Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association (SIPA) invites you to our monthly event on June 5th, 2004.

While most of the portals and e-tailers cater to the needs of main-stream population, there are several niche markets which are not adequately served by these. For example, the growing ethnic population in north America - which has quite different and broader needs in terms of content as well as products and services. This is where ethnic portals and e-tailers have carved a comfortable niche for themselves and will continue to grow their market-share - perhaps at a faster pace compared to their main-stream counterparts.

Please join us for this month's event as our panel of experts review the details of this new trend of the market and what's to come in 2004.

Jon Rosen started programming computers at the tender age of 14, in the pre-PC era when, unlike today, programming was not typically a domain for teenagers. He has over 30 years of information systems industry experience including stints with major software companies (Teradata, Red Brick Systems, Intuit, Candle Corporation, Sterling Software) as well as running his own relational database consulting and tools company (Database Connections) for almost 10 years. While at Teradata, he served as an alternate to the ANSI SQL Standards Committee and was a major proponent for the inclusion of the CASE statement in the SQL language. For the past three years, he has been with Walmart.com, initially as Manager of Database Systems and most recently as Director of Testing and Test Engineering. In his "spare" time, he is the Artistic Director for OpenStage Repertory Theater, a musical theater company based in San Francisco where he is currently directing the hilarious musical comedy, Nunsense A-Men.

Raj Baronia has over 20 years of experience in media and information technologies, project management, along with a unique combination of skills and background in the media and entertainment industry. Raj was honored by the National Republican Congressional Committee with 'Businessman of the Year Award' in 2003.

Raj is the founder of INDOlink - the largest online media network catering to expatriate Indians and India-enthusiasts in North America. INDOlink, now in its eighth successful year, has been featured on CNN, BBC, New York Times, NewsWeek, and many other internationally renowned TV shows, news-papers and magazines. INDOlink was also nominated by MICROSOFT in 1997 for the "BEST INDIAN WEB-SITE".

Raj is a well-known figure in the Indo-American community, and is actively involved in various professional groups, as well as grass-roots community organizations. He works closely with technology professionals, media personnel as well as entrepreneurs; and advises them on a wide variety of issues.

Raj, a post-graduate from USC Los Angeles, came to the USA in 1982 for pursuing advanced studies in computer engineering. Prior to USC, he obtained his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur - one of the most prestigious institutes of advanced learning in India.

Raj began his career in the silicon-valley in 1984 at the Fairchild-Schlumberger Research Center, where he pioneered the software for real-time 3D graphics and digital image processing. Subsequently, he joined NASA Ames Research Center in 1987 where he managed a group of engineers and scientists developing the cutting-edge multi-media technology for visual simulation, virtual reality and human-computer-interface. During his 10-year tenure as ‘Rocket Scientist' at NASA, Raj won numerous awards for his leadership, managerial and technical excellence. He also won the most prestigious "NASA Software of the Year Award" in 1994, one of the highest civilian awards for scientific achievement.

Besides his illustrious technical career, Raj also has had various stints in the media and entertainment world. He has been serving on the advisory boards of National Association of Newspaper Editors (based in Washington, DC); and San Jose Mercury News (largest newspaper in San Francisco Bay Area). While at USC he was associate editor of the university newsletter, and founded the India Association, a legacy that still continues under his mentorship. Raj also co-produced and directed many TV programs for IIT-Campus TV network.

Indeed, INDOlink was the ideal culmination of Raj's passion for media and arts, combined with his exemplary professional background in software, multi-media and information technologies - truly "The Best of Both Worlds!"

Raj has been a resident of California since 1982. He lives in San Ramon with his wife and two children.