Five new members have been appointed to the board of directors of Tech Titans, the innovation hub for entrepreneurs, universities, and corporations and the largest technology trade association in Texas.

Tech Titans said each new board member is elected to a two-year term, joining a board of 40 individuals representing all sectors of the North Texas technology industry.

Tech Titans represents a quarter million employees through its 300 member companies.

Paul Bendel

“Tech Titans is most appreciative and grateful to these five new board members who, along with more than 40 other board members and local technology leaders, provide our growing organization with the guidance and advocacy to help us grow and bring value to our members,” Executive Director Paul Bendel said in a statement.

Meet the new board members

Tech Titans said that joining the leadership team for 2024 are Lisette Mendez, vice president of finance and Latin American controller for AT&T; Ben Kazora, business development manager for SMS InfoComm; Riyaz Muhammad, senior manager for corporate tech and innovations for MuRata Electronics; Arek Skuza, U.S. consulting and principal AI strategist for Future Processing; and Vikesh Gumpalli, the M&A transformation and strategic initiatives leader for NTT Data.

Mendez has been with AT&T for 27 years and, as the vice president of finance and Latin American controller, oversees a scaling mobility business of $3 billion of revenue. She is responsible for financial statements, compliance with accounting and regulatory standards, and a strong control structure to mitigate risks. Mendez focuses on encouraging technology development in small businesses and the community.

Kazora is a business development manager for SMS InfoComm, a leading provider of information and communication technology solutions and services responsible for relationship building, strategic planning, capacity building, and people management to establish and maintain partnerships with prospective clients, suppliers, and vendors across the globe. Kazora creates and implements effective marketing strategies, identifies and secures funding opportunities, and introduces cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational capabilities and efficiency.

Muhammad is the senior manager for corporate tech and innovations for Murata Electronic, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of advanced electronic materials, leading edge electronic components, and multi-functional, high-density modules. Muhammad has more than 30 years of broad technology experience in the semiconductor, software, and hardware industries. He has lived and worked in India, Japan, and the United States, where he has worked with industry-leading customers.

Skuza is U.S. consulting and principal AI strategist for Future Processing, a solutions provider headquartered in Poland. As a core leader at Future Processing’s Dallas-based Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Monetization, Skuza helps organizations transform their AI ambitions into real-world results. A results-oriented and pragmatic CxO-level thought leader, he has more than 17 years of experience leading and delivering complex technology solutions, projects, and products.

Gumpalli is the M&A transformation and strategic initiatives leader for NTT Data, a global innovator of IT and business services. Gumpalli has served in several roles during his five years at NTT Data including vice president corporate development and vice president global sales strategy and operations.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.