About the Authors

Jim Mazzullo was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joseph and Mary Mazzullo, who operated a small luncheonette on Bath Avenue. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in geology in 1977, and the University of South Carolina, where he earned his doctorate in that same field in 1981.

Jim began his professional career as a research professor and an instructor of geology at Texas A&M University, then worked for a large electric utility company in Portland, Oregon, where he developed, coordinated, and delivered training in SAP and other system and desktop applications.

Jim is now a consulting scientific and technical trainer, curriculum developer, and writer. He lives in Portland with his better half Maria, and their two very spoiled cats, Smokey and Deva. You can learn more about him on his Web site: www.JimMazzullo.com

Peter Wheatley was born in Frankfurt, Germany, the son of career military officer CW4 John (Ret.) and Jean Wheatley. He is a 1993 graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso in management information systems and finance. He also completed his master's degree in business administration at the University of Texas at El Paso in 1995.

Peter began his professional career as a developer for IBM, then continued as an SAP developer and production planning analyst at Compaq. Peter has spent the last seven years employed at SAP America in several roles: consultant, technical consultant manager, and technical solutions architect.

Peter currently oversees SAP implementations as a customer engagement manager in the Southwest region of SAP America. He lives in Houston with his wife, Ana, and their three wonderful sons, John, Austin, and Cameron.