Biography

Steve Athanas has been in the IT industry longer than he’s been able to drive. Through a 25-year up-through-the-ranks career in IT, Steve has experienced multiple technology revolutions. Currently serving as the Associate Chief Information Officer at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Steve is responsible for the overall architecture, design, and operations of infrastructure for the university's 25,000 stakeholders.

Starting out his career in manufacturing, Steve quickly realized that he wanted to spend his time in the office serving the greater good instead of exclusively enriching shareholders. Very quickly, Steve switched his focus to education, citing the difference it made in his life as a first-generation college student.

Steve's biggest passion is helping technologists grow in their careers, which fuels his energy behind the VMware User Group (VMUG). Steve currently serves as President of the global VMUG organization, a 150,000 member strong professional organization which strives to maximize members’ use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge sharing, training, collaboration, and events.

Steve resides in the Boston, Massachusetts area with his wife of 15 years and two school-aged children who keep challenging him to improve academic technology for the next generation of leaders.