Stelios Valavanis is the founder and President of Chicago Network Integrator and ISP, onShore. He also serves on the boards of community outreach and advocate, We the People Media; arts collective, M5; free wireless advocate, ChiFi; and community networking advocate, Association for Community Networking as well as advisory committees for several organizations and educational institutions. He has appeared as a guest lecturer and panelist at Loyola's Graduate School of Business, IIT's Stuart School of Business, and various industry events.

Prior to founding onShore, Stel had founded various businesses and held a number of technical positions at the Graduate School of Business and other departments at the University of Chicago.

Stel's love for things technical has spanned most of his life. As early as the age of 15, he was writing dBase code for a market research company, eventually producing an analysis tool for sale to other marketing firms. He formed his first business in 1981, producing and distributing Apple II software packages, including a visual music transcription program, various file system and font utilities and a few games. Stel also has been involved and remains active in many artistic projects including various full-length audio CD releases, video compilations, short films, stage production, soundtracks, and interactive installations.

Stel graduated from the University of Chicago in 1988 with a Bachelor's degree in Physics.
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Sales Certifications: Sun Workgroup, Sun Enterprise, 3Com NBX, Apple Product Professional, Cisco, Juniper

Nick joined onShore in 1995 as a field Systems Integration Consultant with a special emphasis on Macintosh hardware and support. Since then, Nick's technical skills have expanded to include the support of all popular platforms, including Mac, PC and UNIX, as well as high-level network analysis, design and implementation. Between 1997 and 1998, Nick managed the Macintosh technical team followed by the management of the Systems Integration team. His experience in the field and years of maintaining excellent client relationships provided a solid technical and personal foundation for Nick to add Account Management to his responsibilities and eventually, in December of 1998, to head the position of Director of Sales. In March of 2002, in order to coordinate onShore's marketing and sales efforts, Nick added the role of Director of Marketing to his responsibilities.

Nick has been involved in the computer industry since 1980. He has forged and maintained relationships with major vendors, including Sun Microsystems, IBM, Extreme Networks, Cisco, Oracle, 3Com, Apple, Hewlett Packard and Compaq. In addition, Nick has helped develop all the internal tools necessary for a successful Account Management team and continues to provide strong hands-on support for his team.

Based on his demonstrated commitment to onShore and the strength of his relationships with clients, Nick became an onShore Partner in June of 1996.

Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1990 with a BS degree in Zoology.
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Andy started in 1996 as onShore's resident expert in network infrastructure consulting and deployment, as well as providing technical support solutions for a broad range of clients, including some of the Chicago area's most prestigious advertising agencies and graphic design firms.

As Senior Account Executive, Andy was responsible for signing such landmark properties as The Monadnock Building, The Pinnacle Condominium Tower, The Palmolive Building, and Skybridge, and continues to work closely with the Associations and Property Managers of 30 of Chicago's most prestigious residential buildings.

In his current position, Andy oversees onShore's Residential Technology Services Group, and is responsible for the sales, marketing, customer service, and support of high-speed internet, residential voice services, and onShore's newest offering to condominium and apartment buildings, DirecTV Satellite Television services.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Andy is a writer for the online magazine Dusted (http://www.dustedmagazine.com). He lives in Oak Park with his wife, two kids, two cats, and an adopted pit bull named Ruby.
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Sales Certifications: Cisco, 3Com NBX, Juniper

Steve joined onShore as an Account Executive in 1998, making him the first member dedicated to the onShore sales team. His long-standing experience providing technology-related goods and services as well as his solid foundation in building and maintaining client relationships makes Steve the most accomplished Account Executive at onShore. Steve currently specializes in providing consulting services to the financial, foundation and non-profit segments of the marketplace.

A veteran sales representative, Steve has more than 12 years experience in technology consulting sales. Prior to joining onShore, Steve was a top performer for several years with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) selling computer services and also at American Express, where he sold hospital information systems.

Steve graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign in 1987 with a BS degree in Economics and Marketing.
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Sales Certifications: Apple Product Professional, Juniper, Extreme Networks

Stuart joined onShore as an Account Executive in May of 2003 as a member of the onShore Network Integration sales team. His real world experience with a vast array of technologies gives Stuart the ability to recommend effective and efficient solutions to his clients. Stuart currently works with a broad range of clients, including those in the academic, non-profit, and commercial marketplace.

A veteran of the network integration business, Stuart has more than 7 years experience, both in the field as a consultant, and on the sales management side. Prior to joining onShore, Stuart worked with many of Chicago's top technology related businesses, including Orbitz.com and Playboy.com.

Stuart graduated in 2002 from the DePaul University with a BS degree in E-Commerce.
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Justin joined onShore as the Residential Technology Services Account Executive in June of 2007. With over 7 years of multifamily industry experience, Justin's strong background in technology, marketing, and business development will allow him to solidify our position as the leading multifamily technology solution provider, as well as provide our existing clients with a localized contact that understands the unique demands of their marketplace and can provide them with a dedicated level of service.

Prior to joining onShore, Justin was the Midwest Regional Vice President for Leasing Desk Insurance Services, an internet-based Renter's Insurance provider. He also worked as the Midwest Regional Marketing Director for SureDeposit, where he was responsible for marketing a security deposit alternative insurance product to the Multifamily Apartment Industry. Additionally Justin was Regional Director for First Advantage SafeRent, Inc., a national, web-based applicant screening company, where he was responsible for new business development across the Midwest. He also has held numerous sales and marketing positions with Computer Associates International, Dun & Bradstreet and other information technology firms.

