Free Conference in WA: TechFest 2016

Thuan Nguyen is currently Executive Vice President for the AVID Center, a global nonprofit organization based in San Diego dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities. He is also the Managing Member of Sound Strategy Technology Group, a consulting firm focused on supporting school districts with their technology needs. Thuan has been involved in the educational technology space for over 20 years.

Thuan has participated in numerous case studies by Microsoft, Cisco, HP, Intel, Absolute Software, and Network World and was featured in F5 World’s cover story for its inaugural edition in 2006. These case studies and articles have focused on Thuan’s work with instructional technologies, one-to-one computing, wireless technologies, network design strategies, VPN technologies, web technologies, application virtualization, and strategic planning. Thuan’s leadership has been profiled in Tech and Learning by HP and Intel, Ed Week, the Atlantic, and Geekwire. Thuan has also presented at numerous local, national, and international conferences on technology best practices.

In 2000, Thuan was recognized by Converge Magazine as a “Shaper of Our Future” for his work in developing the first educational fiber Metropolitan Area Network (“MAN”) for the greater Seattle area. Thuan’s MAN design is still in use today as the primary backbone for schools, libraries, police, fire, and other governmental agencies in King County.

He was named a Computerworld Honors Program Laureate in 2008, was selected as one of the National School Boards Association’s ‘20 to Watch’ for 2008, and was named as one of the 100 most important people in education technology as part of Tech & Learning’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2010. Thuan has also worked on two projects permanently archived in the research collection of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History.

In 2013, Thuan’s work received recognition from The Center for Digital Education, The National School Public Relations Association, The One-to-One Institute, and Project RED for web technologies, branding and communication to the community, student technology, and a one-to-one project. Thuan’s team also received the national CoSN Team Award and was recognized by the National School Board Association in 2014.

In 2015, Thuan was honored by the Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) as the Outstanding Technology Leader of the Year.

In the last few years, Thuan has managed the implementation of a district-wide learning management system and curriculum management system, established a district-wide One-to-One program for 13,000 middle and high school students, and managed the construction of a 60-rack megawatt data center. In the last five years, Thuan has developed and implemented technology plans in eight school districts located both within and beyond Washington State. Thuan has also served on advisory boards for Absolute Software, Adobe Systems, Cisco Systems, HP Systems, Microsoft, and SchoolCIO. Thuan’s executive experience extends beyond the world of IT; he has also managed security, environmental services, communications and public relations, and building operations and served in interim executive roles in human resources, payroll, accounting, and finance.

As a former refugee and ELL student, Thuan brings a unique perspective to his work and is personally driven to ensuring that today’s students have opportunities for success through technology. As part of this mission, Thuan developed an internship program that affords thousands of students the opportunity to gain hands-on technical experience. His passion for bridging the digital divide led him to spearhead an initiative to distribute thousands of surplus technologies to underserved students and families.

Full schedule Breakout Sessions