James Hayes Email & Phone Number

Tupelo, Ms, Us

Direct the IT strategy and initiatives for two medium-sized construction companies, setting IT standards and preparing them for planned growth.• Designed and managed the project to migrate from an on-premises computing environment to a cloud-based one using Azure and AWS.• Reviewed current application stack and implemented changes including a new accounting platform to align with the IT vision for increased mobility and security.• Established and implemented disaster recovery plan including backup strategy leveraging new technologies.• Redesigned and relaunched companies' websites and social media efforts.

Provided management leadership and implemented changes and IT strategies that created professionalism, marketability, efficiency and productivity, garnering attention from outside investors and the eventual acquisition by Harbor Beach Capital Group.• Defined overarching company vision, encompassing all facets, with a particular focus on IT.• Established transformative policies, procedures, and standards, elevating the company's status and marketability.• Researched and implemented cloud-based solutions to support a mobile workforce, including administrative, sales and field personnel.• Converted in-house legacy financial system to a cloud-based construction accounting solution.• Created and maintained multiple company platforms to provide employees with important information, recruit new employees, and advertise services to new and existing customers.• Developed company website and managed ongoing social media presence.• Managed cloud-based vehicle and equipment location, inspection, and maintenance applications to comply with DOT/FMCSA and to enable timely and cost-effective fleet maintenance.• Created and implemented a company safety program using resources from multiple sources. Designed and maintained multiple databases to track safety training programs and OSHA compliance.• Additional responsibilities included onboarding new employees, resolving employee conflicts, managing vendors, and organizing company events to promote a positive culture and good morale.

Sunrise, Fl, Us

Led the IT department of a rapidly growing nationwide construction enterprise acquiring multiple paving companies; responsibilities included creating cohesion between the varied companies to serve operations, finance, and investors’ needs. • Developed and implemented IT strategy to support the company's growth plans, including cloud migration, implementation of a new data security solution, and development of a disaster recovery plan.• Created and executed IT strategy for acquired companies to merge IT cloud environments. Average time to complete was less than 45 days, on budget, and zero disruptions to business operations.• Successfully built and launched a SharePoint intranet for 500 users, resulting in increased employee productivity and collaboration.• Contributed to the company's strategic planning process as a member of the Corporate Leadership Team. Worked with the CEO, CFO, and others to define the company's goals and objectives, and to develop and implement strategies to achieve those goals. Coordinated IT resources with overall corporate objectives.• Provided connectivity and advanced reporting via Microsoft SQL and PowerBI to the finance team. Information had to be extracted from numerous financial systems.• Kickstarted a CRM/ERP project that resulted in the selection of NetSuite as the platform. Collaborated with finance and operations teams to identify specific features and functionality. Negotiated favorable contract terms with multiple vendors, resulting in a 14% savings over the original budget.• Managed day-to-day IT operations for 12 companies located coast to coast, including project management, cloud computing (Azure, O365), hardware and software purchases and support, and telecommunications.• Oversaw development and maintenance of the company's websites and social media presence, ensuring alignment with company branding and messaging.

Contributed to the success of two furniture-manufacturing facilities by providing reliable and efficient IT services and by developing IT strategies that supported the companies' growth.• Migrated from physical servers to a virtual server environment using VMware in three months, increasing system capabilities and capacity.• Implemented SQL Server 2016 and consolidated various SQL instances and Access databases. Used SQL Reporting Services to build input screens and reporting tools for end-users.• Introduced additional solutions such as PRTG for network monitoring, an open-source helpdesk solution, and Veeam backup software, among others, which increased employee productivity, engagement, and efficiency.• Implemented Lync instant messaging and created an intranet to facilitate better collaboration between employees.• Implemented a system of IT documentation to track all IT changes, software modifications, software testing, and security.• Invested in departmental improvements company-wide and provided unique IT solutions to each department based on their needs and workflows.• As fiduciary, prepared and managed the annual IT budget.• Evaluated and reorganized the IT department to better align with business needs and improve service to all end-users.• Organized weekly project meetings with teams to promote accountability and focus. Implemented tools for improved project management.

Baldwyn, Ms, Us

Led the IT department for a large retail company with 260+ stores in 37 states. Managed all IT operations, including security, backup, disaster recovery, and store systems. Reported directly to the CEO and CFO.• Generated significant cost savings of $100,000 annually by consolidating multiple telecommunications providers to a single provider, while adding additional bandwidth and functionality such as hosted voice and wireless network backups.• Reduced yearly IT operating expenses by over $150,000 in the first year by implementing cost-saving options and renegotiating contracts.• Relaunched the e-commerce website using Demandware and Live Area Labs as partners. The site was relaunched aggressively within six months, and the first year results after the relaunch showed a 138% increase over prior year comparable sales.• Established excellent relationships with each department's leadership team. Implemented additional solutions such as Office 365, SharePoint, UberConference, and AWS to increase employee productivity, engagement, and efficiency.• Maintained PCI and SOX 404 compliance through security audits and reviews.• As a fiduciary, prepared the annual IT budget and reviewed and approved monthly expenditures to ensure budget compliance.• Served as a voting member of Hancock's Investment Committee, which is responsible for defined benefit pension and 401(k) contribution plans.

Tupelo, Ms, Us

• Planned and developed an enterprise infrastructure design change from localized Novell NetWare servers and PCs to a centralized Citrix / Microsoft Terminal Server environment using Wyse thin clients. This resulted in significant cost avoidance and allowed a small IT staff to support an employee count that grew from 500 to 1200.• Developed and implemented an enterprise virtualization strategy that included virtualizing servers using software from VMware and Dell EqualLogic storage and virtualizing workstations using software from Citrix and Unidesk and storage from WhipTail.• Provided guidance and counsel to executives in the organization on the role of IT in achieving their business units' objectives. Implemented new strategies that resulted in significant cost savings and improved efficiency.• Recruited, hired, and trained a team of IT professionals to support 80+ locations and 1200 employees.• Maintained FDIC and SOX 404 compliance through security audits and reviews.• Managed vendor relationships and contract negotiations for hardware, software, services, and support agreements.• Defined and communicated annual goals, performed formal and informal performance reviews, and ensured changes and updates were communicated in a timely and professional manner.• Prepared IT annual budget and monitored IT expenses and capital expenditures within the corporate budget.• Led weekly instructional classes on computer basics and applications.

• Managed the installation of a Wide Area Network (WAN) using Citrix to connect 22 remote sites across six states to the host site to provide needed industry applications to internal customers (company-owned facilities) as well as to external customers (managed facilities). Additional achieved goals of the project were increasing communication between the facilities and improving timeliness of compliance reporting to various governmental agencies. • Recruited, hired, trained, supervised, managed and evaluated the IT department personnel.• Prepared annual IT budget and ensured budget compliance.• Managed telecommunication needs for all locations, which consisted of negotiating new long-distance contracts, reviewing monthly phone bills and updating antiquated phone systems.

• Led conversion project that replaced the existing server infrastructure from Novell Netware to Microsoft NT.• Supervised and managed the PC Tech department.• Maintained Novell and Microsoft local area networks and provided level 2 support to the enterprise.

Us

• Maintained Novell and Microsoft local area networks.• Supported and maintained all hardware and software on to the local area networks.• Conducted software training courses for all employees at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Jackson, Mississippi, Us

• Supported and maintained all hardware and software.• Technical project lead on agency platform upgrade that included new software and hardware for workstations and for an IBM System/36 minicomputer.• Led weekly instructional classes on computer basics and applications.