Beyond legacy: the road to mainframe modernization

Bob has 30 years of experience working with Enterprise customers on the IBM and Amdahl Mainframe platforms and 22 years of experience at Microsoft, including launching the Mainframe Migration program in 2008.

Bob began his career working his way through college at Virginia Tech as an IBM Mainframe systems programmer. He has worked on operating system and virtualization technologies since 1971 with IBM’s MVT, MVS, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, z/OS, VM/370, VM/XA, z/VM and PR/SM technologies. Bob joined Amdahl in 1977, who was delivering the first plug compatible mainframe. While at Amdahl, Bob was a key contributor to Amdahl’s Multiple Domain Feature and holds three US patents on virtualization technologies:

• US Patent 5072376 “Measuring utilization of processor shared by multiple system control programs”
• US Patent 6453344 “Multiprocessor servers with controlled numbered of CPUs”
• US Patent 6195750 "Method and apparatus for dynamic CPU reconfiguration in a system employing logical processors"

Bob joined Microsoft in February 2001 as a Director in the Windows Server Product Management Group. In this position Bob managed the Enterprise Technical Team responsible for marketing and product management of Windows Datacenter Server and Enterprise Server. Bob was a key contributor to the Itanium Machine Check Architecture, Windows System Resource Manager and facilitated the acquisition of the Connectix Virtual Machine technology resulting in Windows Server Virtualization, Hyper-V and Azure Virtualization.

Bob established Microsoft’s Mainframe Migration program in 2008. As the Director of Mainframe Migration, he was the worldwide technical and business leader. He established an ecosystem of 50+ Mainframe Migration ISVs, SIs and MSPs and led customer engagement. Bob drove this program worldwide until his retirement in 2022.

Leveraging 14 years of engaging with Mainframe customers on their Mainframe Migration strategy and working with Mainframe Migration partners to improve their services and tools, Bob is helping a select number of ISVs, SIs and MSPs with their offerings, content, collateral, and marketing.

Over the past 10+ years, Louis has served as the first Chief Data and Technology Officer (CDTO) and first Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) for two Global insurers, respectfully. His foundational work in both companies established the data strategy, operational/technology architecture, organizational development, and cultural transformation focused on data availability for artificial intelligence modeling to allow “speed to insight.”

Louis has lived and worked around the world with 12 years of U.S. Air Force active duty, 15 years as a U.S. Air Force Reservist, which overlapped with over 25 years as a Six Sigma practitioner, independent and PwC Management Consultant and his recent CDTO/CDAO roles.

His educational background includes a master’s in public administration from the University of Oklahoma, a B.S. in MIS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and completion of the USAF Air War College leadership curriculum.

Doug Alexander is a strong leader who thrives in the space between business and technology and is world class at turning business ambition into brilliant outcomes. He has over 30 years of IT experience from working with CEO’s to leading global agile delivery teams. He is well versed at partnering with startups and knows how to use emerging technology and techniques to deliver business value while building a culture of innovation. Doug has recently struck out on his own and leads a consulting company called A Brilliant Outcome.