Global, Technology Executive and Business Developer with unique skills in architecture, strategy, personnel development, and cloud/hybrid/on-premise management, introducing and implementing emerging technology and being a corporate technological visionary. MBA-professional with 12 years of executive and management level experience, leading and building state-of-the-art technology operations for start-up, turnaround and high-growth organizations. Astute negotiator who’s saved millions of dollars in technology costs through strategic partnerships, collaboration and technical innovation. Active Board Member, mentor, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) advisor, and empathetic team developer.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Advanced Group of Companies, Chicago, IL February 2021 – February 2022
Advanced Group serves clients and talent across professional disciplines such as technology, finance & accounting, digital marketing, creative services, human resources, office & operations, clinical development, and healthcare.
Vice President, Information Technology
·Responsible for the global design, installation, and maintenance of the on-premise technology and cloud infrastructure.
·Leadership role requiring both strategic and tactical capabilities, implementing best practices with best-in-class solutions to ensure robust infrastructure solutions for this dynamic environment.
·Orchestrate and lead all activities of server, storage, network, endpoint and other technologies needed for modern, efficient, and effective technology success.
·Responsible for the day-to-day operations of all information security tasks, incident responses, and system configuration.
·Advise and recommend on continuous improvements to the information security program, overseeing compliance efforts, establishing controls and processes in support of data security, PHI, GxP, and other regulatory requirements.
·Lead multiple technology programs (e.g. M365 domain migrations, Okta, AvePoint governance, Proofpoint security, Intune, MCAS, and more).
·Lead global team of Infrastructure Engineers, System Support Analysts, Security Engineers, and 3rd party vendors.
·Diversity & Inclusion Committee Member, focusing on growing cultural awareness.
Kantar, Media Division, Chicago, IL April 2016 – January 2021
A global leader in Television and Search Marketing Intelligence. Kantar, Media Division, is a global leader in media intelligence, providing clients with the data they need to make informed decisions on all aspects of media measurement, monitoring and selection.
Information Technology & Operations Director
·Responsible for all aspects of systems required for the collecting and processing of the world’s largest collection of search marketing intelligence. Using the latest in infrastructure technology - developing new integrations, procedures, policies - dedicated to an organic data ecosystem from our data warehouse to our clients.
·Lead and/or govern SaaS initiatives for production, development and testing across multiple cloud tenants on AWS and Azure.
·Expanded and standardized hybrid infrastructure, data center, and global data collection footprint
·Implemented and maintained Nutanix hyper-converged system for large-scale, virtual, data processing and capacity planning.
·From 1/2019 – 8/2019, held role of Interim VP of Technology, leading an Engineering team of Data and Software Engineers, QA Developers, Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers.
·Responsible for Technology capacity planning, resource planning, budget, capital investments, negotiations, and vendor contracts.
·Global DEI Ambassador, focusing on teaching, training, and mediating.
Mi-Jack Management Company, Hazel Crest, IL April 2013 – December 2015
Global leader in crane manufacturing, distribution, and technology development. MJMC is the corporate service manager for over 20 subsidiary companies in the Lanco International organization.
Information Technology Director Infrastructure Services
·Responsible for global infrastructure development of all affiliate companies, budget analysis, team development/management, executive reporting, project planning, and cost management.
·Successful delivery of portfolio projects including: Epicor 9 rollout, CDK Heavy Equipment rollout, Exchange Online transition, Active Directory migration, VMware Esxi upgrades, NetApp storage upgrade, multi-site SnapMirror and expansion, Cisco core network upgrade, SCCM 2012, VOIP rollouts, WAN expansion and vendor consolidation, UltiPro (HRIS) implementation, MaaS 360 (MDM) rollout, Endpoint Protection rollout
·Performed extensive engineering tasks using Powershell, UNIX, SQL, Cisco IOS
·Served as adviser on Executive Steering Committee, providing insight on technologies, processes, implementation, methodologies design and roadmaps.
·Transformed the technology team by increasing corporate satisfaction rating (26% to 98%) and reengaging underdeveloped staff.
·Managed successful implementation of two, ERP core business critical systems that serviced 20 companies, in 4 countries, after negotiation approximately $1.2 million in savings.
