The Story of SF New Tech

If SF New Tech had a heartbeat, Greg Viloria was one of its steady rhythms. Known across the community as @SocialGreg, he was our production Swiss Army knife — handling video, audio, interviews, logistics, and everything in between. Greg was never just a technician; he was a storyteller. He knew how to coax insight from founders right after they left the stage, how to make a room feel electric, and how to turn a messy live moment into a perfect highlight reel.

He frequently reported under KSVN-TV and Nerd Stalker, often collaborating with Adolfo Foronda on interviews and tech coverage. Between shows, he'd stay late to archive footage, clean gear, or capture one last quote long after the crowd had gone home. His energy was bottomless and his focus unshakable.

Greg also hit the road with us on the New Tech Tour, managing everything behind the curtain — gear, local logistics, AV emergencies, and documentation. He made the chaos of production look easy.

A true polymath, Greg blended technical mastery with empathy and curiosity. His post-show work with Liberty Madison created the perfect yin-yang: his precision and composure balanced by her fire and flair. Together, they transformed wrap-ups into living conversations, not canned interviews.

Greg's background spans from Applied Materials to Founders Space mentorship, and his education (M.A. in Organization & Leadership, USF; B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology, Cogswell) gave him the structured mind that kept SFNT running at a professional clip.

"He was the quiet force who made sure the story didn't end when the demo was over — it was just beginning."

If Greg was the engine, Liberty was the spark. Known across the Bay as #ThatTechGirl, Liberty Madison brought charisma, warmth, and unfiltered enthusiasm to every SF New Tech event. She and Greg co-hosted the post-show recaps — interviews filled with laughter, opinions, and a dose of friendly chaos. She also led our legendary New Tech Crawls, ushering packs of geeks through the streets of San Francisco with the kind of energy that made strangers friends by night's end.

Her career as a tech influencer, media host, and connector has only expanded since. Liberty calls herself the "Oprah of Silicon Valley," and for good reason — she embodies the mix of curiosity, authenticity, and hustle that defines the best of the Bay.

Wherever there was a camera, Jimmy wasn't far behind. He'd arrive early — always with a new piece of gear — and start testing, calibrating, tweaking. Over time, Jimmy became the quiet architect of SF New Tech's visual memory. Nearly all the pro-shot videos in our archive exist because of him.

Jimmy handled multi-camera shoots, live switching, and post-production with stunning precision. His editing was frame-perfect, his branding consistent, and his sense of pacing cinematic. Through his KSVN-TV network on YouTube, Jimmy transformed raw footage into polished, shareable media — complete with overlays, lower-thirds, and structured playlists. He made SF New Tech look like what it was becoming: a serious launchpad.

Today, Jimmy continues leading innovation in immersive and virtual production as General Manager at Pagoni VR, part of The Glimpse Group. His career remains rooted in visual storytelling — the same instinct that made our events shine.

"If Greg made it feel live, Jimmy made it last forever."

Some called him the Dave McClure clone — in the best way possible. Matthew Gonzales was SF New Tech's co-MC and instigator-in-chief, the guy who knew exactly which buttons to push to keep the room on fire. Between demos, he delivered quick, pithy observations — sometimes provocative, always sharp — that turned filler into fuel.

A former Marine, Matthew brought a rare blend of discipline and irreverence. He was the first to show up, last to leave, and never missed a beat. Founders respected him for his honesty and integrity — he didn't sugarcoat feedback, and that authenticity made him indispensable.

He had an uncanny ability to keep a room balanced — equal parts fun and focus. When the energy dipped, he'd jolt it back to life. When founders were nervous, he'd center them. His presence helped define the SFNT experience: spontaneous, inclusive, a little chaotic, but always electric.

"He was the pulse between demos — the connective tissue that made it a show, not just a showcase."

When SF New Tech expanded into the food and agtech world, Russel Climento-Estardo was the catalyst. He coined the name "FoodBytes," designed the first logo, and built its digital presence from scratch. Where SFNT was about live events, FoodBytes became a platform — one that connected startups, investors, and corporates in sustainable food innovation.

Russel cleaned up our socials, crafted messaging, and made the brand make sense online. His eye for narrative and detail gave FoodBytes its early identity, helping it evolve into the global stage it later became.

Today, Russel remains a trusted community builder and innovation leader — still driven by the same creative energy that made him essential in those early days.

"Russel didn't just design the brand. He gave it a voice."

During the FoodBytes era, JP Bulow was our field general. He helped organize events, recruit startups and sponsors, and ensure every lineup was packed with potential. His hustle and people skills kept the engine running — especially in the crucial prep weeks when every detail mattered.

Today, JP leads operations at Beck & Bulow, one of the fastest-growing sustainable meat companies in the U.S., specializing in grass-fed buffalo, elk, wild boar, and wagyu. His transition from community builder to industry leader perfectly mirrors the SFNT spirit — turning ideas into impact.

"JP was always in the mix — connecting people, closing loops, and making sure no opportunity went cold."

Sandra Ponce de Leon was one of the earliest SF New Tech supporters — and later, one of its most capable stewards. When Myles stepped away to lead programming at RocketSpace, Sandra took the reins, curating events, recruiting founders, and keeping the SFNT calendar humming.

She also took the stage herself, presenting Trunx, the photo-storage startup she co-founded — a perfect embodiment of what SF New Tech stood for: creators stepping up to share their vision.

Sandra has long been a champion for environmental sustainability, clean oceans, and Latina representation in tech. A driving force behind Latina Geeks, she's combined marketing, advocacy, and entrepreneurship in everything she does. Today, she splits her time between projects in sustainability and her home base in Tulum, Mexico, continuing to live the values of innovation, connection, and purpose.

"Sandra was the bridge — between founders and causes, technology and humanity."