Project Manager Management
Resume:
John Berar
Cary, NC ***18
******@**.**.***
Overview
I have more than 25 years experience working in virtually every functional
area of technology. I've been very fortunate to have both broad and deep
skills and experiences. I've been certified with technical certifications
(CNE, MCSE, ITIL) which complement my business and technical based
education.
I began as computer programmer and held various positions with increasing
responsibilities including application developer, local area network
administrator, project manager, consultant, and director. I've designed
and implemented key systems for a variety of organizations and served as
manager and systems integrator for key migrations and implementations
mobilizing project teams of 120+ people. I've implemented traditional
developed software, purchased software, and "Software as a Service" (SaaS)
solutions that meet business needs. My responsibilities have included
ensuring high availability for critical, revenue generating systems. I've
negotiated contracts and have managed the ongoing relationships with
vendors. I've also defined and developed IT objectives, strategic plans,
organizations, and budgets.
My goal is to be instrumental in helping businesses select and implement
technology solutions that align with their business objectives and leverage
their technology investments. I have developed an excellent understanding
of the challenges people face using technology and I ensure implementations
are performed with the end user in mind. I've successfully performed
various projects including consolidation of financial systems, billing
systems, marketing systems, updating desktop, laptop and server operating
systems, and enterprise applications including email, internets and
intranets. I understand how critical good technology can be to an
organization and have created selection processes to ensure business needs
are met.
I am open to travel and have worked virtually from a home office. Please
find my resume attached for your review. I am available at any time to
answer questions or discuss my experience in more detail.
John Berar
306 Allenhurst Place
Cary, NC 27518
919-***-****, ******@**.**.***
Experience
American Express - American Express Technologies (Feb 2009 - Jan 2010)
Director American Express Interactive, Service Deliver and Management
> Responsible for maintaining availability of critical American Express
applications including personalized home page offerings and applying for
credit cards leveraging a team of ~70 highly skilled workers
> Restructured organization and service contracts, streamlined operations,
and reduced costs by 20% while delivering better services and greater,
more predictable availability of applications.
VIF Program - Director Information Technology (Sept 2007 - Feb 2009)
> Responsible for all technology solutions, infrastructure, development, IT
project management and strategy
> Assessed prior failing technology strategy and roadmap, solicited input
across the business and executive management and revised strategy and
roadmap resulting in greater capability, on time delivery of company
strategic projects while reducing ongoing operational IT expense by 25%
and avoiding expected future costs estimated at $1M-$2M per year.
> Partnered with key leaders across organization, assessed needs, and
implemented various solutions to meet their business needs including
solutions for remote workers.
> Conducted IT risk assessments and implemented a number of solutions to
close longstanding operational risks including laptop encryption, data
encryption for web based applications, backup/recovery for servers and
workstations, and proper passwords.
American Express - American Express Technologies (June 2006 - September
2007)
Director Global Corporate Technologies, Service Deliver and Management
> Responsible for defining and meeting service levels for system
availability, problem management, and change management for global
corporate systems including HR, Intranets, payroll, and finance
applications.
> Contracted and managed on shore and off shore teams supporting
applications
> Responsible for contracts and relationships with suppliers of technology
services
> Implemented standard support processes and best practices including
portions of ITIL framework
American Express - Tax and Business Services (February, 2003 - May 2006)
Acquired by RSM McGladrey, Inc. October, 2005
Director of Software Integration
> One of three direct reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for a
$350M accounting and consulting organization. Our management team was
responsible for reducing costs from $24M annually to $18M while improving
overall technology for 3,000 workers.
> Responsible for all software including identifying needs, selecting
software, documenting standards, vendor management, and contract
negotiations. Identified ~$1M in annual savings and was able to reduce
costs annually by $330,000 within the first nine months.
> Implementation projects typically budgeted at $1-$2M dollars were
performed with the end user in mind ensuring that proper communications,
training, support as well as technical implementations were planned to
minimize down time and frustration while managing overall costs, budgets
and time lines. Examples of enterprise wide projects include
consolidation of 56 separate financial systems to one company system and
standardization of revenue generating software applications, web based
tax return tracking systems, secured messaging, wireless messaging, and
electronic messaging.
> Directly responsible for the development of a technology strategy to
improve workers ability to operate outside the office. This strategy
included assessing needs and determining solutions for mobile work
groups, virtual workers, telecommuters and "road warriors".
> Aligned business needs with technology initiatives by working with IT and
business governance boards and department technology committees.
> Consolidated acquired business units' time and billing systems and
properly invested in billing system to match system performance with the
needs of the organization.
> Designed, developed and implemented national training solutions to
provide classroom and virtual technology training.
Plante & Moran, LLP (December, 1997 - February, 2003)
Director of Technology Solutions
> Worked with CIO to define the IT function in order to support a 1,200+
person organization
> Lead three of five functional areas that provided service oriented
technology solutions
. Workstation Management - Defined and implemented new workstation
configurations, testing and updating processes that significantly
increased reliability of ~1,500 workstations resulting in an estimated
annual productivity gain of $1.1M. Streamlined purchasing function
and leveraged volume-licensing programs reducing annual software costs
by $150,000. Managed four direct reports, several contractors, and
budget of $1.5M.
. Application Development - Managed a five-person team that conducted
needs analysis and lead development for Intranet and Internet
applications and web sites. Defined and implemented development
methodology resulting in higher quality, on time and on budget project
completion.
. Business Analyst - Acted as technical advisor and liaison to seven
major business units representing the majority of the organization.
Served as consultant and project manager, conducted needs analysis,
selected technology solutions and developed business case and cost
models. Managed two direct reports and project with budgets up to
$2.5M dollars. Keeping projects on time and on budget resulted in
project savings up to $800,000.
> Played major role in developing and documenting organization's strategic
technology vision and preparing the annual technology plan and budget.
> Managed a number of key technology initiatives including Year 2000
conversion, migration of desktop operating systems, messaging systems,
workflow solutions, and migration of network operating systems with
budgets ranging from $1-2M dollars per project.
> Participated on a number of technology committees including Technology
Strategic Direction Committee, Knowledge Management and Sharing
Committee, and various Technology User Groups.
> Lead technology enterprise wide initiatives encompassing workstations,
servers, HR and email systems.
Education and Certifications
> University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bachelor of Science,
Economics 1986. Specialty courses: CIS/MIS, Statistics, Calculus,
Physics, Chemistry, Business Law, Accounting, and Engineering
> ITIL Certified - Service and Support - 2006
> Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) 1997; Certified Netware
Engineer (CNE) 1991
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