Zach Brown Email & Phone Number

Indianapolis, Indiana, Us

VP of IT (Global)Reports to COO | Team Size: 30 (ITSM, Data Integrations, PMO, ERP, CRM, Development)Leadership: Spearheaded global IT operations, leading a 30-member team to drive digital transformation and align technology initiatives with business strategy. AI Integration: Pioneered the adoption of AI-driven tools, including Salesforce Einstein, ChatGPT for Teams, GitHub Copilot, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, enhancing productivity and decision-making across the organization. M&A Integration: Designed and implemented a comprehensive Technology M&A Playbook to streamline the integration of IT systems, processes, and data for newly acquired companies. Cybersecurity Focus: Established a "Cybersecurity-First" organizational posture, embedding security as a core priority in all new technology solutions, system upgrades, and project initiatives.

Monticello, In, Us

Director of IT (Global) - Reports to CEO - 8 reports (ITSM, Data, Project Management)Leadership: Led a talented team in managing IT operations spanning infrastructure, helpdesk support, software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, project management, and business analysis.AI Implementation: Successfully introduced Copilot for Microsoft 365, enhancing productivity and collaboration among our office staff through AI-driven solutions.ERP Migration: Initiated a multi-year project to migrate from legacy ERP systems to Microsoft Dynamics, ensuring scalability and efficiency in our operations.Automation Initiatives: Led automation projects leveraging Power Automate, NinjaOne, and PowerShell to modernize HR, Accounting, and ITSM processes, driving efficiency and cost savings.Manufacturing Modernization: Spearheaded the integration of automated barcode scanners into manufacturing processes, enhancing operational efficiency, accuracy, and traceability across production facilities.Business Process Improvement: Directed a team in mapping our ERP processes, identifying inefficiencies, and designing future-state processes, resulting in streamlined operations and improved productivity across the global organization.Infrastructure Upgrades: Oversaw the upgrade of on-premise infrastructure including migrating virtual servers to VMWare 8.0, converting the network backbone to 25gb fiber, and deployment of a new Wifi 6 Ubiquiti wireless network, enabling 24x7 production shifts and boosting production capacity.Cybersecurity Stack Enhancements: Led efforts to upgrade our cybersecurity stack, focusing on NGAV (Crowdstrike), EDR (Wazzuh), and implementing Cloud Disaster Recovery, Anti-Phishing, and Security Awareness training (Barracuda), ensuring robust protection against evolving cyber threats.

Indianapolis, In, Us

Director of IT - Reports to COO - 5 reports and 30+ vendor relationships (Business Intelligence - BI, ITSM, Development, & Cyber Security).Leadership: Established a Cyber Security Task Force to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and coordinate security best practices across Indiana hospitals.Digital Transformation Roadmap: Advanced our IT Strategy by developing a comprehensive IT Roadmap for Digital Transformation with a "Cloud First" focus, leveraging Microsoft Azure solutions.Legacy Migration Project: Managed a project to migrate internally developed web applications based on Internet Explorer dependency to browser-agnostic platforms, enhancing accessibility and compatibility.IT Department Restructuring: Restructured the IT department to focus on core competencies and managed external vendors to supplement internal skill sets.HIPAA Compliance: Restructured IT policies to align with HIPAA compliance requirements and implemented the NIST Cyber Security Framework.Microsoft Dynamics CRM Migration: Initiated a project to migrate to a new Microsoft Dynamics CRM, enhancing data management and operational efficiency.Cloud Migration Initiative: Launched a Cloud Migration project to transition commoditized systems to the cloud, while refactoring web applications for cloud compliance and reducing technical debt.Microsoft Azure Implementation: Implemented various Microsoft Azure cloud services, including Azure Site Recovery, Azure Files, Fortinet Firewall for Azure, Azure Conditional Access & Modern Authentication, and Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), enhancing scalability, security, and efficiency.Cybersecurity Upgrades: Implemented cybersecurity upgrades including application layer zero-trust (Threatlocker), network layer zero-trust (Aruba Clearpass), email security (Barracuda Total Email Protection), Microsoft 365 Advanced Threat Protection, and Fortinet firewall/VPN with MFA, fortifying defenses against cyber threats.

Indianapolis, In, Us

Director of IT - 4 Direct Reports. 16 total staff within IT (Development, ITSM, PMR, & BI). 250+ outsourced vendor staff.Payroll System Migration: Led a $25 million project to migrate the payroll system for 32,000 employees from Infor GEAC on an IBM mainframe to Oracle PeopleSoft HCM 9.2 in a VMware Private Cloud. Also spearheaded staff training efforts for seamless transition.Program Management Excellence: Served as the Program Manager for all IT projects, orchestrating the successful execution and delivery of initiatives to meet organizational objectives.Hybrid Cloud Migration: Directed a $1 million project to migrate the on-premises data center to a hybrid cloud platform using Azure and VMware 7.0. Integrated Azure Active Directory with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), deployed encrypted email, and implemented Windows Virtual Desktops (DaaS).Disaster Recovery Optimization: Led a six-month project that reduced Disaster Recovery costs by $75,000 per year by migrating to a new vendor.Software Licensing Cost Reduction: Led a project to reduce software licensing costs by over $200,000 by analyzing current business needs and negotiating new software agreements.Digital Transformation: Led a six-month Digital Transformation project enabling all staff to transition rapidly to telecommuting during the pandemic. Concurrently implemented Microsoft 365 throughout the organization.Culture of Continuous Learning: Fostered a culture of continuous learning department-wide by promoting certifications, advanced degrees, and LinkedIn Learning courses, empowering staff to advance their skill sets and careers.Vendor Management: Led a large project to outsource the printing of 1 million checks per year to an external vendor with printing Disaster Recovery capabilities.Leadership: Crafted and promoted a vision for IT aligning with the organization's overall goals, including AI/ML chatbots, Dashboards, Automation, ITIL Framework, and Content Management Systems.

