Philly Tech Week 2020

Member of House of Delegates since January 30, 2017. Member, Ways and Means Committee, 2017- (finance resources subcommittee, 2017-19; racing & gaming subcommittee, 2020-; chair, election law subcommittee, 2020-, member, 2017-); Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019-; Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2020-. Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2017-. Associate member, Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, 2019-. Member, Pimlico Community Development Authority, 2019-.

Member, City Council, Baltimore, representing District 7, December 8, 2011 to December 8, 2016. Member, Education Committee, 2011-14. Vice-Chair, Labor Committee, 2011-16. Member, Executive Appointments Committee, 2011-16; Public Safety Committee, 2011-16. Vice-Chair, Housing and Community Development Committee, 2014-16 (member, 2011-14). Member, Budget and Appropriation Committee, 2014-16; Land Use and Transportation Committee, 2015-16.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1978. Attended Baltimore Polytechnical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; Tuskegee University, B.S. (electrical engineering), 2001. Former video network engineering manager, Verizon Communications, Inc.; senior project manager, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Member, Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee, 2008-10. Member, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. VIP List, Daily Record, 2012. Lifelong member, St. Matthew Catholic Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Married; two children.

Mr. Robert A. Celestin, Esq. has practiced entertainment law in New York City for over 25 years. A graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, Mr. Celestin started his legal career as an associate at the corporate law firm, Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler in New York. He then went on to work in the legal department of Clive Davis’ Arista Records before becoming the VP/GM of Uptown Records, Inc., (“Uptown”), the label responsible for merging hip-hop and R&B and launching the careers of “Mary J. Blige”, “Jodeci”, “Guy” and others. At Uptown, Mr. Celestin worked alongside Andre Harrell and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs. He later went on to work for Untouchables Entertainment, Inc., as VP/GM and was instrumental in the success of rappers “Pete Rock and CL Smooth”; R&B trio “Intro”; and R&B vocalist “Donnell Jones”. Mr. Celestin went to work with his mentor, entertainment attorney Louise West, Esq., in representing “Timbaland”, “Missy Elliot” and “Ginuwine”. Mr. Celestin also managed the Grammy nominated and platinum selling Pop/R&B group “City High”. Presently, Mr. Celestin’s law firm, the “Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin”, represents and provides strategic advice and counsel to independent record label start-ups and production companies, recording artists, music producers, songwriters, reality TV stars, DJ’s and others. Present clients Include “Desiigner”, “6ix9ine”, the Estate of the late “Xxxtentacion”, “Fatboy SSE”, “Dj Self”, “Ezinma”, “Winners Circle Publishing”, “Anthony Flammia”, “JTK Pro Beats” and many more.

Ethan is the Data Engineer at Seer Interactive — finding new ways of automating and leveraging machine learning to move Seer into the future of digital marketing.

Some fun projects include changing PPC ad sentiment to increase click-through-rate and identifying low quality sites on paid placements to save clients money.

Previously, he was an SEO Team Lead, where he focused on providing team members with guidance on strategy and tactical implementation.

His passion lies in using the newest, latest tools to automate process and create net new business opportunities for clients.

Outside of work he loves cooking, biking, yoga, climbing, fine cocktails and Taco Tuesday.

Gavin Roy is currently the Interim CTO at AWeber. With over 25 years of experience in the Internet industry, Gavin is responsible for the technical architecture and operational stability of several large-scale web properties. He is the author of “RabbitMQ in Depth,” and actively contributes to several open source projects and communities, including Erlang, Python, PostgreSQL, and RabbitMQ. Gavin is a member of several professional organizations, including the Erlang Ecosystem Foundation (EEF), Python Software Foundation (PSF), and the IEEE.

April Walker is the Director of the Philadelphia Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) located in Malvern, Pennsylvania and a member of Microsoft’s North American MTC leadership team. April oversees Microsoft’s state-of-the-art innovation center that enables digital transformation for enterprises throughout the greater Philadelphia area. An accomplished engineer and expert in cybersecurity, AI, and cloud, April began her career in STEM more than 30 years ago in the DC area and amassed an impressive portfolio of success leading organizations in the corporate arena. A technology evangelist and change-leader, she has been the catalyst for driving innovation for many F500 corporations. A well-known and respected thought leader in both technology and D&I, April has a noteworthy array of keynote and speaking engagements conducted throughout the country where she is sought after to share her experiences as a technology leader and woman of color thriving in the world STEM. April is a graduate of MIT Sloan School of Management and earned an MBA and an Executive Certification in AI, George Washington University, M.S. in Engineering Management and University of Maryland, B.S. in Global Business. A community advocate, she recently was appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney to the Philadelphia Works, Inc. board and is board member of the Philadelphia POWER of Professional Women’s organization.

Barrie E. Litzky received her Ph.D. in organizational sciences and psychology from Drexel University and taught for the past 18 years at Penn State Great Valley. At PSU, Barrie’s primary teaching responsibilities included business, ethics, and society; sustainability; diversity leadership; and career management. She established the Consortium for Sustainable Business Development at Penn State Great Valley, which operated from 2010 through 2013 and supported various faculty research projects, a campus lecture series, and a variety of student initiatives including service learning and field trips. Barrie created courses in sustainability and social entrepreneurship and led the effort to create a graduate certificate in Sustainable Management Practices. In September 2017, Barrie returned to Drexel as an associate professor of entrepreneurship in the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Excited to be at The Close School, Barrie is currently developing and teaching courses in social entrepreneurship and sustainability, resilience and failure, and mindfulness.

Cerron was confirmed as the Secretary of Labor on January 24, 2018 where he leads state efforts to connect Delaware businesses with talented workers, and develop relevant workforce development and training programs.

Prior to that he was Acting Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO), Cerron managed the dissolution of DEDO and the creation of the new Division of Small Business, Development, and Tourism within the Delaware Department of State. He served as the Division’s Director, leading a team responsible for providing key services to Delaware businesses, administration of the Delaware Strategic Fund, and marketing Delaware as a premier tourist destination.

During his time at DEDO and the newly-created division, Cerron had led the state’s efforts to attract businesses and good-paying jobs to Delaware, keep them here, and ensure that Delaware remains a leading state for businesses to grow and thrive.

Cerron grew up in Washington D.C. and moved to Delaware to study Political Science and Law Studies at Delaware State University. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact and following his passion for public service,

Cerron has worked as a Legislative Aide for the Delaware State House of Representatives, New Castle County Deputy Director for U.S. Senator Tom Carper and State Projects Director for then-Congressman John Carney, and Legislative Liaison for Governor Jack Markell.

Cade lives in Wilmington with his wife, Kasmira, and two daughters, Jonnie and Toni.

Christopher Wink is the cofounder of Technical.ly, the network of local technology news sites, and one of the organizers of Philly Tech Week.