Senior Operations Leader with Turnaround Success and $14M Budget

JOSEPH DIFONZO

Berlin, MA *****

******@*****.*** 978-***-**** linkedin.com/in/josephdifonzo

TRANSFORMATIONAL EXECUTIVE LEADER

DRIVING STRATEGIES FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROFITABLE GROWTH Versatile innovative C-Level executive with 15 years of experience transforming business operations, leading large, complex programs and launching entrepreneurial ventures with proven success. Broad and deep experience planning and implementing strategic initiatives across Corporate, Non-Profit, and Higher Education environments with experience in Technology, Transportation, Education, and Commercial Real Estate industries. Adept at optimizing resources, generating increased revenue and implementing leading-edge solutions that meet business objectives.

FRACTIONAL CIO- CONSULTING SERVICES

Soundview Consulting, LLC, Massachusetts 2021 – Present Founder, Fractional CIO Services (2021 -Present)

Provide Fractional Chief Information Officer services to Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Auto, Pharmaceutical, Insurance, and other Small/Medium businesses.

• CIO Services pertaining to Internet connectivity, Security, Azure/Cloud Migrations, MFA, O365, M365, Firewall/UTM, DR Planning, Backup, and IT Policies

• Design and build strategic IT roadmaps for individual clients in support of financial and strategic missions.

• Analyze, evaluate, and propose network, security, telecommunications, storage, database and technology architecture: hardware, software, protocols, topology, and strategy.

• Strategic and Technical Liaison for client to MSP, Vendor, Contractor, Service provider

• Proficient use of the following IT Tools: IT Glue, Datto, ConnectWise, Lifecycle Insights, Scalepad, Automate, myITprocess

• Work collaboratively with MSP to ensure customer satisfaction

• Present IT status during TBR/QBR with Technology Directors and CTO’s

• Responsible for overseeing the IT infrastructure, data management, cybersecurity, network systems, and the integration of emerging technologies

• Managed Telecommunication services and support for ISP

• Delivered cloud services via Fiber Backbone and multiple Data Centers

• Integrate IT systems with network operations for low-latency services.

• Implement edge computing strategies and upgrades.

• Ensure cybersecurity compliance

• Use real-time analytics to resolve service outages faster

• Migrate data centers to cloud (AWS, Azure, etc.)

• Evaluate and onboard new technology partners.

• Manage SLAs and vendor KPIs.

• Ensure interoperability between vendor solutions.

• Communicate with other Telcom vendors (Verizon, Cogent, AT&T, Spectrum, etc.) Founder, Network Infrastructure and Contract Management IT Services (2021-Present) Provide consulting services as the leader of IT commercial vendor contract management, delivering strong commercial leadership to IT services delivery team and project delivery teams.

• Proactively build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to support the delivery of their requirements in line with the agreed timescales, quality levels and KPIs/SLAs.

• Proactively identify, build and maintain strong strategic relationships with vendors in order to understand and influence external opinion and maintain a strong reputation for Provider/Client

• Provide the necessary commercial and contractual support to delivery teams to ensure they have services delivered as required.

• Lead on the strategy, scoping and negotiating commercial agreements of all kinds to meet the business' strategic service and project needs and ensure robust agreements are completed on time and in line with agreed quality and cost measures.

• Develop policies and procedures needed to support internal stakeholder engagement and external vendor management.

• Manage a small team (including external consultants and contractor resources) and self, to deliver these services to delivery teams and business projects against agreed KPIs that guarantee timely and high-quality outputs within an agreed budget.

• Develop team members in the capabilities required to develop and negotiate commercial agreements with project partners, manage large and complex managed service contracts, create opportunities for meaningful experiences to develop junior staff and ensure an enduring capability is created within the team, creating strong succession plans and clear development pathways for staff. CONSULTING SERVICES

Soundview Consulting, LLC, Massachusetts 2018 – 2021 Fractional CXO Consultant (2018-2021)

Interim Executive Leadership and Strategies for Growth & Innovation in the areas of Telecommunications & ISP Management, B2B Relationship Development, P&L, M&A, State Procurement Contracts, USAC E-Rate Program,

• Fractional CIO Services designed for SMB’s

• Provide clients with new revenue streams and partnerships

• Outreach and communication with C-Level stakeholders

• Relationship Building Services for Biometric Industry and IT Industry

• IT Consultant Services

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP

MEC, Chelmsford, MA 2005 – 2018

Executive Director (2014-2018)

Executive Leadership of a $14million company with diversified business units in Technology, Transportation, Real Estate, and Training.

• Spearheaded facility management including oversight for construction, renovation, maintenance, relocation planning & implementation, and vehicle management

• Eliminated significant Real Estate losses in 12 months by obtaining mission-related lease agreements and selective property sales

• Drove resilience and redundancy planning by identifying and securing co-location sites for technology division

• Implemented successful reduction in staffing and overhead costs to meet financial turnaround goals

• Interfaced with the Board of Directors on a regular basis providing quarterly financial reports and annual end- of-year reporting

• Complete understanding of Federal and State guidelines applicable to acquiring contracts for Business Units that operate in these sectors

• Adept at working with Legal and Human Resources to resolve potential liabilities

• Experienced and successful managing millennials in a technical and support environment

• Championed 401(k) transition and healthcare benefits for company

• Led M&A for MEC/Addition networks sale

• Responsible for due diligence reporting and review

• Directed integration planning and strategy

• Communicated process and timeline to staff to ensure timely responses

• Harmonize infrastructure and applications between organizations

• Integrate customer databases and successful minimal downtime during transition CIO, Addition Networks, Division of MEC (2008-2014) Directly responsible for technology division reporting to the corporate CEO. Responsible for driving new vertical markets both internal and external to expand existing footprint.

• Increased the organizational maturity level by implementing several management and operational systems such as performance appraisal process, business case analysis process, and project management methodologies

• Responsible for three state contracts for technology-related services which included assuring compliance to contract terms and submitting quarterly contract reports

• Owner of the strategic planning process, facilitating annual reviews and presentations of the strategic plan to the BOD

• Responsible for monitoring expenditures and for meeting budget goals

• Ensured technology infrastructure and network architecture continue to meet carrier class standards

• Managed VAR relationships with Verizon, Comcast, RCN, US National Grid, Charter Communications and others

• Managed cross-functional teams in multi-year projects across multiple business areas

• Expertise in creating and executing strategic business plans that identify project priorities, budgetary guidelines, funding resources and performance standards

• Spearheaded replacement of legacy Network Systems (Open Source & Proprietary) without adversely affecting mission-critical applications

• Responsible for delivering effective communications related to Corporate Strategies and Goals to multiple internal technology groups

• Improved Technology Divisions overall performance by implementing cutting edge Team Building strategies

• Created and implemented strong revenue generating services with ROI in 2 Months Sr. Manager Network & Engineering, Addition Networks, Division of MEC (2005-2008) Research and develop new technology products and services related to vertical Market.

• Perform sales and marketing tasks for a complete suite of technology products, services and solutions

• Responsible for management, upgrades, reliability, architecture and expansion of Fiber Backbone

• Manage production and development of trademarked Linux based firewall, content filter, and security product

• Responsible for Network Security of Corporate and Customer Environments

• Evaluate potential partnership arrangements and develop business cases to support go/no go decisions

• Participate in collaborative business technology planning process

• Manage VAR relationships with multiple vendors

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

− Manager, Desktop & LAN Support

EDUCATION

MS, Information Technology, Clark University, Worcester, MA BA, Corporate Communications, Framingham State College, Framingham, MA

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