Laura Kleekamp gave a fascinating presentation about call centers. The audience got an inside look at what happens when they, as customers, call or e-mail a company. Ms. Kleekamp was a 20+ year veteran of Sprint. At the time she began her presentation, she was a 19-hour veteran of the Sprint spin-off Embarq.

The Wyndham raised the bar on meal quality. If you missed this extraordinary steak dinner, then make plans now for next year's May Banquet.

Special thanks are owed to:

• Dick Hodgman, for providing the projector.
• Section Chair Dr. Ken Vollmar, for driving up from Springfield, MO, to run this event (which he did with aplomb).
• Shiva Narayanabhatla for assisting with the registration.
• The Section EXCOM, for sponsoring the price difference in this upgraded meal.

Here are some photos:

Menu: (Note your choice when you register.)

• Enchiladas. Seasoned corn tortilla enchiladas served with Spanish rice and refried beans.
• Vegetarian Option: Spanish style rice baked in a plump green pepper with mozzarella cheese on top with slow simmered black beans.
• Special gluten free meal: Entrée with double refried beans.

Program: Business Continuity and Avian Flu, presented by James Myers of Contingency Now

The avian flu, also known as the bird flu, or H5N1 is expected to hit the United States sometime later this year or early in 2007. This virus is known to have a 55 percent mortality rate in humans but has not yet mutated to support human to human transfer. Consider the avian flu as another opportunity for a business interruption event to hit any enterprise. All enterprises regardless of size and vertical market should be taking a serious look at investing in business continuity. Identify and understand the planning work required by technologists to ensure ongoing operations and information availability of any enterprise during a flu pandemic. Learn how a formalized business continuity plan will ensure financial losses are kept to a manageable minimum while maintaining a strong, healthy, and capable workforce.

Mr. Myers has more than 20 years of experience in the communications, network, and computer systems industry. His professional career encompasses both technical engineering and leadership positions to include computer technician, microwave engineering, WAN/LAN architecture & design, macro cellular architecture & design, leading project teams, business development, and sales. The diversity of these skill sets has allowed Mr. Myers to successfully work inside large corporations such as manufacturing, service providers, and start-up companies. Strengths include the ability to present technical information to key “non-technical” executives, taking the initiative through proactive leadership, decision making, and solving complex problems to enable customer satisfaction. Mr. Myers is currently the President and CEO of Contingency Now, a professional risk management services company located in Overland Park, KS.

Mr. Myers holds a BS in Electronics Engineering from Arizona State University, an MS in Technology Management from the University of Denver, and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Mr. Myers is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Location: Wyndham Garden Hotel, I-435 & Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.
Ph: (913) 383-2550.
Dir: Exit I-435 Metcalf Ave N. Go 1/4 km to 107th St. Turn right. Take immed. right @ BP. Go 100 meters; hotel is on your left.

Times: No-Host Social Hour: 5:30 - 6:00 PM
Dinner Hour: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Program: 7:30 - 8:30PM

Charge: Dinner $25/20* for members & guests, students $15. No charge for presentation.
*The second price reflects your registration discount, if you register by the deadline.
Dinner reservation deadline is noon on Monday, June 12.

The cash bar at mealtime now offers added variety to your beverage options:

• House Wine $4.00
• Domestic Beer $3.50
• Imported Beer $4.00
• Bottled Water $2.50
• Soft Drinks $2.00

Register: june @ ieee-kc.org.
Note your name, daytime phone #, and the names of those in your party.

Each meeting provides one hour of professional development.

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** NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED FOR UNPAID RESERVATIONS. **