MTUG's Board

MaineTech Consulting

Tonia is the founder of MaineTech Consulting (MTC), a Maine-based company servicing organizations across the country.  Tonia is a strategic technology leader who specialized in developing and executing technology strategies and roadmaps for mid-size organizations. Before founding MTC, Tonia held several senior level positions including Director of Consulting Services, Executive Director of Enterprise Shared Services, and PMO Director for the State of Maine Office of Information Technology. 

Tonia joined the MTUG Board in 2015, and serves as the MTUG Board Chair.

Knowledge Services

Fred Brittain has served in multiple executive technology roles. Most recently as the Chief Information Officer for the State of Maine from 2019-2023. He had been appointed CIO for the State in April 2019 after 25 years with the University of Maine System. During his tenure with the University, Fred served in many roles within and outside technology including Chief Operating Officer for the University of Maine at Farmington and Associate Chief Information Officer for the University of Maine System.

Throughout his career, Fred has developed a focus on aligning organizational technology strategies and service delivery, development and execution of strategic plans, and maturing organizational cultures through a focus on partnerships. Designing mechanisms for an inclusive approach to technology governance and strategy has been a cornerstone of his methodology.

Fred is fervent in his belief that an organization can only be as strong as its people and is intentional in his practice of developing future leaders through providing opportunities for growth, as well as engaging in formal and informal mentorship. He has served as president on multiple non-profit boards providing support and programming for children and under-served populations.

Community Health Options

William Kilbreth is the Chief Information Officer at Maine Community Health Options. He joined the MTUG Board in June 2019.

Ronald O. Brown Consulting

Ron is a professional engineer with more than 45 years of professional experience and over 25 years as an independent IT and telecom consultant. He formerly was with GTE where he conceived, designed, and implemented the world’s first CLEC, and was National Director of Telecommunications Consulting at Coopers & Lybrand. His current practice emphasizes expert work in the areas of IT and telecommunications intellectual property, contracts, and antitrust matters. He also works actively with the University of Maine to develop new computer and telecommunications programs.

Ron has served for more than two decades as an MTUG Board member and recently served as Chair of the IEEE Communications and Computer Societies in Maine and Chair of the IEEE Maine Section, and actively serves on the section's Newsletter and Outreach committees. 

Ron was a founding initiator of MTUG's co-sponsored Scholarship Program with the University of Maine Foundation since 2012. Actively recruiting corporate donors to the MTUG shared scholarship efforts, Ron has been the central effort in the scholarship's success in raising approximate $100,000 in scholarship donations in the first 10 years of the program, for the benefit of technology and engineering students across the University of Maine System.

FirstLight Fiber

James Harder is a Senior Account Manager with FirstLight Fiber. He joined the MTUG Board in August 2018.

Stonewall Kitchen

Mark is the Network Security Engineer at Stonewall Kitchen. He is responsible for managing the network infrastructure and day to day operation of the Stonewall Kitchen networks.

Mark has participated in MTUG events for the last ten years, 6 from a vendor perspective while with Lincolnville Telephone, 2 as a consultant with The NorthCross Group and the last 2 as an end user with Stonewall Kitchen.

Mark joined the MTUG board in 2015, and is very much looking forward to contributing to the continued success of the MTUG organization.

Tanium

Eugene is Director of Technical Account Management at Tanium. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Security at Winxnet (now known as Logically).

A long-time participant and supporter, Eugene joined the MTUG board in 2016.

Vantage Point Recruiting

Uli Stewart is a Chief Talent Advisor with Vantage Point Recruiting where she specializes in building high performance teams in engineering, IT and upper level management workspace. She brings over two decades of experience in telecommunications and IT, having served analyst roles at Central Maine Power, WellPoint/Anthem, and Idexx Laboratories, and account management at Systems Engineering. Uli holds BA from the University of Connecticut, and has been active with MTUG for much of her twenty-year career.

Consultant

James Troutman is an infrastructure consultant and is Director of the Northern New England Neutral Internet Exchange (nnenix.net) , co-founder of the annual New England Peering Forum event (nepeeringforum.org), and serves as the Director of Operations for SkyTalks at DEF CON (skytalks.info).

He has been a proponent of the Internet & UNIX since discovering both in 1987 at the University of Maine.

James has always been focused on how to best translate business and organizational goals into Information Technology action. During his 30+ year career, he has held a number of senior management and technical leadership positions and been a business partner in several start-ups. He's also performed a wide variety of consulting engagements for clients including Camden National Bank, Maine Today Media, CN Brown, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Unitel, Maine Fiber Company, Lincolnville Telephone, Axiom Technologies, Migis Hotel Group, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Exeter Region Cooperative School district, and the Maine Department of Education.

James is a long-time attendee of the MTUG IT Summit and has presented educational talks for several MTUG events. James joined the MTUG board in 2022, and chairs the Conference Committee beginning with the 2023 Summit.

NetWorks Consulting

Curt Sweet runs his own independent telecommunications consulting firm, NetWorks Consulting. Curt has worked for clients in the for-profit and non-profit sectors including the State of Maine, the University of Maine, Northeastern University, LL Bean, Camden National Bank, and the United Way. His expertise encompasses wired and wireless infrastructure, carrier services and contracts, and IP telephony and unified communications.

Curt has had had a thirty year career in the telecommunications industry, working for Key Bank of Maine and the University of Southern Maine prior to founding NetWorks Consulting in 1988.

Curt is also active in state telecom regulatory affairs, participating in Maine Public Utilities Commission proceedings and appearing before the state legislature and telecommunications industry forums.

Curt founded MTUG in 1987, collaborating with a team of telecommunications end users in Maine, and has been involved as an MTUG Board member and/or participant ever since. Curt retired from the MTUG board after 29 years of service in 2016.

Maine Tech Consulting

Heidi is the Director of Consulting at MaineTech Consulting. She has over two decades of IT experience, specializing in data-driven projects and security solutions. In her current role, Heidi focuses on driving innovation, optimizing operations, and guiding teams through technology transformations to support business growth.

Heidi joined the Board in 2024.

Connectivity Point Design & Installation

Bill has over 15 years of experience in the Technology, Telecommunication, and Cable industry.  He is an Account Manager and Outside Sales Account Executive at Connectivity Point Design & Installation, having joined in 2016. Bill’s expertise in the industry can help any sized Business/Organization with Structured Network Cabling, Audio-Visual Solutions, Security Solutions, Wireless Networks, Telephone/Paging Systems, Sound Masking, Cell Amplification, and Equipment Deployment Services. Connectivity Point can also support Tech Dispatch Services to clients who require troubleshooting/repair, installation, or smart-hands service.

Prior work experience includes consulting and selling Fiber, Coax and copper-based Cable, Voice and Data services. Experienced in providing Metro Ethernet, Internet, Voice, PRI/SIP, Co-location and Cloud solution services supporting small, medium and enterprise level customers primarily in Maine and the New England Market.

Bill prides himself on understanding, listening and servicing his clients as if they were his own business.

Bootstrap Marketing

Julie Spugnardi is Co-Owner of Bootstrap Marketing, a marketing and design services agency that serves health and wellness, insurance, and purpose-driven small businesses. She has over two decades of experience in B2B marketing, having worked predominantly in the reinsurance industry for companies such as Gen Re and RGA. Julie was recognized as a Rising Star in Marketing and Communications by LIMRA in 2016. She holds her BA in Communications from Stonehill College.