Provide Strategic direction to the firms Information Governance Department (Records and Business Intake teams).Responsible for the planning, implementing and supervising of the Firm’s information governance and data privacy programs.Maintain functional oversight for various content management systems including the Firm’s document management system, records management system, SharePoint, and other key content repositoriesCollaborate actively with key stakeholders (CIO, COO, General Counsel, Loss Prevention Partner, etc.) to develop and maintain the firm’s program through policies and processes, budget and project management, and inter-department and practice group initiativesDevelop and implement a strategic program applying industry leading practices and methodologies to support the achievement of short and long-term goalsEnsure that the program and any resulting policies and procedures are comprehensive, covering the management of information assets in all formats, including hard-copy and electronic, and meeting all applicable statutory, regulatory, ethical, and privacy requirements in each jurisdictionCommunicate program requirements and goals through education, coaching and change management strategies that increase user adoption and complianceMonitor program effectiveness utilizing benchmarks to evaluate and improve program performanceResponsible for the execution and maintenance of policies such as: Legal Hold, Ethical Wall, Document Retention and Lateral File Transfer ProcessesStay current with best industry practices and new developments in the area of information governance and data privacy. Participate in continuing education, research, networking, and professional organizations to advance competencies.

InfoGov Hotseat is a podcast with nearly 10k subscribers and 120k views, hosted by Jim Merrifield, a certified information governance officer and professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. In each episode, Jim engages in candid conversations with practitioners, consultants, and solution providers on hot topics in the information governance field. Their discussions provide valuable insights and practical advice on managing information assets while navigating legal and regulatory challenges.As the Director of Information Governance & Business Intake at Robinson & Cole LLP, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast. He co-founded the first-ever conference focused exclusively on information governance, InfoGovCon, and is an active member of industry associations such as ILTA, IAPP, and ARMA. In addition, Jim has published numerous publications and frequently discusses information governance and data privacy issues. With its focus on real-world scenarios and practical solutions, InfoGov Hotseat is a must-listen for anyone interested in information governance and data management.

OCT 2018: Information Coalition merged with ARMA International.The Information Coalition is a community-based “how-to” resource for information professionals. Dedicated to advancing best practices in enterprise information management, the service guides members as they develop, vet, and refine their approaches to managing critical business information and processes.The Information Coalition is home to valuable existing resources like The Information Governance Conference, Information Symposium, and the Information Governance Model PLUS new community driven-resources like unlimited education, Peer Review Groups, and more. Created in response to specific requests for collaborative, hands-on tactical support, we guide you through the full breadth of disciplines you need to control, share, and protect your organization’s information assets. Come join us: infocoalition.com

Optismo Consulting:The leading information governance consulting firm with a modern approach towards Information Governance, Records Management, & Information Management.Optismo Marketing:From inbound marketing systems setup to content creation, our boutique marketing agency is a small powerhouse leveraged by the leading companies in the information management space.The Information Governance Conference (InfoGovCon):The Information Governance Conference is the world's premier event for Information Governance... and we created it.The Optismo IG Model Framework:The Optismo Information Governance Model Framework is an open source framework to help companies achieve Information Governance success.Optismo Education:From Information Governance and Information Management to SharePoint and Records Management, Optismo education solutions for all of your training needs.Optismo Labs:At Optismo, we are constantly innovating. Sometimes this means that we need some guinea pigs to test out new products, services, or ideas. When we launch something completely new, it starts out in the Optismo Labs.Optismo EIM3:The Enterprise Information Management Maturity Model (or EIM3) is an open source model to help companies gauge their Information Management maturity.

OCT 2018: Information Coalition merged with ARMA International, the Information Governance Conference brand is now a part of the ARMA International family.Co-created, manage, and host The Information Governance Conference brand and event, the premier Information Governance gathering.

• Assisted global sales and marketing team to drive business to law firm, corporate legal, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, financial, insurance and government verticals• Partnered with VP of Product Strategy to design and develop new features for continued market growth of the FileTrail product• Worked with clients to customize FileTrail product to meet their unique needs and goals• Advised clients and prospects on information governance strategy and best practices• Responsible for all content marketing efforts such as monthly webinars, white papers, blogs and social media platforms• Frequent speaker at national and local industry events – ARMA, AIIM, ILTA, InfoGovCon

*The Company has merged with LeftGen to form Optismo*Edward Allen Group is a highly specialized Training, Contract staffing and Consulting Firm with the sole purpose of enhancing the skills of both individuals and organizations to ensure records and information governance principles and best practices are achieved. HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT It has become increasingly difficult for organizations to manage and govern information across the enterprise. The number one reason records and information governance programs fail is due to a lack of education and training. Not only do we offer placements services, but we help train your existing and future employees, preparing them to succeed in the information workplace. In addition, we have a team of highly skilled professionals including Information Governance Professionals (IGPs), Certified Information Professionals (CIPs), technology experts and AIIM education partners. Our knowledge in records and information governance is second to none

• Responsible for creation, use, maintenance and disposition of both hard copy and electronic documents across all systems and repositories• Proposed and implemented document retention policy and procedures outlining the management and governance of both client and administrative records• Facilitated regular bi-weekly strategy meetings with practice group leaders, c-level executives and other key stakeholders to drive records and information governance initiatives• Ensured retention schedule is up to date and in compliance with all federal, state, local laws and regulations• Responsible for maintaining vendor relationships and assist in contract negotiations and/or new vendor selection processes (i.e. software, off-site storage, etc.)• Led records management cost reduction initiative thereby reducing department cost by 50% per annum• Responsible for working with attorney’s, paralegals and clients to execute legal hold and eDiscovery requests• Performed file transfers to client and/or other counsel in timely manner• Partnered with IT department and other department heads to create a paper-lite environment • Partnered with IT department to perform regular information system database backups, update disaster recovery processes and software platform conversions and migrations• Partnered with General Counsel and Executive Director on a yearly basis to update and submit malpractice insurance renewal• Monitored new business intake and conflict of interest process• Ensured firms compliance with Insider Trading Policy• Provided education training to firm personnel on records and information governance best practices• Responsible for management and retention of library publications and electronic knowledge management database