·Successfully implemented IT best practices for improved security, change management, monitoring, performance, and data recovery.
·Heavy focus on VMware capacity planning, to better forecast requirements, system overuse, and develop virtualization roadmap.
Addison Group, Rosemont, IL July 2012 – April 2013
Through Addison Group, worked with a global banking leader, Popular Community Bank, that spans through North & South America and Europe. 500 servers, 2000+ employees, local & remote datacenters
Senior Consulting Security Engineer
·Successful delivery of portfolio projects including: CyberArk Privileged Identity Management, Aveksa Identity Access Management, EMC expansion, global remote access management, VMware optimization, remote ATM security management, and SCCM 2012 implementation.
·Lead Engineer for architecting, configuring and training on CentOS, VMware, and Server 2003/2008/2012 platforms, with heavy use of the following scripting languages: Powershell, VBScript, SQL, and Python.
·Subject matter expert for many areas of business: Exchange 2010, Windows Server architecture, policy design, infrastructure security, BCP, and decision systems.
·Security remediation engineer – performed system and data analysis to improve systems as well as fin the causes to errors and issues.
Prescient Solutions, Chicago, IL August 2011 - March 2012
Chicagoland consulting firm partnered with a global manufacturing firm, Tempel Steel; 7 locations worldwide, 250 servers, 600+ hardware units, 1000+ employees
Consulting Manager of Information Technology
·Directed all the IT Operations for datacenter, engineering and service desk.
·Led local and offshore teams of 15 employees in the US, China, India, and Mexico.
·Developed strategic planning and tactical roadmap of the IT infrastructure and all technology and telecommunications systems, networks and solutions
·Successful delivery of portfolio projects including: server virtualization to VMware, SCCM, SCOM, RSA rollout, system, network system hardening, Workday (HRIS) implementation, Symantec 10 client rollout.
·Built stronger technology backbone: servers, virtual environment, wireless communications, switches, routers and security systems.
·Performed as Senior Engineer for large-scale projects.
·Optimized Exchange organization, eliminating high data costs by transitioning from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010 and strengthening the oversees Exchange environment.
Robert Half Technology, Chicago, IL February 2011 - August 2011
Positioned with Legacy Marketing Partners, a national marketing firm which promotes top international brands.
Senior Information Technology Consultant
·Successful delivery of portfolio projects including: Active Directory migration, Exchange transition and migration, Citrix implementation, OS X Server upgrade, Cisco WLAN implementation
·Led design, engineering, implementation and management of system infrastructure.
·Oversaw the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing program including planning, organizing, budgeting, leading, and program activities.
·Created technical specification and documentation
·Led training and support teams with a 3-person team.
Feldco Factory Direct, Des Plaines, IL August 2009 - February 2011
Mid-west leader of window, siding, and door replacement.
Information Technology Consultant
·Developed, tested and certified Disaster Recovery Plan, which led to the planning of a stronger, co-located infrastructure.
·Managed data server and storage placement as well as the data traffic plan for all offices, warehouses, and remote offices.
·Served as Business Analyst for company-wide dashboard system, collecting use case data, mandatory, and optional data for software upgrade.
·Cisco VOIP Call Center engineer
Apostolic Faith Church, Chicago, IL May 1999 - April 2009
City mega-church of PAW, Inc.; 5,000+ parishioners with connections to multiple organizations world-wide.
Information Technology Manager (2005 – 2009)
Information Technology Generalist (1999 – 2005)
·Responsible for the upgrade, rollout, and management of a robust software, Shelby, that houses financial, purchasing, membership, volunteer, and reporting data; 15,000+ records and 50 users.
·Trainer for volunteers, staff, and local users of the software.
·Managed SharePoint file repository services, internal help desk system, advanced C.A.R.E. reporting, company website and disaster recovery plan.
·Worked directly with all CXOs with budget development and maintenance, research and development, system rebuilds, and outside projects as the technological advisee, developer, and hands-on project manager.
·Established system policies for new hires, system usage, and network and resource usage.
EDUCATION:
MBA – IT Management, Keller Graduate School of Business, Chicago, IL
BS – Computer Engineering, DeVry University, Tinley Park, IL