Chris Fuson – Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

My name is Chris Fuson, and I work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where I serve as the Group Lead for the National Center for Computational Sciences’ User Assistance Group and as the Program Manager for a NOAA partnership. Cray systems have played a large role in my career—from the T3E and X1 to the XT and EX lines. I’ve supported researchers across multiple Cray programming environments, played a role in system procurements, and helped ensure projects remained on budget. Since attending my first CUG meeting in 2013, it has become the conference I look forward to most each year. I’ve had the opportunity to present papers, lead and participate in BOF sessions, and was honored to receive the CUG Best Paper award in 2015. CUG has provided invaluable networking opportunities and fostered collaboration across sites. I’ve been proud to give back by serving on the program committee, chairing sessions, and leading the PEAD Special Interest Group for the past four years. During my time as chair, PEAD has grown into a half-day event, with this year’s meeting featuring presenters from HPE and nine member sites. I am running for CUG Treasurer because I am committed to the future of the organization. I believe my background—including budget management, program oversight, and leadership roles at multiple HPC conferences such as SC—positions me well for this role. CUG is a vital part of our community, and I would be honored to participate in its continued growth and success.

Candidate for Secretary

Tim Robinson – Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS)

Hi, I’m Tim Robinson – HPC Platform Service Manager and Software Engineer at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre – and I’m excited to put myself forward as a candidate for Secretary of the Cray User Group Board. Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, I now call Lugano, Switzerland home. I’ve been part of the CUG community for over 15 years, starting with my first conference in Seattle back in 2007, while working in Manchester for the UK’s national HPC service. Since moving to Switzerland in 2008, I’ve had the privilege of helping users and communities make the most of a wide range of Cray systems, from XT, XE, XMT, and XC, to our latest Grace Hopper-based HPE Cray EX Supercomputer, Alps. I’ve attended 11 of the last 12 CUG conferences and have been an active member of the Program Committee throughout. I previously led the PEAD Special Interest Group and currently co-chair the Editorial Committee overseeing our collaboration with journal publishers. CUG means a great deal to me – both the conference and the incredible community behind it – and I’d love the opportunity to give back more by serving as your Secretary. I’m committed to strengthening our community, ensuring clear and effective communication from the board, and supporting a culture of transparency and collaboration. Thanks so much for considering me!

Candidates for Director At Large (DAL)

Two DAL positions are open this cycle. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Juan Herrera – EPCC

I am a Software Architect at EPCC. I serve as the training lead for ARCHER2, the UK’s National Supercomputer service. My passion for HPC drives me to share my knowledge with the community through my training role and various outreach activities. Working at a centre that provides ARCHER2 has allowed me to engage with users, equipping them with the skills to utilise HPC efficiently and intelligently.

My journey with CUG began in 2019 when I introduced a monitoring tool developed in collaboration with the Cray Centre of Excellence for ARCHER. This experience highlighted CUG as an exceptional platform for connecting with colleagues from HPC centres worldwide, exchanging information, and sharing best practices. Since then, I have contributed to the technical program and attended CUG events whenever possible. My involvement deepened in 2022 when I joined the CUG Program Committee, helping to curate the technical program. In 2023, I was honoured to be elected to the Director at Large position.

Over the past two years, I have learned and collaborated with the CUG board members, and I am eager to continue this journey. I am running for re-election to the Director at Large position to further enhance CUG’s value as a conference. CUG offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the systems we maintain and use daily, fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone can contribute and make a significant impact. I am committed to ensuring CUG’s continued success and growth in the future.

Ben Lenard – Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

Ben oversees the administration and enhancement of database systems within the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF) supercomputing environment. These databases play a crucial role in supporting key facility services, including job scheduling, job accounting, and business intelligence. He has presented at the Cray Users Group and various Db2 events.

Beyond his daily responsibilities, Ben is a dedicated advocate for ALCF and computer science, volunteering for initiatives such as the Hour of Code and Argonne’s public open house. Before joining ALCF, he spent over a decade working for one of the largest financial firms in the U.S. and also held a position at Northern Illinois University. Ben holds both a Master’s degree and an MBA from Northern Illinois University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer and Information Sciences at DePaul University, expected to be completed in 2026.

Passionate about education, Ben serves as adjunct faculty at DePaul University, where he developed an Introduction to HPC course. He is also an active participant in the Tapia Conference, assisting with various judging activities. Committed to outreach, he frequently speaks at schools during the Hour of Code and volunteers at STEM festivals.

Ben aspires to become a Director at Large to further support and strengthen the HPC community with CUG.