A State of the Union Panel Discussion on Apache Spark / Big Data Innovation

Join us for the 1st Spark Meetup in 2017 for A State of the Union Panel Discussion on Apache Spark / Big Data Innovation in the US! Intel, the South Big Data Hubs, and WeWork are sponsoring this event at MetiStream's new offices at WeWork so get ready for a fun time! We'll be having a panel discussion and a networking event prior to the panel talks that will give you an opportunity for an intimate meet & greet with our esteemed panel members.

Please come up to the 5th floor... no need to check into the front desk. We will have people downstairs at the lobby until 6:45 to get through the secured doors.

AGENDA

6:00 – 6:45 free food & networking; panel members meet & greet

6:45 – 7:00 welcome, quick intros & announcements

7:00 – 8:15 panel discussion

8:15 – 8:30 networking and close

PANELIST BIOS

Melvin Greer is Director Data Science and Analytics, Intel Corporation. Melvin uses his knowledge in graph analytics, machine learning and cognitive computing to accelerate transformation of data into a strategic asset for Federal Agencies and global enterprises. His systems and software engineering experience has resulted in patented inventions in Cloud Computing, Synthetic Biology and IoT Bio-sensors for edge analytics. He functions as a principal investigator in advanced research studies, including Nanotechnology, Additive Manufacturing and Gamification. He significantly advances the body of knowledge in basic research and critical, highly advanced engineering and scientific disciplines. Mr. Greer is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and U.S. National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine, GUIRR. In addition to his professional and investment roles, he is Founder and Managing Director of the Greer Institute for Leadership and Innovation, focused on research and deployment of a 21st Century Leadership Model.

Fen Zhao is an Interdisciplinary Staff Associate. Dr. Zhao focuses on building public - private partnerships and leads the National Science Foundation (NSF) Big Data Hubs & Spokes program. Prior to joining CISE OAD, Dr. Zhao was a AAAS Fellow at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy working on national security S&T issues. Before her work in the public sector, Dr. Zhao was an associate with McKinsey and Company's Risk Management Practice, serving public sector clients in the mortgage and debt markets. Fen received a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University and her BS from MIT. Her doctoral research was conducted at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology at SLAC National Accelerator Labs, where she developed supercomputing astrophysical simulations of magnetic fields within the early universe.

Serving as CTO at MarkLogic, Dr Idriss Mekrez is responsible for developing the company’s public sector technology and solution vision. He is a functional area expert in command and control systems, situational awareness, big data, geospatial intelligence and data sharing. Prior to joining MarkLogic in 2010, Idriss occupied various leadership positions at Oracle, BEA and NASA. Idriss holds a Ph.D., Cognitive Science, Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (France), a M.S. in Computer Science, and a B.A. in Mathematics Physics & Computer Science; University of Grenoble (France).

Richard Garris is a Principal Solutions Architect at Databricks focused on helping clients with their Advanced Analytics initiatives using Apache Spark and MLlib . He has spent 13 years working with enterprises in data management and analytics. Richard got his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and Masters in Software Management from CMU. His previous work experience includes Skytree, Google and PwC.

PARKING & METRO

Please see link below for directions to WeWork. The building is right across from Founding Farmers restaurant. There is parking at the building for a fee. However, we are also an easy walk from the Silverline Metro and Tysons Mall and Tysons II Galleria. See the link below for more details on your parking options:

Parking Options: http://bit.ly/2jPYKBY

WeWork Directions: https://www.wework.com/buildings/tysons--washington-DC

1775 Tysons Blvd Rates

> under 30 minutes: Free

> 30 minutes - under 1 hr: $3

> 1 hr - under 2 hrs: $6

> 2 hrs or more: $12 per day

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Please see note below for a discount code from our friends at Databricks:

As you know Spark Summit East (https://www.meetup.com/spark-users/)will be held in Boston from Feb 7-9, 2017. If you have not registered yet and plan to attend you can use "DCMU" code for 15% discount. I"ll personally be there so I'd love to see you! -d

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