in everything you do ��and you will make the world a better place for your having been here. Thanks, Jon, for pumping us up and making sure we get on the right bus."

- Ken Blanchard, Co-author of The One Minute Manager�� and Leading at a Higher Level

Jon is a leading authority on developing positive, engaged people, leaders, businesses, schools and teams. He is the author of several books, including The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy. His proven solutions are being put to use by executives, athletes, moms and dads, artists, teachers and numerous organizations throughout the globe.

As a professional speaker and consultant, Jon has infused energy into organizations such as The PGA Tour, The Jacksonville Jaguars, Wachovia Bank, Chubb Insurance, Cingular Wireless, GE, State Farm Insurance, The United Way and the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee.

Jon has been featured in numerous television shows, magazines and newspapers including CNN's American Morning, NBC's Today Show, Men's Health, Forbes and Positive Thinking. He is also the co-founder of PEP-The Positive Energy Program, a nonprofit 501c3 organization which creates and funds programs that develop healthy, positive children around the world.Jon's website, www.JonGordon.com, and free weekly newsletter serve as an online resource for people looking to enhance their positive energy.

Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in teaching from Emory University. He lives in Northeast Florida with his wife and two "high energy" children.

San Francisco Venture Capital Luncheon Series,

You, Inc. - Beyond Your Career: How to Uncover your Life Purpose and Infuse it with Passion, Energy and Joy!

featuring Rachael Collins '86, the President and Founder of FuturesQuest.

We all deal with it - juggling professional obligations, personal needs and social responsibility. So often we get caught up expending most of our energy for our 'career'. Sometimes it seems like there's just no time for YOU.

NEWSFLASH: Life is a journey, and Career is not a destination, but a stepping stone in your journey. Focus, productivity, happiness and results are all easier to achieve when you FLOW with your life force instead of burning it up by focusing on one thing. Fulfilling and balancing the integrated needs of your body is required to effectively run the (ad)venture called your LIFE. Where are you in your journey and what possibilities lie ahead?

Come learn from organizational psychologist and energy expert Rachael Collins how to elicit the best from yourself and create the life of your dreams. Prepare to laugh, maybe cry, but most of all - dare yourself to be your best.

** Bring a statement of your life purpose (as you think it is today) and be prepared for how it may transform before your very eyes!

** Bring a problem you've been wrestling with and prepare to find new solutions.

Venture Capital Luncheon Series,

Why Race Impacts Educational Attainment: What Can We Do About It?

Featuring David Harris, Cornell's Vice Provost for the Social Sciences and the Robert S. Harrison Executive Director for the Institute for Social Sciences.

• Participate in a persuasive discussion on the critical role that the social sciences play at Cornell University (http://www.socialsciences.cornell.edu).
• Hear insights from David's work on race and differences in educational attainment influencing the world around us.
• The discussion will address social networks, culture, economic resources and other important factors that impact the success of students at Cornell and other selective institutions.

David has broad research interests in race and ethnicity, social stratification, social identity, and public policy. His research applies theories from sociology, economics, and psychology to such issues as the determinants of racial identity among African Americans, the new Census definitions of race, social isolation among the inner-city poor, and the racial and nonracial determinants of white residential mobility. David has published his work in sociology journals, as well as in public policy outlets, and major national newspapers.

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

11:45AM - 12:15PM - Early arrival networking, doors open at 11:45AM
12:15PM - 12:30PM - Introduction of attendees
12:30PM - 1:00PM - Presentation