Project Manager

JASON L. LAVENDER

Houston, TX • 936-***-**** • *************@***************.*** • linkedin.com/in/jasonlavender

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Senior Operations Manager Business Transformation Operational Excellence AI-Enabled Business Solutions

Supply Chain PMP Certified Project & Program Management (IT, Operations, Strategic) Versatile and highly adaptable operations leader recognized for quickly understanding complex business environments, building trusted relationships, and delivering measurable operational improvements across Fortune 500 organizations, municipal government, consulting, logistics, construction, utilities, and field operations.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

20+ years leading operations, business transformation, and enterprise implementation initiatives.

PMP certified since 2014 with 300+ projects delivered across logistics, supply chain, consulting, utilities, municipal government, and field operations.

$300M in projects delivered across multiple industries and markets.

Reduced manual reporting effort by 70% through dashboard automation and process optimization.

Developed governance frameworks, KPI dashboards, and executive reporting.

Applied AI-enabled business tools to strengthen planning, communication, and operational analysis.

CORE EXPERTISE

Operations Leadership • Business Transformation • Operational Excellence • AI-Enabled Business Solutions • Enterprise Implementations • Continuous Improvement • Supply Chain • Logistics • PMO Governance • KPI Dashboards • Vendor Management • Change Management

CITY OF BRYAN, TEXAS IT Project Manager

March 2025 – February 2026

Municipal government supporting utilities, public safety, and enterprise modernization.

Directed enterprise initiatives supporting utilities, public safety, fleet operations, and customer services.

Managed concurrent operational and technology initiatives.

Implemented governance frameworks improving accountability and executive visibility.

Developed KPI dashboards supporting executive decisions.

Coordinated procurement and vendor partnerships.

Applied analytics and AI-assisted planning to improve execution.

KLX ENERGY SERVICES Business Process Transformation Specialist January 2023 – August 2024

Operational performance improvement through analytics and automation.

Reduced manual reporting effort by 70% through automation.

Improved pricing visibility with real-time dashboards.

Standardized reporting processes and KPI reporting.

Strengthened executive decision-making through analytics.

FIRST FORGE GROUP Operations Strategy & Transformation Consultant April 2020 to September 2023 – February 2026 to

Present Operational strategy and business transformation consulting.

Advised leadership on strategy and scalability.

Designed governance frameworks and KPI dashboards.

Developed ROI models supporting modernization.

Integrated AI-enabled business analysis into planning.

RYDER SYSTEM, INC. Senior Program Manager – Operations & Enterprise Implementations May 2001 to July 2009 – March 2012 to March 2020

Fortune 500 transportation, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain organization.

Directed enterprise implementations supporting Fortune 500 logistics and supply chain operations.

Led multi-site launches across operations, engineering, IT, finance, HR, procurement, and safety.

Built governance frameworks improving visibility, accountability, and execution.

Developed scalable implementation strategies aligned with customer objectives.

Partnered with sales and operations to validate customer solutions.

Strengthened executive client relationships through disciplined execution.

Resolved operational challenges through cross-functional leadership.

MP MANAGEMENT, INC. Co-Owner – Operations & General Manager May 1996 to May 2001 – August 2009 to March 2012

Self-owned HVAC contractor.

Directed daily operations, scheduling, procurement, and customer service.

Managed estimating, vendors, and workforce scheduling.

Oversaw budgeting, planning, and field operations.

Built long-term customer relationships.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

B.S., Management Information Systems — University of North Texas

Graduate Studies, Data Analytics — Texas A&M University

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft 365 • Smartsheet • ERP • CRM • WMS • Microsoft Visio • Analytics Dashboards • Artificial Intelligence

(ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, AI-assisted business analysis, workflow automation) Page 3 of 3

PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENTIATORS

Applied operational leadership across Fortune 500, municipal, consulting, logistics, utilities, energy, and construction organizations.

Trusted advisor to executives and cross-functional teams.

Rapidly adapts to new industries and complex operational environments.

Combines operational excellence, analytics, and AI-enabled business solutions to improve organizational performance.

PORTFOLIO & WEBSITES

https://firstforgegroup.substack.com/

www.firstforgegroup.com

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