Mark Samuels Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Farmers Branch, Texas, Us

As the Director of Innovation & Technology, I lead a dynamic team to drive the city's technology strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. I oversee all aspects of IT operations, from infrastructure management and cybersecurity to digital transformation initiatives.Key achievements include:Strategic Leadership: Developed and implemented comprehensive IT strategies that enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.Team Development: Fostered a culture of innovation and accountability, mentoring a high-performing team of IT professionals.Cybersecurity & Compliance: Strengthened the city's security posture, ensuring compliance with critical standards such as CJIS, HIPAA, and PCI.Innovation & Digital Transformation: Spearheaded modernization efforts, leveraging emerging technologies to improve service delivery.Collaboration & Communication: Bridged technical and non-technical audiences, enhancing collaboration across city departments.With a focus on continuous improvement, I am committed to leveraging technology to advance the city's strategic goals and enhance the quality of life for our community.

A water district is a political subdivision for defining objectives, setting policy and providing management oversight for the population of the district (Castle Hills). The District is empowered to purchase, operate and maintain all facilities, plants and improvements necessary to provide water, sanitary sewer service, storm sewer drainage, irrigation, roadways, solid waste collection and disposal, including recycling, parks and recreational facilities for the residents of the District.

Provide technology management consulting services to public and private sector clients; assisting them with implementing or improving tools and procedures designed to make IT more cost effective and better aligned with customer's business strategy. Primary areas of concentration are:• IT Strategy and Governance• IT/Business Alignment and Stakeholder Management• Technology Evaluation and Selection• Organizational and Operational Efficiency• Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics

Garland, Texas, Us

Served as key advisor and leader on technology strategy and infrastructure initiatives. Responsible for the delivery of key technology services including: data center management, desktop and help desk support, project management office (PMO), and business customer consulting services. Managed teams responsible for the implementation and maintenance of all core technology infrastructure and applications including: server, network and data-storage technologies; and telecommunications and radio networks.• Managed staff of 40 FTE’s and combined operating/capital budgets of $15 million/year• Achieved significant budget savings through organizational right sizing, infrastructure optimization, and renegotiating vendor contracts• Improved customer relationships and increased operational efficiencies by creating and implementing standard operational processes, forming a business relationship management team, establishing service level agreements and monitoring key performance indicators • Implemented governance processes, which increased oversight, accountability, and improved the TCO & ROI of strategic IT investments• Improved the capability, value and quality of services delivered to both citizens and internal customers by stabilizing critical business systems, enhancing disaster recovery capabilities and leading efforts to re-engineer existing website and create a city-wide intranet• Implemented aggressive virtualization and thin client solutions. Virtualized more than 75% of existing servers (150+) using VMware. Implemented Citrix for alternative desktop delivery and remote access. Saved more than $1 million/year in capital expenditures. Extended asset life by 20%. Reduced operational costs and technical headcount by 25%

Directed day-to-day activities of the $35M IT outsourcing operation, which provides all onsite technology services for the City of Carrollton, Texas. Overall accountability for client satisfaction, technical operations, contract deliverables, successful project completion and meeting financial performance objectives. • Worked closely with all levels of city government, executives and management; key consultant on planning, policies & procedures, and long term technology strategy• Led the creation and implementation of structured service delivery processes, procedures and tools, which significantly improved stakeholder relationships, technical operations and project delivery• Re-designed and upgraded city's data center; reducing operational costs and improving efficiency, reliability and performance

Led the technical operations and services groups which provided data center management; desktop and help desk support; and implementation and maintenance of all core technology infrastructure including: server, network and data-storage technologies; and telecommunications and radio networks. • Led design and implementation of a state of the art fixed microwave WAN solution, which significantly reduced recurring telecom costs while vastly improving network performance and reliability. Project received the Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers Excellence Award• Sold and managed the implementation of a $5M multi-jurisdictional public safety radio system upgrade. Saved $450K by utilizing alternative vendor sourcing strategy. Improved coverage more than 50%• Assessed, made strategic recommendations to city executives and managed successful upgrades to mission critical Public Safety technologies. Managed the design, implementation and operation of innovative and complex audio/visual, security, and video surveillance solutions• Introduced and directed the implementation of thin-client computing, unified communications/messaging, server virtualization, secure high speed wireless WAN, disk based backup, VoIP and SAN technologies as part of many innovative technology initiatives

Managed the radio and telecommunications operations for the City of Carrollton as part of the technology outsourcing contract with ACS.• Cultivated and managed relationships with key stakeholders• Developed a communications technology strategy, which aligned technology objectives with business needs and expectations.• Assessed, made strategic recommendations to city executives and managed upgrades to mission critical, multi-jurisdictional radio communications systems.

Plano, Tx, Us

Managed the overall operations of critical public safety technologies, including multi-jurisdictional radio communications systems, outdoor early warning systems and 9-1-1 telecommunications equipment. • Assessed, made strategic recommendations to city executives and managed implementations and upgrades to critical Public Safety technologies, including Public Safety radio communications and outdoor early warning systems• Managed and maintained $8.9M of core communications infrastructure assets

Mckinney, Texas, Us

Recruited as the first civilian Emergency Communications and 9-1-1 manager for the city of McKinney. Directed the day-to-day operations of the Emergency Communications Center, which served McKinney and surrounding jurisdictions. Managed the implementation and maintenance of all critical Public Safety technologies, including Enhanced 9-1-1, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and radio communication systems.• Reformulated and improved the department’s operational procedures and technical standards• Managed the implementation of many complex technology initiatives • Identified vendors, negotiated purchases and educated city officials on latest technologies Prior positions held: Shift Supervisor and Communications Operator

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