Stephen Buckhout is Senior Manager of Shareholder Services at Synopsys, Inc. where he is responsible for the administration of all company equity compensation and benefit programs worldwide. Continuously expanding its global presence, often through acquisitions, Synopsys now has employee populations in 30 countries. The company received a GEO Award earlier this year for Best Use of Technology by a Company with Less than 10,000 Employees. He has worked as an equity compensation professional for the past 17 years, 15 years for issuers and 2 for a vendor providing administration services for outsourced clients; and previously worked for a transfer agent doing mergers and acquisitions. Stephen achieved Certified Equity Professional certification in 2001 and currently serves on the Planning Committee of the Northern California GEO Chapter. His speaking experience includes GEO, NECF, the Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI) Symposium, the E*TRADE Directions conference and National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP) chapter events.