Michael W. Cocanower is the founder and president of itSynergy. Since its inception in 1997, Phoenix, Arizona-based itSynergy has empowered small- and medium-sized businesses with strategic information technology (IT) guidance, comprehensive IT infrastructure services, and custom residential construction software solutions that provide distinct competitive advantages. Leveraging the latest Microsoft® technology, the firm builds, deploys, and supports solutions that improve efficiencies, drive bottom-line results, and enable clients to focus on their core business.

Prior to founding itSynergy, Mr. Cocanower built a solid educational and business background. Born and raised in Phoenix, Mr. Cocanower received Bachelor of Science degrees in both finance and computer information systems from Arizona State University. He went on to serve in technology consulting positions for various Arizona-based companies, as well as in internal IT management positions for leading Arizona residential construction companies such as Maracay Homes and Cameron Homes.

Mr. Cocanower is now a 15 year veteran of the IT field. Under his leadership, itSynergy has built an impressive client roster and has experienced exponential revenue growth. The company has been recognized as a Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner and a Microsoft® Small Business Specialist. Mr. Cocanower has been recognized as a Microsoft® Certified Professional and is one of only 57 Microsoft® Windows Small Business Server Most Valuable Professionals in the world. Mr. Cocanower sits on the United States Board of Directors of the International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners and also served on the International Board of the same organization for many years. He also serves on the Microsoft® Infrastructure Partner Advisory Council. (*see below for a complete list of Mr. Cocanower's industry awards / certifications).

Frequently quoted in various international publications, Mr. Cocanower is a recognized author and subject matter expert on the following Microsoft® publications: Small IT Solution, Medium IT Solution (both are part of the IT Solutions for SMB Series published on Microsoft's® Web site), Deploying Windows Mobile 5 on Small Business Server 2003, and the Windows Server System Assessment and Deployment Solution for Midsize Businesses. Mr. Cocanower has also been a frequent speaker at key industry events. He has spoken at the Microsoft® Worldwide Partner Conference, various Microsoft® Connections events, Microsoft® Small Business Summit, SMB Nation, SMB Summit, and at key customer events on such topics as Microsoft® Windows Sharepoint Services, Microsoft® Windows Small Business Server, and on a host of other Microsoft® technologies.

In his spare time, Mr. Cocanower enjoys camping, skydiving, and vacationing in Mexico with his family.

Awards/Certifications

• Microsoft® Certified Professional, 1995 to Present
• Microsoft® Most Valuable Professional, Small Business Server, 2004 - Present
• 2008 BizAZ Magazine Top 35 Entrepreneurs 35 and Under
• Chair, Chapter Relations Committee, International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners, 2001 - 2003
• President, Greater Phoenix Chapter, International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners, 2001
• Secretary, Board of Directors, International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners, 2002 - 2006
• Secretary, Board of Directors, International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners-United States, 2004 - Present
• Member, Board of Directors, International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners, Southwest Chapter 2004 - Present
• Microsoft® Southwest District Elite Partner, 2000
• Microsoft® Desert Mountain SMS&P Area Field Managed Partner, 2001 to Present
• Channel Advisory Council member, Microsoft® Global Small Business Server Product Marketing team, Redmond, WA, 2001 - 2007
• Founder, Arizona SMB User Group - 2004
• Member, Microsoft® Infrastructure Partner Advisory Council, 2006 - Present

Mark D. MacLachlan, Infrastructure Team Manager

Mr. MacLachlan holds numerous industry certifications including Microsoft MCSE, Novel CNE and CompTIA A+ certification. With over 15 years of IT experience Mr. MacLachlan has acquired a long list of accomplishments including running desktop support for a 4000 user campus for Lucent Technologies, performing network design for AT&T, project management for Y2K remediation for Merrill Lynch and numerous server support engagements.

A former Microsoft employee, Mr. MacLachlan is most recognized for his VBScripting skills. While employed at Microsoft Mr. MacLachlan wrote VBScripts for Knowledge Base articles and to assist Support Engineers and Microsoft Consultants. Mr. MacLachlan was certified to teach and delivered Microsoft's Premier Workshop Plus course for VBScript and was consulted by Microsoft for feedback on Microsoft's newest scripting technology PowerShell. Mr. MacLachlan believes in giving back to the IT community and volunteers to provide technical support to other IT professionals on Tek-Tips where he is an MVP in 5 forums. Mr. MacLachlan's VBScripts are used worldwide by a wide range of customers from small businesses to government agencies.

Originally from New Jersey, Mr. MacLachlan and family relocated to Arizona in 2002. Mr. MacLachlan is a Renaissance man with a variety of interests including teaching Japanese Swordsmanship, SCUBA diving, origami, juggling and riding his Harley Davidson or riding his dirt bike in the desert with his son.

Jose U. Ramirez, Director of Application Development

Mr. Ramirez leads itSynergy's software development practice. His practice area draws on a number of resources customized for each customer engagement, including contract developers/specialists, offshore resources, and full and part time employees. Since joining itSynergy in 1999 as an Application Developer, Mr. Ramirez has contributed to the success and philosophy of itSynergy, and steadily climbed the corporate ladder to his current position of responsibility for the entire practice.

Prior to joining itSynergy, Mr. Ramirez held application development and IT managerial positions with leading financial corporations such as Wells Fargo, Conseco Finance, and Green Tree Financial Services. At Wells Fargo, Mr. Ramirez designed an application (Front-End/Back-End), which allowed the ATM Balancing department to reconcile and order cash for all Wells Fargo Offsite ATMs. At Conseco Finance/Green Tree Financial Services, Mr. Ramirez's team designed a number of reporting/data warehouse applications, which provided business critical reporting data to upper management and/or outside investors.

Mr. Ramirez received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University. As a 12 year veteran of application development, Mr. Ramirez has assisted a number of clients with developing business critical customized software using the leading Microsoft tools such as: Microsoft Access, SQL Server 7/2000/2005 and Microsoft .NET technologies. Mr. Ramirez understands that in order to be successful, a relationship of complete trust must be established with those that you work with (employees/co-workers) and those that you work for (Clients). Mr. Ramirez strives to attain this level of trust with every client, and assist clients with developing applications that are strategically leveraged by an organization to deliver bottom line results.

In his spare time, Mr. Ramirez enjoy mountain biking and camping with his friends and family.