Alan Hakimi has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry. He joined Microsoft in 1996 as a consultant within Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS), where he has advised industry executives from several Fortune50 companies, delivering innovative business solutions using enterprise architecture. In his current role in Microsoft's Enterprise Strategy Practice, Mr. Hakimi consults with large oil and gas, retail, and high-tech manufacturing companies to improve their business efficiency and effectiveness through the application of technology. He also leads Microsoft's Worldwide Enterprise Architecture Community, helping advance the discipline internally. Mr. Hakimi has architect certifications from Microsoft (MCA-Infrastructure), the International Association of Software Architects (CITA-P), and Open Group as a Distinguished Enterprise Architect; is a member of the Association of Enterprise Architects (AEA) and the IEEE; and sits on certification boards for the Open Group and the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). He has a BS from the University of California at Davis in computer engineering. He and his wife and two children currently reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. In his spare time, Mr. Hakimi enjoys cycling, hiking, making music, cooking, and studying philosophy. He can be reached at alan.hakimi at microsoft dot com.