Stephen Underwood Email & Phone Number

Springfield, Illinois, Us

As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Department of Innovation and Technology within the Insurance Department of Illinois, I collaborate closely with the Agency Director and senior leaders to align our enterprise vision with legislative changes and auditing expectations, providing strategic guidance to ensure technology initiatives support the organization's mission.In my leadership role, I manage a diverse team of professionals, fostering collaboration to effectively handle workloads and achieve departmental objectives. I am dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and excellence.I led the implementation of the Salesforce complaints, licensing, and regulatory case management system, streamlining processes and enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, I oversaw the transformation of multiple legacy applications, decommissioning aging servers for a modern and secure technology infrastructure.Active participation in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) processes is integral. I ensure cross-divisional collaboration in unit and regression testing, maintaining data integrity through open communication channels with the team and stakeholders.Facilitating the modernization of consumer-facing websites, I ensure a user-friendly experience and provide training sessions to DOI staff on enterprise standard tools, empowering efficient day-to-day operations.Consistently preparing detailed reports and presentations, I enhance transparency, keeping stakeholders informed of project outcomes and key initiatives. These efforts contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the value generated through technological advancements within the organization.

Springfield, Illinois, Us

As a forward-thinking CIO, I am adept at leading a nimble group of developers through a diverse range of projects, all while steering towards our grand vision. By leveraging Agile methodologies, we adapt swiftly to evolving needs and deliver exceptional results.My commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance is unwavering. I prioritize ensuring that applications align with FCIAA, enterprise security standards, and adhere to PCI Compliance, safeguarding sensitive information and protecting the organization from potential threats.To foster a centralized IT environment that optimally serves the agency, I am instrumental in creating agency-wide policies and procedures. By establishing comprehensive frameworks, I streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and enable seamless collaboration across teams.As a visionary leader, I am relentless in driving technological innovation within the organization. I leverage emerging technologies and industry best practices to develop strategic roadmaps that align with business objectives, empower teams, and deliver tangible value.By embodying a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, I foster an environment that promotes creativity, engagement, and continuous learning. I empower my team to excel by providing mentorship, fostering professional growth, and encouraging cross-functional collaboration.In summary, I am a results-oriented CIO who excels at leading agile development teams, ensuring security and compliance, crafting agency-wide policies, and driving technological innovation. With a clear focus on the larger vision, I empower teams to achieve excellence and maximize the agency's IT potential.

Bloomington, Il, Us

As a Technology Director, my expertise lies in identifying needs and inefficiencies within organizations, learning about emerging technologies and trends, and utilizing this knowledge to inform and guide strategic decision-making. I excel at selling technology solutions, working within budget constraints, and planning for the future.I have a proven track record of investing in innovative technologies that align with organizational goals and integrating them seamlessly into existing systems. Documenting processes and procedures is a key aspect of my approach, ensuring clear communication and knowledge transfer.One of my key strengths is educating both technical and non-technical stakeholders about technology advancements, their potential benefits, and best practices for implementation. I believe in a continuous improvement mindset, constantly evaluating and refining strategies to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.In summary, I am a results-driven Technology Director with a comprehensive skill set in identifying needs, learning, informing, selling, budgeting, planning, investing, integrating, documenting, educating, and iterating to drive organizational success through technology excellence.

Bloomington, Il, Us

In my role at the Illinois Soybean Growers and Illinois Soybean Board, I strategically align technology with organizational values and goals. Administering the computer network and diverse server technologies, my skills include Drupal (6, 7, 8), Docker, GIT, PHP, CSS/SCSS, JS/JQuery, Apache Solr, Redis, Varnish, VMware ESXi, Windows Servers, Linux (CentOS), and EMC.I research and develop solutions, oversee IT budget contracts, manage software/hardware upgrades, and licensing agreements. Regular communication with vendors ensures alignment with leading technology trends. I actively explore innovative IT approaches for consumer communication and work closely with contractors to fulfill agreements.My responsibilities extend to managing the cloud server environment, disaster recovery solutions, and computer controls policies. I monitor network security, implement centralized anti-virus solutions, and assist staff with security-related issues.Developing and maintaining SQL/MySQL database applications is crucial, covering areas such as contacts data, inventory, meeting management, and membership databases. Additionally, I coordinate audio/visual needs for conferencing, including video conferences and webinars.In summary, I play a vital role in strategically aligning technology, administering diverse server technologies, managing contracts and security, and ensuring a robust and innovative IT infrastructure for the Illinois Soybean Growers and Illinois Soybean Board.

As a Systems Integrator at Hanson Information Systems from May 2010 to Sep 2012 (2 yrs 5 mos), I performed installation and troubleshooting for Microsoft server and Office products. My role included diagnosing and resolving issues in Windows network environments.I delivered comprehensive technology solutions for businesses, covering diverse computing aspects like backup solutions, wireless access points, and server/workgroup configurations. Additionally, I implemented maintenance procedures and conducted virus removal on desktop and laptop computers from major brands.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Information Technology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Computer Science