Chief Information Officer

KENNETH FORD

CIO/VP of Information Technology

Senior enterprise IT executive with 30 years of expertise in the healthcare, non-profit, government, telecommunications, financial, distribution/logistics, and consulting sectors. Excel at adapting management style, emerging technologies, and operational best practices to marry IT solutions with business needs. Earned a reputation as a big picture change agent who champions business objectives while harnessing and driving next-level technology performance.

LEADERSHIP ASSETS

IT GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS

P&L OVERSIGHT

STRATEGIC PLANNING & EXECUTION

SARBANES-OXLEY COMPLIANCE

M&A/START-UP OPERATIONS

PERFORMANCE TURNAROUNDS

AUDIT & COST SAVINGS

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

FACILITIES BUILD-OUTS

POST-MERGER IT INTEGRATIONS

PROCESS/POLICY BEST PRACTICES

LEADERSHIP & COACHING

VENDOR MANAGEMENT

OFFICE 365 IMPLEMENTATIONS

CLOUD IMPLEMENTATIONS

TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Chief Information Officer - HIPAA Security Officer - PPGNHAIK – SEATTLE WA [2023 – ]

Leading geographical IT team operating in 6 states (Washington, Indiana, Hawaii, Alaska, Kentucky & Idaho). A total of 33 clinics. Collaborated with stakeholders across corporate functions to formulate strategies for digital modernization and technology initiatives. Led strategy, design, implementation, and support across the organization. Developed partnerships with enterprise software companies, technology providers, and consulting firms. Define enterprise vision and technology roadmaps for a cloud-first organization in coordination with C-level executives.

Notable Accomplishments:

Implementing EPIC from NextGen EMR

Implemented Proofpoint technology for email

Implemented Contract repository and signature routing

Moved services from MSP back to in-house for cost savings

Saved organization 134K in first 4 months

Build engineering and business intelligence teams, recruit talent, provide mentorship, and establish a work culture centered on accountability

Identify technology trends, develop overarching strategy, and provide recommendations to senior leadership to enhance the IT organization

Conduct negotiations with vendors to secure optimal pricing for IT equipment and software purchases valued at $300K-$500K

Customer Director of IT Engineering CSC Generation – HOUSTON TX [2022 – 2023]

Responsible for information services, voice communications, and Point of Sales systems for CSC Brands. Provide strategic planning and oversight for our Service desk, network, security, collaboration, mobility and productivity solutions. In charge of building technical roadmaps, delivering scalable IT solutions and developing and maintaining critical vendor partnerships. Responsible for integrating and upgrading corporate infratructures post acquisition

Notable Accomplishments:

In process implementing corporate wide wireless for LTD brand

Implemented VoIP solution to stores nationwide utilizing Verizon one –talk for stores nationwide

Creating servicedesk 12/7 platform processes for all CSC brands for supporting follow the sun client support

Manage contract negotiations with telco providers

Building high performance teams

Providing a structure for onboarding/offboarding staff

Vice President of Administrative Services - HIPAA Security Officer PPGC – HOUSTON TX [2017 – 2022]

Responsible for information services, voice communications, and Electronic Medical Records (eClinicalWorks/EPIC). Oversee the digital medical imaging for corporation including short and long-term archiving, disaster recovery, redundancy, replication, off-site storage, distribution, maintenance, upgrades, installation, training, and trouble shooting. Responsible for implementation of all medical imaging solutions. Managed team members in developing workflow standards that support and adhere to HIPAA regulations. Responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of LAN, WAN, and VPN Networks of clinical information along with establishing disaster recovery and maintenance procedures for critical system up-time

Other departments overseeing –

Facilities

Security (physical)

Admin Services

Purchasing

Notable Accomplishments:

Implemented corporate wide wireless solution for staff & guests

Project Manager for EPIC EMR application

Created DR/BR plan for organization

Upgraded IT servers from Server 2000 to Server 2008 utilizing Vmware and physical servers.

