JOEL P. THOMAS, CNA
www.linkedin.com/in/joelpthomas
***********@*****.***
SUMMARY
20+ years experience, self motivated, collaborative, engaging. Increase revenue and drive organizational improvements. Experience with building and leading empowered teams with integrity and a strong
customer focus. Strong understanding and leading organizations during merger and turnaround transitions. Industry expertise include: sales, marketing, healthcare, distribution, warehouse, transportation, VAR, Engineering, Consultative, Government and non-profit.
“Joel Thomas is the consummate professional Director of Information Technology. His technical knowledge and competency are exceeded only by his dedication to excellence and unselfish team attitude. His ability to support DB Aviation's systems and growth were critical to the Company's success and recognition in Crain's inaugural “FastFifty”. I strongly recommend Joel as a professional who you can rely on to adapt to the needs of your organization 24/7”. - Dave Brittsan, President DB Aviation
Areas of expertise include:
• Executive level expertise
• SAAS implementations
• Strategic alignment (IT & Business)
• Standardize project/program delivery
• Solution integration
• Business relationship management
• Cost containment/reduction
• Results driven operational efficiency.
• Experience building/leading empowered teams with integrity and a strong customer focus.
• Strong understanding of leading organizations during merger and turnaround transitions.
Transitional update:
2015-Present
• Various IT Temporary consultative roles: Government, VAR, Healthcare.
• Family dynamic update, allowing me time-off for family.
• Attending IT leadership networking events/conferences.
• Furthering my education: MS Office, Management/Leadership certification.
Lia Sophia International, Closed global operations
Global, Director of IT
Wood Dale, Illinois 2011–2015
• Responsible for all budgeting, financial management and IT reporting functions, supporting 2000 users, 27,000 advisors and $100 million in revenue.
• Managed a team of professionals over multiple continents assuring cohesion of the global help desk, network infrastructure, e-commerce-Applications.
• Led Cisco telecommunications VoIP, APP development, WLAN, cellular/data circuits, infrastructure, procurement of IT. This provided synthesis for the global IT initiatives.
• Aligned ITIL PCI and penetration test audits for IT/enterprise, this enhanced audit, project and cost savings for notable IT/business transparency.
• Simplified the environment through cloud and virtual solutions. Reducing IT operations costs by 46%, simplifying system administration and offering life cycle efficiencies.
• Formed enterprise infrastructure strategy, which addressed data latency globally for enhanced user proficiency and reduced administrative costs.
• Drove initiative to replicate GNOC, implementing backup disaster recovery telco/data cold and warm site to ensure permanence throughout the enterprise.
• Chaired the IT implementation team responsible for the construction of GNOC/Distribution center. This assured a 62% savings vs. a standard GNOC and provided a self-sustainable green model of excellence.
• Leverage international accoutrements, consolidation of support contracts, managing the strategic and tactical relationships.
• Assured enterprise projects were implemented per policy, SOP, SLA creating a high level (99%) of operational service.
• Created and sustained a diverse culture for continuous staff performance and mentoring, this assured long term employment retention.
DB Aviation. Company sold and relocated
Director of Information Technology
Waukegan, Illinois 2006–2011
• Led austerer measures to financial management, reducing IT costs by 32%.
• Developed a long term IT strategy, this forecasting allowed IT to align succinctly with business respire.
• Established and directed the PMO functions, this alignment allowed IT to remain flexible to the business requirements.
• Led a $1 million dollar integrated MS Dynamics/Business Intelligence software implementation. This project provided enhanced cost forecasting, which increased net profits by 14%.
• Directed a team of support professionals, accountable for the management of the enterprise resource planning, servers, network infrastructure, application software, information security.
• Managed vendor relationships, procured software and hardware purchases, installation and maintenance, inventory and ecommerce deployment strategy.
• Formed and chaired the IT steering committee, which allowed IT to remain agile enough in its technology offerings to synergize with the business goals.
IT positions with various industries 1997 - 2006
Manager of Network Operations
Manager of Information Services
Senior System Engineer Enterprise Messaging
IT coordinator - consultant
Y2K systems prep - consultant
Senior Network Analyst
MIS Engineer
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
DeVry University
Associate of Applied Science Degree Electronics
Magna Cum Laude recipient, 1993
Northeastern Illinois University
Psychology / Linguistics
1989
United States Utility patent holder: 7,040,592
CNA - Certified Novell Administrator
McHenry county business development group
US IT Directors forum
ITDC - IT Directors Club
AITP - Association of IT Professionals
IT Advisory forum