Information Systems Program/Project Manager
Strategic Planning Financial Management Negotiator

Seasoned and successful professional with over 17 years of experience in partnering with business leaders on multi-million dollar initiatives to solve business process challenges via defined solutions utilizing market ready technology. Demonstrated repeated success in the development and execution of strategies to meet evolving business challenges. Demonstrated track record of building and leading projects and high-performing teams to deliver key deliverables to schedule and budget. Proven ability to generate significant cost savings through effective negotiations and reengineering the organization capabilities; committed to strengthening employees via employee development and mentoring. Areas of expertise:

Strategic/Operational Planning Program/Project Management Business and Technology Alignment Mentoring Team Development and Leadership Vendor Partnerships Integration Implementation and Execution Needs Assessment Security and Enterprise Risk Management Emerging Technologies Lean and Process Improvement Disaster Recovery (DR) Business Analysis Requirements Definition Employee Development Service Level Agreements (SLA) Regulatory Compliance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Confidential Plymouth, Minnesota 2000-2009 Manufacturer of Sleep Number bed Senior Director of Technical Services and Operations
Managed and mentored 6 direct reports with an extended staff of 43 with oversight of: Application Support, Project Management, Telecommunications, Service Desk, PC-Lan Support and System Administration and operations.

Developed annual strategic plans aligned with business objectives affecting all technology profiles; Ensured SLA fulfillment for all customers and consistently provided exceptional enterprise support 24x7. Major contributor to PCI and SOX compliance audits. Undertook vendor negotiations and maintained accountability for $28M capital and expense budgets.

Supported Oracle application suite on an Oracle database, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence via Cognos and Informatica, leveraged VB on SQL database for CRM and POS applications, and selected, implemented and supported commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software packages to meet business needs. Led automation initiatives leveraging Microsoft automation tools, engineering and ERP packages.

Major Accomplishments:

• Slashed budgets by 20% and 40% in 2007/2008 and 2009, respectively ($5.3M savings).
• Managed budgets consistently within 3% for 7 out of 9 years.
• Won multiple awards from CEO for project delivery; technology department recognized with Outstanding Technology Award from CIO Magazine for Oracle implementation and technical overhaul.

Technology Improvements:

• Coordinated and documented Retail and Marketing’s business requirements to develop an architecture to meet cost savings initiative and productivity enhancement challenges across 450 stores. Technologies included sales enhancement tool (pressure mapping system), POS upgrade to provide additional promotion capability, wireless technology to reduce remodel costs, PC installations, and PC end-of-life replacement; achieved ROI in 6 months
• Spearheaded technology effort to create a up-to-date 4-story HQ including designing and building a new data center, installing low-voltage wiring, interacted with key business users to create requirements for the development and implementation of 2 computer training rooms and the audio/visual equipment in corporate conference center and conference rooms, closed 2 campus locations, and transitioned 500 employees.
• Accountable for reengineering Informatica and validation of daily sales reporting
• Accountable for the RFP and selection for both Oracle and SAP ERP implementations
• Accountable for all Disaster Recovery initiatives

Confidential Fridley, Minnesota 1992-2000 Department of Defense Contractor IT Manager, Business Development and Program Support
Supervised three project managers and oversaw up to 40 technical staff in a matrixed organization.
Fulfilled multiple roles of increasing authority to reach IT Manager Level. Provided IT support to $1B division, encompassing 14 sites. Ensured delivery of critical defense programs by developing and implementing technical solutions as programs matured through their lifecycle. Delivered program solution leveraging technology profiles in presentations to Congress, Pentagon, and top management. Established capital and operating budgets and contributed to strategic planning.

Major Accomplishments:

• As a program lead, partnered with business on a $24M Y2K initiative; including needs analysis, requirements definition, Request for Proposal (RFP), procurement, and proof-of-concept pilot of Baan ERP system.
• Facilitated privatization of Louisville, Kentucky-based military base by overseeing technology activities for the acquisition team; created organization structure and staffed, reengineered data center, secured and simplified LAN/WAN, and managed data conversions.
• Supported DoD weapon systems programs by determining requirements and choosing and implementing technical solutions based on Contractor Integrated Technical Information System (CITIS) specifications .
• As a member of the Joint Military/Industry task force our mission was to assess technology spend for DoD and the Weapon Systems contractors to identify cost reduction opportunities for the military- Computer-Aided Acquisition & Logistics/Lifecycle Support/ (CALS)
• Worked with various departments to create a computing certification program for new employees. After interviewing each department we were able to develop the appropriate program to ensure their customer’s were

Confidential St.Paul MN 1989-1992 Technology Integrator Consultant
Designed, implemented, trained and supported turnkey networked solutions based on Novell Network Operating (NOS) systems and COTS for small to midsized companies. Also supported the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation.

EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Arts in Management of Information Technology
Associate of Arts in Computer Science