Implemented Imprivata with our EMR

Implemented dual ISP connectivity for failover

Migrated all applications to cloud environment – Office 365

IT OPERATIONS MANAGER CONDUENT formerly XEROX CORPORATION – AUSTIN TX [2011 – 2017]

Manage all IT operations for the Austin Area Credit Card back office processing Line of Business. Provided leadership to turn around struggling PCI compliancy with internal infrastructure networking and end point devices for back office operations. Helping to lead the development of unique security and monitoring features to prevent fraudulent transactions.

Notable Accomplishments:

Set up and managed the company’s infrastructure for the second year of the new business initiative

Oversee the end user move and re-deployment of planned and executed full technology refreshes

Upgraded IT servers from Server 2000 to Server 2008 utilizing Vmware and physical servers.

Identified and implemented cost saving measures which were very important to a new start up Line of Business

Designed sustainable PCI Program moving forward with clear definitions of all controls & control owners, published control & audit interval calendar

Created and refined processes for performing PCI DSS compliance verification efficiently

TECHNICAL SERVICE MANAGER FORT BEND COUNTY – RICHMOND TX [2009 – 2011]

Oversee and manage all IT operations for Fort Bend County, which consists of 51 remote sites and 3 data centers. Reside on the county leadership team to roadmap and formulate the strategic plan for the County infrastructure. Manage a team of 25 functional and technical professionals that deliver support to faculty across Fort Bend County systems. The operational team consisted of technical support, helpdesk, desktop, operations, LAN/WAN engineer and telecommunications. Maintained training for employees, counseled, supervised and conducted performance appraisals for team.

Notable Accomplishments:

Project Manager for Avaya PBX to Avaya VoIP

Initiated ITIL policies and procedures for helpdesk and desktop support

Implemented SCCM & SCOM Microsoft tools

Project Manager for implementing WAN from Ethernet to fiber connection to 51 remote sites

Oversee and administer all vendor management and disaster recovery efforts.

Migrated county from Novell to Microsoft platform

Migrated county email system from GroupWise to Exchange

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR GREENSHEET – HOUSTON TX [2007 – 2009]

Provide strategic and operational direction for planning, prioritization, design, implementation and maintenance of all internal systems and applications. Define and drive corporate technology based services strategy for SOX compliancy. Define strategy / design, develop, integrate automated solutions for customer support call routing/handling, processing, escalation, and other necessary processes and functions. Hired, train, retain, assess/evaluate all technology staff; instructs and participates in IT education and training; responsible for growing the knowledge and expertise of IT employees. Responsible for preparing RFPs, bid proposals, contracts, scope of work reports, and other documentation for IT projects and associated efforts.

Notable Accomplishments:

Manage all internal and outsourced projects within approved budgets

Successfully deployed ecommerce presence to enable expansion nationwide

Led team in defining business process and selection of ERP solution (MS CRM)

Managed and converted Avaya PBX installation to Altigen VoIP installation

Developed and deployed intranet and eCommerce Internet sites

Implemented MPLS network for DR and VoIP

Maintained low cost of server capital by utilizing VMWare technology

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR UNITED WAY OF TEXAS GULF COAST – HOUSTON TX [2004 – 2007]

Overseeing all IT functions including data center management, LAN/WAN, vendor relationships, technical support, application development and DR planning. Responsible for developing initiative for ITIL best practices governance within the organization and with outside vendors and service providers. Responsible for Managing the 211 call center phone system and network infrastructure for 24 x 7 uptime. Coordinated technology strategic planning, seeking ways to leverage the integration of business processes with applicable emerging technologies in order to improve and streamline operations and services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

Notable Accomplishments:

Consolidated and stabilized servers improving hardware uptime from 70% to 99%

Move Network Operations Center into new facility in 72 hours

Implemented VoIP and Unity voice messaging to organization and remote locations

Uptime 99.99% covering 45 servers in NOC and 15 remotely

EARLY CAREER PROFILE

Senior Network Engineer Talent Tree (Care Group Medical) – Houston TX [2 years]

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Senior System Engineer Arthur Anderson – Dallas TX [2 years]

Information Technology Director Medical Edge Health Group Inc. – Dallas TX [2 years]

Manager of Information Technology Baker Support Services – Dallas TX [4 years]

832-***-**** ************@*****.***

ITIL

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