TS2 - Meet the TS2 Team

The Microsoft TS2 Partner Technology Specialists are located throughout the United States and are available to work with partners on With Partner events such as co-hosted customer events, User Group participation, and many other partner events. Each Partner Technology Specialist has their area of expertise and is available to work with partners based on per partner request. TS2 Partner Technology Specialists are available based on their individual schedule and location of the partner. T & E is an additional cost. To request a TS2 Partner Technology Specialist send an email to mrems@microsoft.com or to contact the TS2 Team send an email to ts2@microsoft.com.

J.J. Antequino Orlando, FL Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		J.J. holds a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Prior to joining Microsoft, J.J. worked as a technician for a number of ISP’s as well as a segment of Dell’s user offerings. Additionally, he owned a small business in Florida catering towards automobile enthusiasts. Joining Microsoft January, 2000, J.J. spent the majority of his career specializing in Active Directory deployments as a Support Engineer with the Product Support Services organization. In February, 2005, he joined the TS2 team as a Partner Technology Specialist presenting seminars geared toward small to medium sized businesses. These seminars deliver cutting edge information on how to compete in the global marketplace and feature the latest Microsoft applications for improving information management in business. Upon entering the TS2 role, J.J. moved back to Orlando, FL where he's closer to family.

Kevin Clarke Hermosa Beach, CA Click for my blog >>>		Educated at Penn State in Labor & Industrial Relations, Kevin worked in law and negotiations as a business agent for 4.5 years; then took a fork in the road, attending SMU for his MCSE. Kevin’s computer career began humbly as a tech at Lone Star Park Race Track; then as a junior admin at Bank of Texas; followed by Nokia where he traveled throughout the Americas performing messaging migrations. Along the way, he learned from the ground up as a System Builder and teaching college MCSE classes. After joining Microsoft late 1999, Kevin worked in various capacities in PSS-- supporting Server OS; then Windows XP Beta and Jenga teams-- interacting with Dev, traveling to consumers' homes for qualitative feedback in Real People\Real Data initiative; and preparing outsource partners to support Windows XP in a successful launch. For the next couple of years he worked in messaging (Exchange Administration). Since 2004, when he relocated from Dallas to Southern California, Kevin has been working as a Partner Technology Specialist for the TS2 Team helping Microsoft Partners grow their businesses.

Stephen Deming Washington, D.C. Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		Steve loves working at Microsoft and being part of the TS2 team as a Partner Technology Specialists. Most of his twenty plus years of professional computer experience is in software training and consulting. In the seven years leading up to joining Microsoft, Steve was the IT manager for a small business where he focused on Windows NT, 2000 and BackOffice; working with businesses to identify and implement effective solutions. His passion is helping people understand technology better so they can make educated decisions. Let Steve help you too! Outside of work, Steve volunteers behind the scenes with several community theater groups in the Washington, DC suburbs. In addition, he and his wife of 16 years share the hobbies of international travel, photography, and working in stained glass. MCSE, MCP+I, MCT, Certified Pre-installation Specialist

Peter Gallagher Dallas, TX Check back for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		Peter Gallagher joined Microsoft in October of 1998. He started out supporting the Windows 9x platform until the 2000 timeframe. He then moved to the Small Business Server support team where he supported SBS 4.0 thru SBS 2003 R2. Peter’s decision to join the TS2 team was a natural extension of his forming of the DFW SBS Users Group in 2004. He enjoys working with Microsoft Partners around the Small Business Server product. In Peter’s spare time he enjoys cycling, playing XBOX, drinking fruity drinks on sandy beaches (little umbrellas are optional) and goofing around with technology.

Larry Garcia		Over the past 18 years, Larry Garcia presented more than 1,000 business process and technology seminars, conferences, and technical training courses related to Microsoft technologies. Throughout his ten years with Microsoft, Larry has maintained his focus on business solutions for Partners, business owners, and information workers. Larry has an MCSE, with a focus on Windows networking, administration, performance tuning, and information worker productivity combined with 20 years of experience in training and instructional design covering software and technical competencies. With over five years of experience with financial and business management solutions, one of Larry’s passions includes developing intranet solutions with Microsoft SharePoint technologies. An accomplished lecturer and regularly sought after to deliver business solutions and technical training, Larry has been a featured speaker at a wide variety of technical conferences, business expositions, trade shows, CPE courses, and users groups. During his tenure at Microsoft, Larry spent three years with the Microsoft Premier Support Services group managing support services for enterprise customers. When he’s not working, Larry enjoys sports, home improvement projects, and spending time with his two sons in a variety of outdoor activities.

Ron Grattopp Tulsa, OK Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>> Listen to my welcome message >>>		Ron is based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Formerly with MicroAge and ComputerLand, Ron joined Microsoft in 1997 and has been with the TS2 team since 2003. Prior to joining TS2, he spent more than five years as a Systems Engineer/Technology Specialist for Microsoft’s South Central District doing technical sales presentations for accounts across the customer spectrum, from small businesses to major enterprises, even education and government. He has worked with Microsoft operating systems since the mid 1980s (and remembers working with Windows v1.x using a PC with extended and expanded RAM), and became an MCSE/MCT in 1995. Ron’s primary technical focus is around the Windows platform; including all the server and desktop operating systems as well as Active Directory, Terminal Services, Group Policy, Security, and Management. And FYI, in a life prior to all that, he spent time in the USAF as a fighter pilot and jet trainer instructor and has traveled to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.


