Michael Issaev Email & Phone Number

Niagara Falls, Ny, Us

Creating next-generation digital capabilities by utilizing artificial intelligence and other modern technologies.

Toronto, On, Ca

Providing technology management consulting, part-time, interim CIO/CTO services.

Supporting Canadian businesses in adopting new technologies

Troy, Michigan, Us

Restructured the entire IT team for optimal efficiency.Established industry standard development, support, and operations processes. These changes significantly improved efficiency of delivering high quality client solutions, along with the flexibility and stability of the platform. Initiated and successfully delivered a new multi-tenant SaaS system to replace a set of legacy applications. The new system included several innovative modules, such as social media analytics, big data analytics, and text mining. This resulted in increased revenue and improved customer experience, as well as attracted new clients. Achieved dramatic turnaround in client satisfaction through steady delivery on commitments and improvements in customer support. Strengthened risk management. Initiated Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity planning. Conducted technology due diligence as part of M&A initiatives. Seamlessly merged operations and teams with Seattle-based Enprecis. Turned around a demoralized IT team which then nominated me for the Canadian CIO of the Year award.

Vancouver, Bc, Ca

Oversaw technology for both SaaS and Supply Chain divisions. Streamlined technology area at this dynamic start-up and took it to the next level.Software as a Service cloud platform includes high transaction, high availability E-Commerce solution serving millions of customers worldwide for such clients as Air Canada, WestJet, Emirates, Flight Centre, and others.Integrated Supply Chain solution serves such clients as Nestle, Whirlpool, Best Buy, and others.Utilized agile software development methodology.

Toronto, On, Ca

Reporting to the CEO and overseeing technology for the entire Group, transformed Sunwing’s IT to an efficient, forward-thinking, secure, compliant, and scalable environment to support the company’s growth. Rebuilt the whole IT infrastructure, establishing redundancy, scalability, security, disaster recovery capabilities. Through various cost saving initiatives, reduced IT cost by $550K annually.Successfully managed the technological aspects of a merger between Sunwing and Signature Vacations Group. Ensured zero downtime in the reservation process, including the reservation system and the call centre operation.Developed a number of systems for various divisions, such as an airline passenger information system, a custom CRM, a major eCommerce website, and a set of yield management tools. Implemented major transformation and digitalization projects, such as a big data BI solution using SAP Business Objects and a Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution.

Toronto, On, Ca

Mandated to support the growth and wider spectrum of products beyond traditional event management and incentive travel. In addition to providing overall technology vision and leadership and introducing new technological offerings, immediate goals included streamlining the Technology area.Reorganized IT by consolidating two separate units, client and internal technology, thus eliminating redundancy.Expanded roster of products and services. Introduced Web 2.0 technologies, such as social networking websites, mobile event assistant, virtual meetings. Implemented Client Portal for customers' self-service needs.Initiated Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) claim with expected recovery close to $400,000.

Reporting to the CFO, provided leadership and overall strategic direction for Information Technology, including telecommunication systems, network, servers, and business applications for 71 Canadian offices and 11 international locations in Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Dominican Republic. Managed a team of 15 technical staff and a budget of $5.5M.Reviewed and consolidated all IT and Administration expenses. Replaced underperforming and expensive service providers with a select few strategic partners. Cut annual cost by $200,000.Initiated the replacement of the main reservation ERP system which resulted in savings of $250,000 annually.Improved the level of IT Help Desk service through staff coaching and implementing strict controls over call handling procedures; achieved a 50% reduction in average number of open calls within three months.Upgraded core servers, desktops, and the main Avaya phone system. Implemented Storage Area Network. Initiated implementation of MPLS, VoIP, and outsourcing of server hosting under tight SLA’s.Successfully moved corporate head office from Toronto to Mississauga in 2 days; achieved zero downtime in move.

Reported to the CFO. Responsible for systems development for the entire Canadian division. Managed a team of 4-7 Programmer/Analysts. Lead the development of a Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence solution, which provided management with valuable up-to-date information; resulted in faster, more accurate decision-making and ultimately a business turnaround from $16M loss to $17M profit in 5 years.Seconded to the UK for 4 months to assist the UK Specialist Division with selecting a new reservation system. Negotiated a cost reduction of £1.3M (CAD $3M) – a 50% savings for the project.Selected custom systems developed: transactional websites for Signature Vacations and Encore Cruises, Sales Force Automation, Knowledge Base, Help Desk System, Purchasing and Invoicing System.

St Neots, Gb

The company manufactured “weigh-in-motion” scales for trucks. Real-time software running on an on-board computer captured weight and time information from the scales and transmitted it to a Base Station PC via wireless communications.Reported to the President. Responsible for all aspects of Information Technology, including infrastructure, telecommunications, and software development.

A privately-owned consulting company that specialised in custom application development, primarily for large-scale clients that included Wrigley’s, Unilever, Novartis, Alcon, Ciba-Vision, Elisabeth Arden, British Airways, AT&T, Laurentian Bank, AXA Insurance, London Life, Corporate Express, Carlson Marketing Group, LAM Wholesale and Retail, and others.Reported to the President. Selected systems developed: web-based Credit Card Protection System, Sales Force Automation Systems, Inventory Management, Order Processing, Warehousing and Billing Systems, Retail Point of Sale (POS) System, Employee Incentive Systems, Consumer Loyalty Systems.

Among other projects, developed a Just-in-Time manufacturing and distribution optimization system for Odessa Port Plant.

Business Management

Master Of Science, Computer Science