Thursday, June 15, 2006
Sponsored by the Consultants Network, Kansas City Chapters

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.

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