Robert Katchen Email & Phone Number

Provide strategic direction and guidance in the development and implementation of all AAP enterprise-wide solutions and information systems. Direct the development of the overall long range AAP-wide digital strategy and short term strategy for systems development, hardware acquisition, software development, and integration, including, networks, voice/telecommunications equipment, and microcomputer applications. Provide Academy wide direction in areas of policy, security, and e-commerce relating directly to information systems. Facilitate the alignment of IT initiatives with business objectives to ensure the proper use of appropriate technologies to achieve stated business objectives.

Oversee and direct all Academy information technology systems strategy and implementation activities. Direct the development of the overall long range and short term strategy for systems development, hardware acquisition, software development, and integration, including, networks, voice/telecommunications equipment, and microcomputer applications. Provide Academy wide direction in areas of policy, security, and e-commerce relating directly to information systems. Facilitate the alignment of IT initiatives with business objectives to ensure the proper use of appropriate technologies to achieve stated business objectives.

Oversee and direct all Academy information technology systems strategy and implementation activities. Direct the development of the overall long range and short term strategy for systems development, hardware acquisition, software development, and integration, including, networks, voice/telecommunications equipment, and microcomputer applications. Provide Academy wide direction in areas of policy, security, and e-commerce relating directly to information systems. Facilitate the alignment of IT initiatives with business objectives to ensure the proper use of appropriate technologies to achieve stated business objectives.

Responsible for the strategic direction and management of all systems Infrastructure, Enterprise Storage, Middleware, Telecommunications, Information Security, Disaster Recovery and Help Desk services to support the business operations and objectives across the Academy’s enterprise. Full budgetary responsibility for Expense and Capital budget creation, tracking and management to on-going actual results.

Direct all areas of IT Infrastructure, Operations, Telecommunications, Information Security, Disaster Recovery and Help Desk. Leading a team of six Infrastructure, Network and Operations professionals, and two full time Network consultants. Develop and implement strategies for network redesign and cloud based computing. Partner with functional business areas to improve overall support and service level improvements. Manage project portfolio and assignment of resources with full budgetary responsibilities.

Build and leverage effective alliances within and across both the technology and business functions. Plan at a strategic/tactical level, direct the effective use of resources, and assign staff to design, develop, maintain and implement major, highly complex systems and projects supporting the business and technology areas. Manage QA and Support teams that are responsible for daily support of existing software applications. Partner with assigned business application owners to identify and implement technology solutions. Translates technical information into functional information for end-users. Perform feasibility studies, identify and research potential solution options and provide cost-benefit and systems analysis. Train, mentor, develop and manage a team of 16 technical professionals and consultants.

Member of the Lagasse senior leadership team, with responsibility for all technology functions. Prepared and managed departmental budget of over $7M; responsible for ensuring IT budget does not exceed plan and for providing budgetary reductions to meet overall company objectives. Created and established cross-company Shared Services to leverage organizational synergies for non-differentiating IT functions. Ensured Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and validation of Lagasse IT controls. Managed the relationship with multiple software/hardware providers, inclusive of purchases, contract negotiations and re-negotiation of maintenance agreements. Trained, mentored, developed and managed a team of 11 technical professionals. Delivered Company Leadership training (DELTA) as one of the key company value drivers in creation of a High Performance Organization. Delivered and implemented IT and Business facing projects.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Developed, oversight and maintenance of United Stationers’ security program, information security strategy, and information security policies and standards. Responsible for overall IT Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, monitoring for policy compliance, security architecture support and review, security communications, training and IT Disaster Recovery. Prepared and managed Security Governance Budget. Managed relationship with various consultancies for security services, software, hardware and staffing augmentation. Managed the relationship with IT-DR provider, inclusive of contract negotiations, equipment definitions and coordination of biannual testing.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Developed centralized security strategy which brought together many disparate security functions. Trained, mentored, and development of Data Security personnel. Developed relationships with various business functions to communicate security practices as well as establish the department as a single point of contact. Established a strong relationship between Data Security and the business as well as the disparate areas within IT. Provided the HR team a single point of contact to maintain confidentiality, integrity and execution of severances as they occurred, resulting in a successful implementation of both the voluntary and involuntary separations.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Supervised Technical Support staff responsible for installation and maintenance of all IBM and third party software products on the mainframe computer system. Participated in the interview and evaluation process for all potential new Technical Support personnel. This includes training and familiarization of company standards and procedures once a candidate has been hired. Responsible for managing projects involving system software, hardware and peripherals. Inclusive of evaluation and recommendation of each project. Solved and reported System Software problems to IBM and other third party software vendors from inception of problem through problem resolution. This includes overseeing other Technical Support staff member’s projects and problems.

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