About the Author

Carole Owens
Chair, Quest Oracle Community
Executive Director, Supply Chair, Advent Health

As I reflect on my tenure with Quest Oracle Community, both as a board member and, most recently as Chair, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching experiences and the resilient spirit of our community. Serving in this capacity has been a privilege, and witnessing the growth, adaptability, and collaborative efforts of our members has been truly inspiring. This past year has been particularly noteworthy, marking a period of continued recovery, building momentum, and impactful initiatives. As I share this summary of Quest’s accomplishments in 2023, I am reminded of the collective strength and shared commitment that define our remarkable community.

2023 has been a transformative year for Quest Oracle Community, and my role as Chair has allowed me to witness the incredible strides we made in bringing our community together. Quest has not only rebounded but thrived since the setbacks of the pandemic, building momentum within various user communities, and launching new initiatives.

One of the pivotal moments this year was the resounding success of Quest’s BLUEPRINT 4D conference in Dallas, TX. This event, which brought together our Cloud, JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Database & Technology communities, showcased our commitment to providing a leading platform for Oracle ERP learning, connection, and collaboration.

We also celebrated the return of in-person events, like INFOCUS for JD Edwards customers, and witnessed unprecedented virtual attendance at events such as RECONNECT Dive Deep and Cloud Apps Week. The success of these gatherings speaks to the resilience and adaptability of our community members, who continue to engage with enthusiasm and commitment.

Quest welcomed 133 new companies and over 1,000 individuals to the community in 2023, alongside 43 new vendor member companies. While we still hold a strong and active membership with JD Edwards and PeopleSoft customers, this year, we saw a larger number of Cloud users join the community. This was partially due to our Cloud Advisory Boards gaining traction, our Cloud program at BLUEPRINT being so attractive and our year-round Cloud programming. This growth reflects the thriving and expanding nature of the Quest Oracle community.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a focal point in 2023. We formalized the DEI Taskforce into a standing committee, expanded DEI programming at BLUEPRINT 4D, and provided valuable resources for our members by launching the DEI Content Center. The partnerships forged with organizations at the intersection of technology and DEI, coupled with fundraising efforts, demonstrate our dedication to making a positive impact. For more information on our DEI programs this year, read the DEI Year-End Summary Blog by DEI Committee Chair, Jesse Carrillo.

We also want to express our gratitude to the members, event attendees, vendor companies, and Oracle for their continued support. Quest’s collaborative relationship with Oracle teams and partner contributions plays a crucial role in the community’s success. Furthermore, appreciation is extended to the volunteers, whose contributions are vital to the community’s success.

Speaking of a flourishing community and volunteers, it is important to share that the Quest membership elects a board of directors each year to lead the Quest organization. The Quest Board is made up of Oracle customers, using Cloud applications, JD Edwards or PeopleSoft who volunteer their time to set the organization’s direction, ensure necessary resources and provide oversight of Quest’s progress towards achieving its mission.

The following board members were re-elected to the Quest Board of Directors to a two-year term beginning in January 2024:

• Jesse Carrillo, The Howard Hughes Corporation
• Becky Ivy, Baylor University
• Josh Stauffer, HarbisonWalker International
• Mark Thomas, Hays Recruiting Specialists

Following a thorough vetting process by the Quest Nominating Committee, the following community members have been newly elected as board members for a two-year term, beginning January of 2024:

• Melanie Trudell, The Wendy’s Company
• Venkat Maganti, MDC Holdings
• Liz Smith, J. Paul Getty Trust
• Andrew Roark, Marriott International

We were excited to appoint a very energetic member of our community, Chandra Wobschall, to the Quest Board of Directors through the mid-term replacement process. Chandra’s appointed term will run through December 31, 2024, when she will become eligible for re-election.

And finally, the following board members will be returning under their current term:

• Bryan Brewer, Visual Comfort & Co.
• Madhuri Jha, Honeywell
• John Matelski, Dekalb County
• Rod McDonald, Aimbridge Hospitality
• Ken Piddington, US Silica
• Natalie Webb, Samaritan’s Purse
• Carole Owens, AdventHealth – Ex Officio
• Tony Schollum, Kaiser Permanente – Ex Officio

We also held Quest’s officer elections. Bryan Brewer, Visual Comfort & Co., will be assuming the duties of Chair of the Board this coming January. Joining Bryan as members of the executive committee from January 1 of 2024 through December 31, 2024, include:

• Becky Ivy, Baylor University, Vice Chair
• Rod McDonald, Aimbridge Hospitality
• Ken Piddington, US Silica
• Mark Thomas, Hays Recruiting Specialists

Re-elected and newly elected board members, along with the executive committee, promise continued leadership in steering Quest towards its mission.

If you missed attending the Annual Meeting of the Members and want to hear more about Quest’s 2023 accomplishments and upcoming 2024 Programming, members can watch the Meeting of the Members here.

As we look ahead to 2024, the plans and programs are shaped by the invaluable feedback from our members. The surveys conducted in the early fall have provided fresh insights into the priorities of our JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Cloud communities, guiding our programming and events for the upcoming year. BLUEPRINT 4D in Dallas, JD Edwards INFOCUS in Denver, PeopleSoft RECONNECT Dive Deep online, and Cloud Applications Week and other specialized weeks tailored to our community’s needs are on the agenda, promising another year of growth and collaboration.

In closing, I want to express my deep appreciation for the unwavering support of the Quest Oracle Community. It has been an honor to serve as Chair and witness the resilience, dedication, and innovative spirit of our members. The Quest community is not just an association, it is a family of professionals dedicated to mutual growth and success. I encourage all members to actively engage, share their insights, and participate in the various initiatives that make Quest the vibrant and dynamic community it is. Your involvement is not only beneficial for your professional growth but also contributes to the collective strength and knowledge of our community.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of Quest Oracle Community in the years to come.

Warm regards,

Carole Owens