SNIA Europe 2011-2013 Board of Directors

The Storage Networking Industry Association Europe, announced its new board of directors elected by its members for the 2011-2013 term.

This eleven group of IT industry experts will be responsible for the development of strategy and the provision of guidance, direction and focus for the organisation’s activities across EMEA. Four directors hold the officer positions of chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. Other members of the Board are responsible for membership, technology, events, marketing, education and working directly with its regional country committees.  

The new board is made up as follows:
 
Executive Committee:

• Chairman: Bob Plumridge, Hitachi Data Systems (UK)
• Vice-Chairman: Chris Sopp, HP (UK)
• Treasurer: Daniel Sazbon, IBM (FR)
• Secretary & Marketing Chair: Denise Ridolfo, NetApp (FR, US)

Directors:

• Jason Beal, Ingram Micro EMEA (BE)
• Gilles Chekroun, Cisco Systems (BE)
• Leo Kappeler, Brocade (DE)
• Walter Moriconi, Oracle (IT)
• Markus Pleier, EMC (DE)
• Frank Reichart, Fujitsu Technology Solutions (DE)
• Mario Vosschmidt, Dell Corporation (DE)

Special Advisor on e-Privacy & Data Security Law:

• Ann LaFrance (non-voting)

At its first meeting on 4 November, the board welcomed three newly-elected members: Jason Beal (Ingram Micro EMEA), Markus Pleier (EMC), and Frank Reichart (FTS).

The new board also appointed e-privacy and data security law expert Ann LaFrance as a special advisor to the board on issues relating to these areas of increasing importance to the IT industry. LaFrance, based in London, leads the global e-Privacy and Data Protection Group at Squire Sanders, an international law firm. She comments: "I look forward to supporting the SNIA Europe Board of Directors and helping shape the association’s role as a thought leader on e-privacy and data security issues affecting the cloud and a growing range of other storage networking services."
 
 Bob Plumridge, elected by the Board as SNIA Europe Chairman for a second term, said: "It gives me great pleasure to announce the new SNIA Europe Board of Directors for the next 2 years. Whilst continuing to thank the traditional vendors for continuing to support the work of the SNIA Europe it is excellent news that we have the first channel partner having a seat on the new board."
 
"It is also the first time SNIA Europe has appointed an advisor to the board and we are pleased to have Ann LaFrance join us. I would also like to express my thanks to those board members who have stepped down for their support and hard work over the last two years."