Our members rely on us to solve complex networking and technology issues, drive business transformation, improve services and connect in new ways.

Accordingly, the Edge Executive Team takes full responsibility for delivering persistent value to all facets of the membership through our commitment to excellence and innovation. Value is delivered in the form of a sustainable, long-term vision founded on the effective implementation of four measurable strategic objectives:

  1. Financial Performance
  2. Membership Value
  3. Internal Processes
  4. Organizational Capacity

Effective execution and implementation of our strategic objectives by the Leadership Team successfully positions Edge for the future.

SAMUEL CONN, Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Samuel Conn brings a long history of fostering the advancement of technology in public and private higher education institutions across several focus areas including information technology management, administrative and educational technologies, e-Learning networks, and enterprise transformation. Serving as President and CEO for Edge, he guides the executive management team with over 35 years of combined military, professional, private sector and academic experience in the field of technology and information systems.  He holds an undergraduate (BSci) degree in Business Administration, a graduate (MSci) degree in Computer Information Systems, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Information Systems. By harnessing the potential of digital networks to advance teaching, learning and research, he maintains Edge’s commitment to push the boundaries of innovation and achievement as a national model of excellence for purpose-built research and education networks.

EDWARD CHAPEL, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

A career educator, technology leader and Chief Information Officer at New Jersey’s largest private and second largest public universities for the past twenty years, Dr. Edward Chapel’s commitment to active collaboration with industry partners, peer organizations and the Edge membership serves as a key driver in the advancement of operational effectiveness and strategic objectives of its member organizations. With a focus on enabling digital technologies, he ensures each client solution is value-based, future-focused and engineered to deliver an end-user experience that is unsurpassed. In addition to overseeing the delivery of a high performing network and ecosystem of purpose-built technology assets and applications, his dedication to Edge’s shared services consortium approach and advancing professional development through the Edge Communities of Practice enables New Jersey’s education, healthcare, governmental and corporate enterprises to thrive and grow. Dr. Chapel earned his Ph.D. and Master’s degrees in Sociology from New York University as well as a Baccalaureate degree in American Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

JOE REARDEN

Vice President Administration & Finance, General Counsel, and Chief Financial Officer

Joe Rearden’s approach is based on active collaboration across all facets of Edge’s strategic efforts and disciplines. In addition to managing and monitoring the year’s budget, objectives and deliverables, Joe is the liaison between Edge’s corporate partners and members. His background in finance, project management and compliance enables him to bring a sharp eye to everything from licensing agreements to service agreements to federal funding opportunities for the Edge consortium. Joe has a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and a J.D. from the University of New Hampshire, School of Law.

GREGG CHOTTINER

Vice President for Technology Advancement and Chief Information Officer

Gregg is widely known for his decades of work in technology leadership, mainly in the higher education and government sectors. With extensive experience in systems engineering, Gregg is uniquely equipped to provide executive leadership in emerging technologies, migrations of legacy systems, and solutions to complex business and technology programs and projects. His track record of digital transformation, large-scale business process improvement, cost-containment, and organizational efficiency is unmatched and equally weighted against his ability to build consensus and achieve optimal team performance. With over 20 years of experience in the public and private sector in the roles of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Gregg most recently spent five years as CIO and Vice President for Technology at University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and 10 years as CIO and Vice President of Technology for the State University of New York. Holding an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and a graduate degree in Information Technology Management and Systems, Gregg is well equipped to handle the difficult and complex nature of today’s technical environments. In his role at Edge, Gregg works to advance technology and assist New Jersey CIOs with successful technology initiatives.

CHRISTOPHER R. MARKHAM

Vice President for Information Technology and Economic Advancement

When it comes to the strategy behind return-on-investment for technology spend, Chris applies nearly two decades of education and experience to assist our member institutions with the complexities of cloud, enterprise computing, and educational technologies. Having served in technology support and leadership roles since 2001, he most recently served as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at SUNY Empire State College, where he successfully completed a transition of the institution’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Prior to that role, Chris served as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Florida State College. While in that role, he successfully managed the completion of a $30 million digital transformation effort to enhance operations among the institution’s six campuses and more than 50,000 students. Today, Chris works with Edge member institutions on digital transformation initiatives, information technology leadership, technology service management and the business process re-engineering required to recruit and educate students in today’s digital world. Chris applies his graduate education in economics in concert with his technology background to ensure the value of technology is optimal in its application. Chris currently serves in the United States Army Reserves. Standing ready to assist in the success of our member institutions, more and more Edge members are starting conversations with Chris to leverage Edge’s resources in professional services, learning and teaching technologies, and information technology service management.