Jersey City, New Jersey, Us

Managing Director / IT Director - 2 direct reports. 20 person team. 50+ outsourced vendor staff.Custom Analytics and Dashboards Deployment: Led a project to deploy custom analytics and dashboards for management reporting, providing actionable insights to drive informed decision-making and enhance business performance.Project Management Transformation: Successfully converted the organization to be projectized, overseeing several multi-million dollar projects to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and deliver tangible results.Asset Management Contract Negotiations: Negotiated asset management contracts with multiple universities, fostering strategic partnerships and expanding the branch office's reach in the market.Operations Management: Managed operations for a portfolio of $150 million in managed assets, optimizing processes and leveraging technology to drive efficiency and maximize returns for clients.Successful Business Exit/Sale: Negotiated a successful seven-figure exit (sale) of the business, demonstrating strategic foresight and financial acumen in navigating complex transactions.

Thorntown, Indiana, Us

IT Manager / Quality Manager - Reports to COO - 3 direct reports. 10 person team. 20 outsourced vendor staff.My role encompassed strategic oversight of IT management and quality initiatives that supported the company's manufacturing operations.Highlights:Global Project Management: Managed global teams and vendors across multiple $5 million+ projects, coordinating efforts across countries including China, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mexico, Netherlands, and Czech Republic, ensuring seamless collaboration, communication, and project success.ERP Selection and Implementation: Led a $1 million+ project to pilot and select an ERP solution, including SAP, INFOR Visual, and Epicor. Successfully piloted INFOR Visual and implemented it as the chosen ERP system, optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency.Lean Process Improvement: Led a Lean Process Improvement team, leveraging financial analysis & business analytics to identify waste and implement lean business processes. Reduced scrap material and product defects by 20%, resulting in savings of $450,000 and fueling continuous improvement efforts.Server Consolidation: Led a server consolidation project, reducing the number of servers by 50% and achieving annualized cost savings of $35,000, streamlining IT infrastructure and optimizing resource utilization.Virtualization with VMware: Migrated physical servers to virtual servers using VMware, enhancing scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of IT infrastructure.Quality Assurance Contracts: Negotiated contracts for quality assurance with multiple Fortune 500-sized companies, ensuring compliance with industry standards and enhancing product quality and customer satisfaction.

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

IT Director - Reports to CFO - 3 direct reports. 25+ outsourced vendor staff.Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance: Implemented and managed a Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance project, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while saving the company $1.2 million in outsourcing and compliance costs.Telecom Modernization: Organized and led a team to reduce annual telecom costs by over 50% by implementing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions globally. This project expanded our collaboration abilities and improved network bandwidth to branch offices.Business Unit Integration: Successfully onboarded and integrated two acquired business units, overseeing the upgrade of disaster recovery plans and business continuity measures. Led the integration of IT networks into the enterprise, spanning sites across the nation, to ensure seamless operations and data integrity.

Business Manager and Lead Network Engineer - 3 direct reports. 100+ outsourced vendor staff.Nationwide Expansion: Scaled the business from serving Colorado to providing IT services nationwide, establishing data centers in strategic locations including Orlando, New York, Chicago, and Denver, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of our clients across the country.Network Penetration Service: Implemented a new network penetration service to enhance security analysis for clients, ensuring robust protection against cyber threats and vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure.Network Design and Implementation: Launched a network design and implementation service focusing on Cisco network infrastructure, connecting branch and remote offices to support low-latency applications. This initiative improved connectivity and efficiency for our clients' operations.Successful Business Exit: Negotiated a successful exit for the startup after achieving consistent annual growth of over 20% for three consecutive years, demonstrating strategic leadership and business acumen in navigating the company's growth trajectory.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

IT System Administrator - Web & Internet Applications DivisionWebsite Migration: Led the migration of the "Build your own Mustang" website from Solaris to Linux & Apache, improving scalability and efficiency of the web platform.Linux System Administration: Managed the Linux server infrastructure for Ford's web applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.System Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Built DEV, TEST, QA, and PROD linux environments to allow web site changes to go through the full SDLC pipeline. This streamlined application testing and deployment, enabling iterative improvements and innovation.Disaster Recovery Testing: Established a replicated TEST environment on Red Hat Linux for disaster recovery testing, ensuring continuity of operations and data integrity in case of system failures.Global Collaboration: Interfaced with global development teams in Europe and Asia to coordinate website updates globally, fostering seamless collaboration and alignment of digital initiatives across regions.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration, Management And Operations

Bs, Computer Information Systems