Thronton May, Futurist and Computerworld Columnist
Thornton May is a respected and well-connected practitioner of the science of man [a.k.a. - anthropology] specializing in tribal behaviors associated with technology selection and use. His insights are simultaneously humorous, brutal and frequently life-changing. He tickles our funny bone while simultaneously going for the behavioral jugular. He believes organizations and individuals are just now approaching a critical tipping point in their relationship to technology.

Thornton believes the best days for technology and technologists lie in our future. He refuses to submit to the vitality-sucking mind set that organizations are exhausted by big visions and grand dreams.

Thornton has served as the contributing IT Futurist at the World Bank, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Urban Markets Initiative [The Brookings Institution] and the Sanitation Supply and Wholesalers' Association.

Thornton maintains an active presence in the rapidly changing fields of telecommunications/wireless/entertainment by lecturing/researching at the Science Advisory Board at Motorola; the Business Institute at Ericsson [Sweden] the executive council at Telia Sonora [Sweden]; the National Health Services [United Kingdom]; and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation [world's largest health-focused philanthropy].

Gregory Smith, Chief Information Officer, World Wildlife Fund
Gregory S. Smith, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, joined WWF in January 2001. Previously, he was with the American Association of Retired People (AARP) in Washington, D.C., where he directed software development, e-business, and business intelligence activities. Prior to joining AARP, Mr. Smith was with Sallie Mae, where he directed automation for the Corporate Finance Division and two subsidiaries, and also was a principal consultant in the Management Consulting Solutions group at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Smith is the author of "Straight to the Top: Becoming a World-Class CIO." He has published several articles, including "Talking at the Top of the World" in CIO magazine, along with a variety of technology topics in eWeek and LAN Times. Mr. Smith received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and an M.S. in Business from The Johns Hopkins University, where he serves as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education, Graduate Programs.