Don DeRisi

Don DeRisi has held various roles in the technology industry since 1979. Don began their career as a Teacher of Mathematics at Teaneck Public Schools in 1979. Don then moved to Graphnet in 1981 as the Director of Network Development, where they were responsible for software development and version release on packet network, functional enhancements, customer feature definition and development for messaging protocols. In 1990, Don joined Prodigy Services Company as the Senior Manager of Access/Proxy Server Development, with responsibility for nationwide dialup ISP access platform, using RADIUS with TCP/IP transport. Don then moved to CenturyLink in 1998 as the Manager of Professional Services, where they developed the Certified Provider Program with their team, bringing suppliers of IT and Network Services under contract for resale of Professional Services, mentored technical and business reviews of provider capabilities, and led nationwide sales overlay and delivery of CPE/network Professional Services. In 2012, Don joined TGC-Global, Inc as the Director of Professional Services. Most recently, in 2015, they joined Pica8, Inc as the Director of Business Development. At Pica8, Don has been responsible for "The Software Cisco," as the industry's only open networking software alternative to Cisco for the enterprise. Pica8's AmpCon Network Controller and PicOS Software Switches have successfully replaced Cisco DNA Center and Catalyst switches within Fortune 500 enterprises.

Don DeRisi graduated from Bergenfield HS, Bergenfield NJ. Don then went on to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University. Afterwards, they completed graduate work in Computer Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning 24 credits from 1980 to 1982.