Manages all IT activities for the agency and serves as the IT advisor to the Commissioner and executive leadership team. Provide executive level analysis, advice, and makes decisions to ensure the agency remains effective and efficient in managing its information technology functions. Performs strategic consulting and the support, development, and implementation of key IT initiatives, protocols, policies, standards, and procedures, while ensuring the integrity and security of systems and networks. Partner with all members of the executive leadership team, provide day-to-day operational and strategic oversight of the agency’s IT department, partner with agency-wide staff to resolve IT issues, in consultation with State of Montana Information Technology Services Division (SITSD) as appropriate, and be accountable for building and implementing effective and efficient agency-wide IT solutions to serve the agency’s needs.

Provide leadership, direction and supervision of ~40 data and technology professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations of the data management and information technology services and systems utilized by the Office of Public Instruction. Accountable for the overall flow, accuracy, and security of agency and school district data. Ensures that agency data is available, reliable, consistent, accessible, secure, and timely to support the mission and activities of the agency.• Create and execute the big picture of data priorities and strategies for the agency and for Montana public school districts• Ensures that agency data is available, reliable, consistent, accessible, secure, and timely to support the mission and activities of the agency.• Advocates for a data-driven culture within the agency and the education community in Montana. This includes convincing and including everyone from the Superintendent to front-line workers of the importance of data, security, and privacy.

Provide leadership and direction to the members of the Systems Development Bureau team. This team develops, maintains and supports the OPI’s website, extranet and intranet and more than 60 OPI custom and vendor supplied computer applications.• Manage a team of 12 IT professionals and multiple contractors, including programmers, project managers, business analysts and web developers.• Evaluate emerging technologies and apply them to improving the business operations of the OPI.• Project oversight of all software development projects in the OPI.

Manage the IT resources for the Department of Administration (DOA), consisting of 8 divisions and 6 administratively attached agencies providing a wide variety of services to other state and local agencies and the general public. • Oversee and administer all internal information technology activities, budgets, programs and systems, including mobile communications device management, software license compliance, service level agreements and compliance with statutory requirements.• Develop and administer technology policies, procedures and strategic IT plans for the DOA. • Worked closely with business process owners to understand and analyze process and system problems and develop appropriate technology solutions.• Implemented the Montana Operations Manual system, an electronic policy management and compliance system for all Statewide and Department of Administration policies and procedures.

• Founded managed services company focused on providing core (systems administration & data management) technology services to lawyers, law firms and other legal professionals. • Produced a comprehensive business plan, including cash flow, sales and profit & loss projection statements.• Developed marketing plan and established service level agreements with 3rd party managed service providers.

Steadily promoted through a variety of technical and leadership positions. Demonstrated ability to identify and deliver high value IT solutions and maintain a focus on customer service and satisfaction. Appointed by Mayor Mark Begich to the Information Technology Department executive leadership team in 2006.Data, Projects & Procurement Manager, Information Technology Department 2006-2009• Managed all operations of a division of 25 employees and a $3M budget, including the database administration, GIS development and project management teams.• Managed vendor relationships, monitored and audited technology spending and ensured vendor compliance with contracts and agreements, conducted negotiations, liaison with the Purchasing and Legal Departments, wrote requests for proposals and led selection processes for IT purchases.• Created IT Project Management Office and developed standards and procedures to successfully manage and complete projects in a uniform and consistent manner.Project Manager/Systems Analyst, Planning and Development Center 2001-2006• Project manager for multiple large-scale software and web development projects. • Analyzed complex business situations and processes, provided technical recommendations for new information systems and designed and implemented program plans and solutions.• Made extensive use of remote management and performance monitoring tools to support system installation, maintenance and troubleshooting.• Specified, procured and installed IT equipment and software applications

• I was responsible for all information technology implementations at ANHS. I supported 30+ users in multiple locations across Anchorage and coordinated and managed all technology projects within the company and was the primary contact with outside vendors and contractors. I provided the first line technical support and training for end users. I installed, configured, maintained and repaired servers, PCs and peripherals. I installed and supported commercial software (i.e. MS Office, WordPerfect, etc.) and customized in-house and contractor-supplied applications. I performed backup and restore operations of critical data. Served as the systems administrator for email, user accounts, and server-based applications and databases. Managed and maintained the network infrastructure, firewall and Internet connections and VPN connections for remote users. I also provided technical oversight for website development.

• Provided technical support for dial-up, DSL and domain hosting for chugach.net (ISP) customers. Answered customer inquiries, diagnosed, troubleshoot and resolved customer problems, primarily via telephone or email. Duties also include all “backside” support of the customer accounts, i.e. managing e-mail accounts, virtual domains, monitoring the network for outages and deficiencies, and applying corrective and preventive actions and solutions. Also helped to define, document and streamline the customer acquisition, support and termination processes.

• Provided computer support services to the MSU-Billings campus community, including students, faculty and staff. I installed, configured and maintained servers, PCs and peripherals. I provided training, education and documentation for users. I coordinated IP address assignments and managed printer queues. I installed, tested, used and troubleshoot off-the-shelf software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphic programs, Internet browsers, e-mail, decoders, anti-virus and other miscellaneous applications. I was the system, email and network administrator of a 500+ user Windows NT 4.0 and Exchange 5.5 server system at the College of Technology (COT) campus. I assisted in maintaining and expanding the physical network (cabling, routers, switches, etc.) infrastructure at the COT.

• Provided technology consulting and services for small businesses and individuals, primarily attorneys and law firms. Provided needs analysis, procurement, installation, maintenance of equipment, and training and support for end users. I also served as an authorized reseller and service provider for Compaq, HP, and IBM and performed on-site warranty repair work for Gateway and Dell as a 3rd party provider.