Looking Glass Presentation - Using today's technology for tomorrows classrooms.

About Myself

Strategic IT Leader who blends sound strategy, creativity, innovation and exceptional execution to improve organizational effectiveness and productivity. A Change Agent adept in creating and leading multi-site government operations. Business savvy with a diverse background as a business founder and owner with proven success as an IT leader who effectively balances people skills with keen analytical thinking. Noted for improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency through leadership that aligns the business processes and IT infrastructure to realize cost savings, accelerate performance and sustain strategic flexibility while creating a competitive advantage for the organization. A passion and drive that synergizes and make things happen strategically.

Why Do I want to Work in Academia?

In my professional life, prior to working on my PhD, I worked in the technology field for 27 years and in a technology management capacity for 14 of the 27 years. The seeds of my desire to go into academics were sown four years ago, when during my Master’s program, I worked on class projects as part of a team with members that were less experienced in the professional mainstream. I spent some of my time outside of the project engaged in answering questions and inquiries about how “the real world is” from these students. These were very rewarding experiences that allowed me the opportunity to bring some of my research and work experience into the classroom and share it.

TEACHING

  • Presented research to a national industry conference in March 2015
  • Intro to MIS - Auburn University
  • IT Project Management - Auburn University
  • Finks Course Design Training

RESEARCH

  • What are the factors that contribute to perceived risk of government-based IS (GBIS)?
  • Conducted study on the socioeconomic impact of installing fiber optic cable to homes and maintained by the local governments
  • Analyzed and created statistical charts and graphs depicting economic impacts

Industry and teaching experience

How my IT experience translates to the classroom!
Experience is knowledge, and knowledge can become wisdom. This is what I offer to my students. I teach the class topic information, but I also teach them how to use that information to become better employees, team members, and managers. Ways to use that knowledge to continue to improve and prosper in their business endeavors and how to wisely use it.
How will I be a different teacher due to my work experience?
This industry experience also translates into becoming a better teacher, by attentiveness and learning from my students and other teachers. Experience has taught me how to be a member of a learning society; both my learning and theirs.

Information Technology
Executive

Red Coats, Inc. · Full-time
United States

Recruited to serve in multifaceted role at forefront of IT services, technology trends, and multisite operations for organization with 6 geographically dispersed sites and 10,000+ employees. Oversee and execute day-to-day IT infrastructure, strategy, staffing, vendor management, and P&L and budgeting for C-suite executives spanning 3 divisions. Serve as trusted advisor and subject matter expert on all IT matters, reporting directly to CEO.
  • Channeled project management methodology to promote continuous improvement; deployed Scrum and Agile software development to provide feedback and software delivery after sprints; tracked changes using version control systems.
  • Analyzed and created controls for cyber security risks and vulnerabilities
  • Formed and implemented procedures to collect evidence and conduct data analytics for cyber security breaches
Skills: Profit & Loss Management · IT Operations · Change Management · Budgeting · Software as a Service (SaaS) · Product Management · Engineering · Software Development · DevOps · Executive Management · Agile Methodologies · IT Infrastructure · IT Service Delivery · Continuous Improvement · Continuous Deployment · Budget & Finance Management · Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Deputy Program Manager

iCatalyst, Inc. · Full-time
Washington, District of Columbia,
United States

Delivered IT oversight and guidance of technology projects and activities for Department of Education. Managed and allocated new IT assets and systems at federal and state level. Adhered to federal contract specifications (scope of work), quality standards, budget, and schedule and submitted timely reports of technical progress; oversaw full P&L processes, strategic planning, and operational implementation for multimillion-dollar budgets spanning several sites.
  • Directed multiple, large-scale $500K–$5M IT projects. Facilitated frequent reviews and collaborated to develop, analyze, and report on KPIs and metrics to track performance. Improved reporting accuracy within 5–6% per project.
  • Achieved desired P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and profitable EBITDA performance.
Skills: IT Operations · Change Management · Budgeting · Software as a Service (SaaS) · Product Management · Software Development · DevOps · Agile Methodologies · IT Infrastructure · IT Service Delivery · Technical Ecosystem Strategy · Business Acumen · Risk Assessment & Analysis
Sr. Project Manager,
Department of Justice (DOJ)
US Trustee Program