Mike Marshall Dallas, TX Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		Mike Marshall has been a Microsoft manager for over five years, joining the company in February of 2000. He managed Enterprise Server Support Teams for NT Domains and NT IP. Then he took on Windows 2000 Server Networking Teams. Mike moved into a Group Manager Role to manage the U.S. and Canadian Launch of Windows XP and then back into the Enterprise Server Support Team. He currently manages the TS2 Seminar Team and is based out of Las Colinas (Irving), Texas. Prior to joining Microsoft, Mike worked in several management and individual contributor roles. He is a 14-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and boasts that he is lucky enough to have stood on every continent in the world at least once!

Sharjeel Noor Los Angeles, CA Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		Sharjeel Noor graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) and joined Microsoft as a Partner Technology Specialist with the TS2 team. At USC, he majored in Computer Engineering and International Relations and graduated with a SAP certification. Sharjeel previously worked for JPL, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Internet Group and Bertelsmann Media Services, focusing mainly on wireless control communication interfaces, corporate deployment of ERP software, mobile content delivery and data warehousing solutions. In his current role, he travels throughout the United States delivering talks to Microsoft Partners to help them foster a closer relationship with Microsoft, understand the programs and incentives available to them through Microsoft to compete more effectively and therein realize their full potential. Sharjeel and the TS2 team are firmly committed to the development of strong relationships with our Partners and hope to see you at one of his future talks.

Charles Van Heusen Dallas, TX Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>> Listen to my welcome message >>>		Charles Van Heusen started with Microsoft in 1998. The last 4 and a half years was spent focusing on the Small and Medium Business Partner Community as a Partner Technology Specialist on the TS2 team. His primary territories are in Texas and Louisiana. Adhering to his roots, Charles has strong ties to the System Builder community since that is where he began his IT career in the early 90’s. Charles began at Microsoft in the Microsoft Messaging Support team in Las Colinas, Texas, specializing on Exchange Client Support with Exchange 5.0; later moving onto the Alliance Support team which dedicated support to Fortune 500 companies. When the opportunity arose to work with Partners in the Small Business space, the decision was easy. Charles looks forward to the next 5 years in the SMS&P space where he hopes to continue focus on the Partner community. In his spare time, Charles is an active member in the Keller Masonic Lodge and the Keller Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). You may find him camping and bow hunting with his son or online playing Halo.

Bryan Von Axelson York, PA Click for my blog >>> Listen to my welcome message >>>		Spending 15 years in the industry before joining Microsoft Bryan brings real-world experience to his presentations. During his career he has worked for fortune 500 companies such as Franklin Covey and MCI. Most recently Bryan spent time as the Technical Director for a couple Certified Partners, helping to build the business and oversee all Technical Projects. He has also spent several years at Microsoft on the TechNet team focusing on the IT-Professional. A former MCT Bryan is passionate about presenting technology solutions and interacting with the partner community. During his presentations he demonstrates ways we can all work smarter through Technology and Solutions. In addition to his Microsoft credentials and certifications, Bryan has been a national speaker for the tax software industry, he's participated in several business and computer radio shows, and he presented a one-hour SQL Server webcast that reached over 800 people a week for 10 consecutive weeks. Bryan brings infectious enthusiasm, excitement, and most importantly, hands-on knowledge to his TechNet presentations. He grew up in Indianapolis and has a life-long fascination with auto racing. If the track came calling, he'd love to handle the tech needs of a NASCAR or IRL racing team.

Woody Walton Kansas City, MO Click for my blog >>> Presenter Spotlight >>>		Woody has been with Microsoft for over 7 years. He is currently a Partner Technology Specialist on the TS2 Team. Prior to joining TS2, Woody supported and trained Microsoft’s retail channel partners; delivered both consumer, IT, and product launch events & seminars; worked in the Windows product group; and helped numerous enterprise customers as a consultant with Microsoft Consulting Services all prior to joining the TS2 Team. Woody calls Kansas City home; and before Microsoft he worked there as a sales representative for a regional system builder focusing on fault tolerant solutions. He is a veteran of the United States Army and holds a BA in History from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Rob Waggoner		Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, Rob Waggoner has been with Microsoft for more than ten years. After seven years at a private insurance company as a developer, Rob joined Microsoft in Las Colinas. Rob spent his first eight years at Microsoft as a TAM supporting some of our largest global customers and moved his family to Nashville five years ago to be an onsite TAM. Throughout the past three years, he has served as an ATS supporting customers in the Tennessee Territory. Rob and his wife, Becky, recently celebrated their 20th anniversary. They have one 17-year-old daughter, Lizz, one dog, and two cats. In their spare time, they enjoy camping and motorcycling as a family.