Justin is a member of the Chicagoland Apartment Association, and the Chicago Chapter of IREM. He earned a B.A. in English from Miami University in Ohio.
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Sales Certifications: Microsoft SBS, VMWare, Cisco

Jim joined the onShore Networks Network Integration sales team in September 2008. Jim brings with him more than 12 years of business-to-business sales experience, he understands changing environments and today's business challenges. He also believes in providing what he calls "Customer Service Superiority" and achieves this through understanding, intelligence and the ability to solve problems. Jim's knowledge of IT Infrastructure and Telecommunications Networks gives him the ability to consult his clients on which of the latest trends and technologies would appropriately fit their individual needs. In the end, his customers learn that a purchase of product does not end his communication but rather begins an ongoing relationship.

Jim completed one year of study at Purdue University and another 2 years at Harper College with a declared major of Computer Science.
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Since joining onShore in July of 1999, Steve has developed a specialty in the design and implementation of wide-area network (WAN) solutions for clients with branch locations. In addition, Steve's experience in the deployment of IP telephony systems in business-to-business communications makes him particularly well-suited to providing VoIP solutions to onShore clients. In June of 2000, Steve was promoted to onShore Lead Senior Consultant as an acknowledgment of his first-rate technical ability and team leadership.

Steve has over 15 years of experience helping businesses implement technology solutions. He has been involved with the Internet for over ten years, even helping to create its policies. In the late 1980s, Steve served as a sysop on several mid-western BBSes. Prior to joining onShore, Steve owned and operated Small Office Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in telecommunication services and mid-sized Windows NT networks. Steve holds degrees in Political Science and American Literature from Indiana University (1988) and Columbia College (1995).
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Jim Valavanis joined onShore in early 2006 as the Director of Network Integration. Jim has over 11 years of experience in IT/IS with expertise in network design, engineering and operating systems administration.

From his interests in Unix and shell programming during college, Jim began working as a Unix systems administrator in the early 90's at the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Jim continued to excel in the industry, and was promoted to manage a large technical staff at an options trading company. Prior to joining onShore, Jim owned and operated V-Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in LAN/WAN and systems architecture. Jim has gained extensive experience in utilizing open-source solutions to control costs and provide a wide array of solutions for customers. As part of a team for a notable project, Jim worked on designing and implementing high-availability and redundancy solutions across a carrier grade network.

Jim graduated from Iowa State University in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. Jim also holds a certification in Linux Administration.
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Dave Eshu joined the onShore team in August of 1999 as a Network Integration Field Consultant. He brought with him a strong foundation in server and workstation hardware. Dave also specializes in Microsoft products and services. Dave developed his knowledge through his own personal interest and passion for computers. He is always looking for new products and services which will benefit onShore clients and their respective businesses.

In November of 2005, Dave was promoted to Network Integration Senior Consultant to manage many of the clients he has supported as a field consultant. Dave will also be taking on new clients and a range of project management responsibilities.

Dave earned a degree from DeVry University Academy Electronics Engineering Technology Degree Program.
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Technical Certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Network Certified Systems Engineer, CompTIA

Jim originally started his career in the IT field while still in High School; volunteering in the school's computer labs during breaks and over summer vacation. This motivated Jim to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue a career in computer engineering. Jim came back to Chicago and began work for an architecture firm supporting several remote sites in a mixed Netware and Windows environment.
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Technical Certifications: Dell Enterprise Storage - EMC hardware and software

Matt began his IT career in 2001 building and repairing PCs as well as performing application installation and support. He followed that up by accepting a help desk position with a medical company providing support for UNIX based systems and their medical practice management software. In 2003, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to head up the support department of a mid-sized company and their Windows network. He supported this network and managed several Windows-based servers and infrastructure at two locations. He gained experience with Windows Active Directory, EMC storage hardware and Cisco Systems routers, firewalls and switches.

Matt has a personal interest in technology. He has experience with several flavors of Linux and maintains his own home network. Over the past couple of years he has also gained interest and experience with the Mac OS X server and workstation operating system.
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Technical Certifications: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Paul joined the onShore team in June of 2008 as a Network Integration Senior Consultant. He comes from a Windows Server background where he implemented and mananged Microsoft Exchange, MS SQL, Active Directory and IIS Servers but he is no stranger to Mac OS X or various open source environments and applications. Previously, Paul was an IT consultant in the Denver area where he focused on Small Business Server deployments. Paul also has experience with Cisco routers and switches, Blackberry Servers and OpenSource VoIP Servers including TrixBox and FreePBX. While in Denver, he also enjoyed spending time in the hiking and biking in the mountains. His interest in computers and technology began in high school.

Paul graduated from Iowa State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems and International Business.
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Matt started his carreer with onShore as a field consultant in Nov. 2007, eventually moving to a Senior Consultant position in August of 2008. Previously, he was a consultant for several years specializing in large enterprise clients and assisting with transformation efforts. Though his primary area of expertise is in Microsoft Windows system administration, Matt has also worked extensively with a variety of open source and Mac OS X applications, as well as ancillary technologies like Citrix, BES and Sharepoint.

In his spare time, Matt puts out records on a local Chicago label and enjoys writing creative non-fiction.

Matt attended Loyola University in Chicago and studied Archaeology, Sociobiology and Computer Science.
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Technical Certifications: Cisco Certified Network Associate, Microsoft Certified Professional (Small Business Server)

Bear Remien joined onShore in February 2006 as a Network Integration Field Consultant with a background in Linux and Microsoft server Operating Systems. He has since grown into the Senior Engineer role with an omnivorous view, working on everything from new Microsoft implementations to wide-area networks and Apple server technologies. He is regularly called on to execute some of the Network Integration team's most challenging projects.

Bear spent two years in as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa prior to joining onShore, serving as the network administrator for a small university of about six hundred students and faculty. He has a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Montana and has worked in technology since 2001.
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