News / Events

I am very pleased to announce that Alan Marks will join the Sakai Foundation staff as project director for the Sakai 3 project. Alan’s hire is an important milestone for the project and for our community.

Alan’s most recent role was vice president of product development at Limelight Development, a software startup. He has 18 years of experience in all phases of software development from concept through release to sustained engineering. He has directed product development and managed significant software projects for Microsoft, HP, SAP, Adobe & and others. His background also includes public speaking and lecturing at the University of Washington on topics such as user interface design and the presentation of online information. His academic background includes a M.S. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Incoming Sakai executive director, Ian Dolphin, has been involved throughout the selection process and shares his perspective: “Alan brings a unique combination of talent and experience to the position of Sakai 3 project director. We had a very deep pool of qualified applicants for this position. We were able to identify and attract the candidate that brings the approach and experience that create greatest confidence in the success of the Sakai 3 project. I look forward to working with him to realise the exciting vision for supporting academic collaboration that Sakai 3 embodies".

Alan will be a Sakai Foundation employee reporting to Sakai Foundation executive director, Ian Dolphin, and accountable to the Sakai 3 steering group which includes: co-chair Ian Dolphin (executive director, Sakai Foundation), co-chair Philip Uys (Charles Sturt), David Ackerman (NYU), Clay Fenlason (product manager, Sakai Foundation and Georgia Tech), David Goodrum (Indiana), Oliver Heyer (UC Berkeley), and John Norman (Cambridge). The position is supported, at present, by funds from the participating institutions.

Alan begins work on Monday, June 28 and can be reached at alanmarks@sakaifoundation.org. Please look for a message from Alan next week, introducing himself and sharing his approach to the Sakai 3 project.

Join me in welcoming Alan to the Sakai community.

Josh Baron
Chair, Sakai Foundation Board

See the Sakai 3 space on the project wiki to learn more about Sakai 3 development.