OK 12: Technology Superstars

Business leaders who understand and use technology to grow their business and make the world a better place

Facilitator

Mark Drummond
Mark Drummond

AI at Apple
I live at the intersection of technology, user experience, and relationship-building. Fundamentally, I'm a technologist and entrepreneur, with an out-going social streak. I like both technology and the people who make technology. I lead teams that develop first-of-a-kind technology-based products.
I have particularly strong skills in Artificial Intelligence, intelligent agents, Machine Learning, text processing, unstructured data management, optimization, graph search, and P2P technology. I have done fundamental research in these areas, and have managed large teams (over 100 people) over extended periods, as well. While I understand technology, I view it primarily through the lens of user experience.

Advisor

Michele O’Hara
Michele O’Hara
Executive Director

Michele’s work is grounded in the creation of connections between brands and the people they serve. Through her passion, vision and leadership, she has earned a reputation as a brand leader and change agent. Michele most recently completed a brand turnaround for Zolo Media, a broadcast media group and helped launch news program, Central Oregon Daily. Past work included brand work for a hospitality group in the Bay Area, an NBA team and the American Red Cross. She has provided branding for several startup businesses as well as facilitating growth for brands ready to take their organization to the next level. Michele’s life mission is to inspire others to become their personal best. She is a public speaker and facilitates training in the area of business and personal branding and provides leadership development to organizations through her branding business, Luminous Brands.

Team Members

Wendy Morgan
Wendy Morgan

Wendy Morgan is an entrepreneur with a passion for using technology to solve the world's most pressing social issues. Wendy is a lifelong educator and diversity, equity, and inclusion expert and has over 25 years of experience in speaking, teaching, training, and designing innovative online education platforms.

Brian Cappy
Brian Cappy

After spending the last 15 years figuring out how to move back to Bend where he grew up, Brian and his wife are thrilled to be back home with their two young children. Brian is a recovering sales leader focused on the intersection of data, patient care and technology - and how we might be able to help everyone live more life, every day.

Ryan Comingdeer
Ryan Comingdeer

I am a seasoned CTO, entrepreneur and technical advisor with over 25 years of experience solving complex business challenges for private sector, public sector, startups and Fortune 1000 companies. I have gained deep business and technical expertise leading successful customer engagements, delivering Well-Architected solutions and defining and executing cloud transformation strategies. My technical areas of expertise include software development, cloud architecture, agile methodologies, security compliance's and best practices, migrations, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, IoT, and data management solutions. I leverage my in-depth understanding of cloud architecture and insights into business requirements to help businesses uncover opportunities, risks, and develop IT strategies for continued modernization.

I am passionate about mentoring, supporting and educating the next generation of innovators. I believe relationships and the culture established between coworkers and customers are paramount and should be an intentional part of all business strategies. I enjoy brainstorming and establishing business strategies but also being involved in the execution and deliverables. I enjoy fast-paced environments that can fail fast, pivot based on feedback and have fun along the way.

Click here to connect on LinkedIn.

Paul Tice
Paul Tice

I have over 20 years of building and leading technical teams on various large, complex surveying, CAD/BIM, GIS, software development, and Reality Capture projects.
Over the years, I've developed a passion for supporting 3D technicians worldwide with educational materials on 3D Reality Capture and construction technologies through LinkedIn Learning, industry periodicals, and speaking at conferences.

Click here to learn about ToPa 3D, Inc.

Dini Vemuri
Dini Vemuri

Hello Made Local is a Bend-based technology start-up with the goal of connecting local artists and makers with the tourism industry. Currently this link is very diffused - farmers markets, and a few local stores. There is no single destination — yet! HML provides the platform to easily find locally made products, and allows makers to grow their business by unlocking millions of dollars of unrealised potential revenue.