Andy Tran

President

Since earning a B.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, Andy has devoted his entire career to technology with a special affinity for the media and entertainment industry. Andy got an early start in M&E providing consulting services while working as an engineer in the high-performance computing and government markets. The need for industry-specific technology providers became even more apparent while Andy was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Pacific Title and Art Studio. This eventually led to the creation of Alliance Integrated Technology in 2008 where the focus is on creating alliances with customers, manufacturers, and internally while integrating the most technically advanced storage solutions and high-performance computing (HPC).

Notable mentions including working for SGI, making significant contributions as a scientist to JPL/NASA, working with venture capitalists and startups including Adforce which CMGI acquired for $750M, and was Chief Operating Officer and CTO for Pacific Title and Art Studio. Under Andy’s direction, he moved this M&E company into the new digital world. Publications including Post Magazine, SearchStorage.com, eWeekly.com, TechTarget, and Enterprise Networking have featured Andy’s articles. Andy understands the pressures of post-production as he runs his own post-production company in his “spare” time.

Billy Russell

Vice President and CTO

Fortune came to Alliance in 2013 when Billy joined the team. With more than 20 years of experience providing technical leadership in M&E market including Technicolor and Autodesk, and an insatiable quest for the latest advancements in technology Billy ensures our technical team deploys state-of-the-art storage solutions.

Key achievements include:

• built the infrastructure for eight Technicolor global sites
• managed the West Coast postproduction engineering team
• oversaw the build out of large-scale data centers and COLO services
• deployed MetroNet CWDM/WDM solutions including building the largest footprint of Fibre Channel 10G, 40G, and 100G DWDM in LA.

Billy’s experience in emerging technologies such as SDS, NVMe, ROCe, and RDMA enables Alliance to incorporate these technologies into our customers’ solutions. Billy sits on the customer/technical advisory boards for Quantum, Seagate, and Lenovo. Even with all his technology accolades, Billy brings something just as valuable: a winning personality and a commitment to fostering relationships.

Kevin Frand

Sr. Solutions Architect

Kevin’s passion for computers started early while he learned “basic” programming on his Apple IIe. Since that earnest beginning, Kevin earned certifications for Apple, Windows, and UNIX/Linux operating systems in addition to a B.S. from University of California—Davis. With 17 years of experience in the media and entertainment business for production and postproduction companies including EFILM and Technicolor, Kevin has designed, installed, and maintained tape and backup infrastructure including dozens of tape drives, thousands of media cartridges, and petabytes of data for hundreds of full-feature movies. Kevin takes this experience and integrates it into every aspect of his work helping our customers solve their storage and backup challenges.

Blending creativity and extensive technical knowledge, Kevin creates robust and elegant solutions for demanding environments and applications. When Kevin isn’t surrounded by equipment, he enjoys pulling espresso shots, sharpening his black belt Jujitsu skills, or lifting heavy weights at the gym.

Doug Loeb

Sr. Network and Storage Engineer

With ten years of experience in the media and entertainment market including EFILM, Hydraulx VFX, Evergreen Films, and Element Technica and seven technical certifications, Doug knows the demands of the M&E industry. Doug integrates his vast postproduction experience and exceptional problem-solving skills to solve current workflow and network challenges while mitigating future pain with technical foresight. Doug also has six years of experience at the senior level in network, firewall, storage, and video engineering and has designed machine and screening rooms at multiple facilities.

In addition to a deep knowledge of current M&E software, hardware, and networking, Doug’s comprehensive knowledge of Element Technica 3D rigs, lens control, and advanced alignment procedures is a true benefit to our M&E customers who use 3D cinema and commercial production, digital animation workflow, and virtual stage production.

In 2001, Doug earned a certificate in Aviation Maintenance, Airframe, and Powerplant and enjoys his time up in the air.

Alana Sterner

Strategic Account Manager

Most of our customers know Alana and interact with her as she often initiates the needs assessment and begins to build a solution. Alana works directly with manufacturers and distributers to obtain best pricing and manages the entire sales and procurement process. Alana understands the business and has been part of the Alliance family since 2016 and has worked in a variety of roles before earning her current position working with key accounts.

Alana is passionate about technology and has been working in the field since obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science from University of Hawaii-West Oahu and enjoys building strong alliances with customers, manufacturers, and distributors.

Kristina Long

Business Development Manager

Kristina’s original roots in the media and film industry are coming full circle after a long career in real estate sales where building personal relationships is paramount. Her past experience working for ABC Family, Walt Disney Animation, Universal MCA Records, and MTV Networks in the roles of producer, postproduction, and music supervisor, enable her to understand the specific needs and demands while her sales experience and relationship building skills foster strong relationships.

Recently, Kristina earned two technical certificates including Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Foundations – Level 1 from IBM which provide a strong foundation of Big Data concepts and machine learning to better service customers.

Colleen Lee

Business Operations Manager

If you’ve called Alliance, Colleen has greeted you with her warmth and sincerity welcoming you into the Alliance family. After a couple of questions, Colleen passes the baton off to the person who specializes in that area. Every inbound email to Alliance lands in Colleen’s mailbox and ensures a personal response within the same day.

For ten years in her role at Bank of the West as Area Vice President, Client Service Officer in Wealth Management department, Colleen received “outstanding” performance reviews with accolades for her exceptional problem-solving skills, overachievement, and dedication and earned the first “Star Award” for her impeccable customer service. Supporting a top wealth management office within the entire bank and servicing more than 800 clients and their sensitive information, Colleen brings professional, attentive, and refreshing customer service to Alliance.

Colleen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from San Jose State University.

Gabriel Thurau

Jr. Systems Engineer

Gabriel is switching his career focus from the natural environment battling wildfires and building trails, swapping his chainsaws and hand tools for cables and computer equipment. Instead of carrying fire packs and equipment, Gabriel is running cables and installing hardware and software. While Gabriel has numerous certifications in wilderness and first aid, he’s cutting his teeth in the technical world.

Gabriel is no stranger to hard work and learning new skills. As a crew leader and member for Southwest Conservation Camps, Gabriel built 3,083 feet of new tread and maintained/rehabbed 6266 feet of existing trail, installed and maintained 38 drains, 31 rolling-grade dips, built four timber water bars, constructed a 110-square feet rock wall, a 39-square feet timber retaining wall, 47 stone steps, and a 27-feet timber fence, as well as cleared 394 feet of corridors and 55 trees from the trail—at an elevation between 7,000 to 10,000 feet.

Jack Tsai

Controller

Overseeing the overall financial health of AIT, Jack began working with Andy in 2009 assisting with business consulting. As Andy’s business ventures grew over time, Jack became more involved in business analysis and planning as well as handling daily accounting, payroll, monthly reconciliations, tax projections and returns, and employee benefits and retirement planning.

With a BA in Business Economics with Accounting from UCLA, a CPA license, and a Masters of Taxation degree from Golden Gate University, Jack has worked as both a CPA and a financial advisor working with high net-worth individuals and specializing in complex businesses and trusts. Jack started his career with Lucas Horsfall Murphy & Pindroh LLP (LHMP).  At the same time, he worked at LHMP Financial Services where he became a junior partner before launching Tsai Wealth Management in 2009.

Robert “Rob” Yellam

Director of Sales

Krys Benavidez

Administrative Assistant