EXECUTIVE PROFILE – Chief Information Technology Officer
- Strategic Planning
- Information Technology
- Business Automation
- Internet and eCommerce
- Content Management Systems
- Workflow
Chief Information Technology Officer and business visionary with executive and hands-on experience in automating global enterprises. Strong record of success in creating robust global IT architecture and infrastructure. Proven ability to utilize technology to solve complex business issues while managing costs, risks and change. Partners with Executive and Senior management to direct strategic technology initiatives.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jane’s Information Group, Alexandria, VA; London, UK
Sr. VP and Chief Technology Officer 1999-present
Executive Board of Directors
Chief consultant on technology to the CEO and Executive Board. Lead and manage global IT team of 15 managers and 65 developers, network and desktop professionals, and Project Managers. Direct strategic IT planning, implementation and support worldwide as an integral component of the business plan. Program-manage group-wide global Technology activities in following areas: Infrastructure, Web Development, Content Management, Business Systems, Electronic Product Development, and Electronic Publishing. Oversee budgeting, design and support of all technology functions.
* Engineered turnaround of performance and service levels by reviewing processes, designing new technology toolsets and developing service quality standards and metrics in collaboration with colleagues, thus establishing rapport and credibility with other department heads.
- Reduced Helpdesk backlog from week-long average response time to 90% same-day response.
- Designed and developed a Global Network that enabled internal staff to gain access to all company systems and services irrespective of their physical location.
- Implemented a fully outsourced email system that ensured 24x7x365 availability with built-in failover and redundancy.
* Transformed IT into a strategic business partner developing a technology strategy to support the e-business transformation. The IT team is now fully integrated within the various business units and are viewed as a value-added team rather than a cost center.
* Selectively and effectively introduced and integrated new technologies with existing ones – Internet,
Intranet and Extranet sites for global customers and employees – thus generating new revenue streams for the organization by transforming a hard copy publisher into an electronic information consultant. Revenue from electronic services grew from under 5% to over 50% of total revenue.
* Engineered a methodology to integrate disparate business systems containing valuable customer intelligence, facilitating consolidated reporting. Reduced turn around from several weeks of high priced outsourced work to a few hours of in-house, user-generated, on-demand reporting.
* Improved electronic publishing processes by developing automated systems – reducing a long-standing backlog of 30+ days to 8 hours or less.
* Developed the next generation of Content Management Systems in XML environment to include Content Creation tools, the Content Management Repositories, and Assembly tools for product/content output in all required media. These systems have resulted in higher structure and value of the content that is published at least 50% faster.
* Reengineered a number of sales, financial, order processing, marketing and Internet systems thus improving processes and reducing cost of ownership.
* Working in a collaborative environment – integrating people, process and technology – designed, managed and delivered multiple large-scale projects on time and within or under budget.
* Managed global relationships with vendors and consultants.
*Hire and manage geographically dispersed staff of differing cultures and weave them in high performing teams while fostering productivity, quality and initiative.
General Manager – US Operations 2001-present
Manage all operational aspects of the 70 staff strong US office including its activities and the relationships between the organization and its Executive and Senior Managers. Secure and protect the organizations assets, including facilities and equipment.
* Locate and negotiate new office space and oversee the construction and relocation process on time and under agreed budgets.
* Implement general policies established by the Executive Board; direct their administration and execution.
* Ensure the US Senior Management Team works in harmony, resolving conflict in the team, encouraging motivation and improving morale.
* Provide advice and recommendations to the Executive Board about various aspects of US office operations including internal communications and policy implementation.
Group IT Director 1993-1999
Provided IT leadership for global information publishing company that was in the midst of transforming itself into an Information consultant. Responsible for over 50 IT staff members in multiple locations worldwide.
* Led technology teams to develop standards in all areas of IT emphasizing global infrastructure.
* Designed and developed the organization’s first marketing website in 1995 followed by its first revenue generating subscription based content search and retrieval service.
* Launched development of various IT teams and developed a comprehensive enterprise-wide technology strategy to support the business plan. This included network selection, systems, desktop platforms, Internet development and software development standards.
* Created high performance teams from the ground up to plan and implement strategy.
* Initiated and developed in-house technology training groups that enabled timely and cost-effective delivery of staff and customer training.
Developer/Network Administrator prior to 1993
* Designed, implemented, and supervised installation and support of NetWare networks and desktops.
* Single handedly developed the first electronic product for the organization on CD-ROM.
* Established controls and reporting devices such as TrackIT to monitor IT performance.
EDUCATION
Master of Computer Science – Software and Systems
George Washington University, Washington DC
Bachelor of Science – Statistics and Mathematics
M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad, India
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Information Technology Leadership Program – Executive Development
Santa Clara University, San Jose, CA
Thomson Executive Leadership Development Program
Thomson University, New York, NY
Jane’s Mentoring Program
Designed, developed and delivered several technology related sessions on e-business, e-publishing, content management systems, technology infrastructure and business systems as part of an ongoing Mentoring Program at Jane’s.
Management of Internet and New Technologies
Web technologies, Intranets, Extranets, Web-based search tools – Verity K2, CD-ROM/DVD-ROM based search engines, taxonomies, content exploitation, entity extraction, XML/SGML, content management systems (Content@, EPIC, XPP, Media Mogul), order processing systems (Vista, CIS, Media Services), financial systems (JDEdwards, Solomon, Agresso), warehouse fulfillment systems, web hosting services. |
