September, 2007
by Denise P. Kalm
Denise Kalm has 30 years experience in IT including application programming, enterprise systems management and performance management/capacity planning at Pacific Telephone and Bank of America. She moved to vendor land in 2000, spending 5 ½ years with BMC on the EPA product line, then recently became the senior product marketing manager for enterprise job scheduling products at CA, Inc., formerly Cybermation. She is a regional officer of CMG, has held many volunteer positions within that organization and is a frequent contributing author. Prior to entering the IT profession, she was a biochemical geneticist. Her hobbies include flying, Jazzercise, writing and scuba diving. Her book, Lifestorm, on the Oakland Hills fire, is available on Amazon. She is an executive and personal coach as well, offering phone and in-person coaching.
About the Author
Denise P. Kalm, CA, Inc. formerly Cybermation
1. What drew you to CMG in the first place?
I had the opportunity to attend CMG '87 in Orlando, and the experience left a lasting impression. The venue was fantastic, the topics, papers and presenters were all top notch and I was able to take back tools and skills that immediately helped me become more effective.
2. What keeps you there?
This organization continues to provide so much value - from networking with Subject Matter Experts and industry analysts in the fields of performance and capacity planning, to the training and information provided not just through CMG's annual conference, but through the regional meetings as well.
3. What inspired you to seek national office?
I wanted to give back to the organization that has given me so much. Having been involved with the conference on many different levels for so many years, it seemed a natural step to take. The last two years as Vice President have given me the opportunity to work with the regions - and that's been a real privilege. Now I'm ready to take the next step - and I'm eager to work with everyone (the Board, the Conference Committee, MeasureIT Staff, etc.) to expand CMG's penetration into the hearts and minds of the IT community.
4. If someone didn't know you well, what would be the 3 things you would want them know, prior to voting?
Well, I've been involved with CMG for a very long time, both at the National and Regional level. I've been NCCMG's Regional Chair since 1994; I've been CMG's Vice President for the last two years; I've presented papers both at CMG and CMG Australia and I've been a volunteer. I have a very good understanding of the organization and I have absolute respect for everyone who is involved in making this organization the living breathing entity that it is today.
5. If you could make one change to the organization or the conference, what would it be?
As an organization, we need to find ways to extend the CMG's reach into the IT community. This isn't easy, but it's important that we find ways to help our members help us extend our reach. By doing so, we'll strengthen the organization not just through growing membership, but also through gaining the mindshare of the decision makers (CIOs and CTOs) in the companies that need what CMG offers.
6. What is working well now?
When we get things right, we hit a home run! National and regional organizations continue to deliver outstanding opportunities for learning and networking. The annual conference continues to be a draw, and we're lucky enough to have vendors who are ready, willing and able to support the organization at many different levels and in many different ways.
7. What isn't?
Economics - as companies continue to tighten their belts when it comes to travel and training, CMG must find better and smarter ways to help our members justify their attendance and participation at the conference. Also, as a volunteer organization we need to make sure that those individuals who support CMG are not burned out - we've got a successful formula - but we need to be sure that we don't depend on the same few members year after year. I can't say enough about how volunteering for CMG has impacted me - I've developed lasting personal and professional relationships as a direct result of being involved - I want to find a way to show others what CMG can do for them!
8. What are the 3 adjectives you would use to describe yourself