MorphWorks · Full-time
Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided expert project and program management and system design support for DOJ, involving legacy application support and modernization, cloud-based development. Managed 13 software systems that supported oversight for courts and offices. Partnered with federal agencies and facilitated daily scrum, project sprint, and business requirement meetings.
  • Identified viable opportunities to incorporate emerging technologies for IT innovation and automation. Optimized performance by implementing SDLC, Scrum, and Agile development methodologies.
  • Analyzed cost, value, and risk to maximize resources and savings. Identified $3M in capital expenditures, enabling DOJ savings. Co-created machine learning solution to identify savings.
Skills: Profit & Loss Management · IT Operations · Change Management · Budgeting · Software as a Service (SaaS) · Product Management · Engineering · Software Development · DevOps · Agile Methodologies · Application Development · Project Planning & Management · Software Development & Life Cycle · Risk Assessment & Analysis · Budget & Finance Management
Chief Information
Officer

Physicians Assistant Education
Association · Full-time
Washington, District Of Columbia

Championed strategic direction and software development as first-ever IT director for nonprofit national organization representing PA educational programs. Maintained learning management system (LMS) and oversaw help desk functions; supported 60 full-time employees and remote offices spanning 3 states; elicited feedback from end-users to adapt and improve process.
  • Set up and completed Scrum and application release procedures with testing; streamlined process and improved efficiency, slashing 30–35% wasted effort. Created first ticketing and scheduling system.
  • Led needs analysis, requirements, planning, vendor management, development, and project management for SalesForce implementation that included Pardot and ServiceNow integration.
Skills: Profit & Loss Management · IT Operations · Change Management · Budgeting · Software as a Service (SaaS) · Product Management · Engineering · Software Development · Executive Management · Agile Methodologies · IT Service Delivery · Technical Ecosystem Strategy · Software Development & Life Cycle · Continuous Improvement · Budget & Finance Management
Lecturer

Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama Area

Prepared and delivered lectures comprising management information systems, cybersecurity, and program management for 2 classes per semester. Encouraged students to explore emerging technologies. Fostered culture of positive, engaged learners.
Skills: IT Operations · Software Development · Technical Ecosystem Strategy · Cyber Security · Project Planning & Management · Business Acumen · Continuous Improvement
Director of IT

Limestone County Commission

Built IT department from conception and served as first IT director. Created budget, identified needs, and engaged with all department heads and elected officials supporting over 900 personnel spanning multiple sites. Shaped IT strategy and distilled complex issues into concrete action plans.
  • Skyrocketed project success from initial $500K budget and 1.5 miles of fiber to $16M budget and 32 miles of fiber in under 3 years; garnered national recognition.
  • Implemented all city communications on fiber network and one of America’s first video hearings; saved time, efforts, and $130K in costs by enabling virtual interactions.
Skills: Profit & Loss Management · IT Operations · Change Management · Budgeting · Product Management · Software Development · Executive Management · Agile Methodologies · IT Infrastructure · IT Service Delivery · Technical Ecosystem Strategy · Project Planning & Management · Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Senior Manager
Technical Support

PSIGEN Software, Inc.
Madison, AL

Leveraged success in a consulting arrangement with the company to markedly improve the quality and capabilities of its technical support function.
  • Provided online and desk support to the end users and responded to queries
  • Managed technical support staff, software verification and validation team utilizing sprint meetings for alpha testing
  • Administrated the internal Windows Servers, Active Directory, Domain Users/Groups, and Exchange server saving the company $55K per year in 3rd party support costs
  • Acceptance testing of software performance against established baselines of the acceptance criteria reducing the costs and time for clients to implement into their production environment
Skills: Change Management · Executive Management
Senior Executive

Axiom Systems · Full-time
Athens, Al

Assisted in migrating the organization from a consultancy to a full-service VAR addressing the technological business needs of medical clinics, physicians, state and local governments.
  • Managed multimillion dollar technology project at the Huntsville/Madison County Airport saving the average end-user 4 hours per week in business process improvement
  • Sold and supported an integrated practice management software system utilized by 41 physicians' offices in 12 states saving the offices and average of $71K per year in billing and insurance filling
  • Self-administrated, while mentoring others, the internal Information Systems Active Directory and Exchange
  • Generated over $600K in revenue annually from a portfolio of ongoing technology systems' projects for public and private entities
  • Served as trusted adviser to clients' senior management demonstrating value and guiding future IT growth
Skills: Software Development

Contact Me

(256)434-6424

dzf0015@tigermail.auburn.edu

dzf0015@auburn.edu