James S.

Experience

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  US Army

  Nov 1989 - Apr 1999

  Legal Specialist

  10 year Army veteran serving as legal specialist and non commissioned officer (NCO - SSG) in various command support teams with emphasis on technology, systems administration, application development and training to the US Army JAG Corps.

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  SENTEL Corporation

  Apr 1999 - Sept 2005

  Director of Information Technology

  Supervised a diverse team of IT professionals and contractors in a larger organization, providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to drive collaborative efforts in managing IT operations, budgeting, contractor relationships, and cross-functional projects across various technical domains. Played a pivotal role as a senior member of the team in implementing and achieving Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 2 and Level 3 certifications, leading the Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and Training initiatives to enhance process maturity, quality standards, and organizational performance. Leveraged expertise in SQA methodologies to establish best practices, quality assurance processes, and training programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. Managed the development and execution of training programs for IT staff and contract personnel to enhance technical skills, promote professional development, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization. Maintained a top-secret security clearance, demonstrating a high level of trust, integrity, and confidentiality while handling sensitive information and ensuring compliance with security protocols and national security requirements. Show less

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  TESOL International Association

  Sept 2005 - Jul 2006

  Director of Information Technology

  Handled all technology products and services. Created online e-commerce interface to membership system for handling, dues renewal, event registration, product purchases, and member profile updates. Established Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with Fulfillment Company for publication orders. Managed and streamlined IT operations for a national association, overseeing budgeting, contractor management, and collaboration across multiple teams to build integrated solutions for event management, online e-commerce sales sites, and other digital platforms. Oversaw the entire IT infrastructure, including servers, applications, and network systems, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security to support the association's mission and member services. Led the development and implementation of innovative technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and drive revenue growth through online e-commerce platforms and digital marketing strategies. Collaborated with internal stakeholders and external vendors to identify and address technology needs, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor relationships to support the association's strategic goals. Conducted regular assessments of IT systems, applications, and cybersecurity protocols to identify vulnerabilities, implement risk management measures, and ensure compliance with industry standards and data privacy regulations. Show less

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  GBTA | Global Business Travel Association

  Jul 2006 - Nov 2009

  Director of Information Technology

  Developed and carried out various solutions for all departments and for the fully owned subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Set up and maintained new infrastructure, a new Association Management System, Microsoft SharePoint public website and internal intranet. Spearheaded cross-functional collaboration across multiple teams, including events, technology, data, infrastructure, networking, and security, to achieve organizational goals and drive innovation. Led and managed teams responsible for various technical functions, including events technology, data management, infrastructure maintenance, network operations, and cybersecurity, ensuring alignment with overall business strategies. Developed and oversaw a comprehensive IT budget, allocating resources strategically to support technology initiatives and meet organizational objectives within financial constraints. Reported directly to the board of directors on IT strategy, projects, performance metrics, and budgetary matters, providing regular updates and insights to inform strategic decision-making. Presented to senior leadership on technology advancements, risks, and opportunities, translating technical concepts into business strategies and recommendations to drive operational efficiency and digital transformation. Show less

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  American Society of Military Comptrollers

  Nov 2009 - Feb 2012

  Associate Director of Information Technology

  Handled all tasks related to technology, data, and systems, including installation, maintenance, and user support. Developed and applied new methods that improved membership and certification loyalty while making the best use of current systems. Held sole responsibility as the highest-ranking IT professional in a small office, overseeing all technical operations, cybersecurity measures, and IT infrastructure management. Managed an IT budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources for hardware, software, and cybersecurity tools to support business operations. Collaborated with external contractors to facilitate the implementation of IT projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and maintaining strong vendor relationships. Implemented and maintained cybersecurity protocols to protect company data and systems from cyber threats, conducting regular audits and risk assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards. Served as the primary point of contact for all technical inquiries and issues, providing timely resolutions and technical support to internal stakeholders. Stayed informed about emerging technologies and industry trends to make proactive recommendations for IT improvements and enhancements, driving business growth and innovation. Show less

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  Covington & Burling LLP

  Feb 2012 - Dec 2016

  Application Development Manager

  Managed a team (Tier 1 through Tier 3) of Software developers, SharePoint, and SCCM engineers who created, deployed, and maintained hundreds of solutions for the firm's lawyers and staff across the globe. The team's range of focus covered everything from desktop application delivery and installation to firm-wide cooperation solutions, legal and HR applications, and litigation assistance solutions. The team frequently received assignments by the management committee or C-level executives because of our special skills and our ability to deliver prompt solutions. Successfully upgraded SharePoint 2007 to 2013, enabling global collaboration and co-authoring capabilities for time-sensitive matters, facilitating real-time communication, improving document management, and enhancing efficiency in addressing urgent issues across international teams. Led the initiative to create a knowledge management (KM) system for the Management Committee (MC), using existing tools to develop a user-friendly search interface. Received praise from MC liaison for designing and executing plans for the CovKnowledge site. Installed new software platform for managing custom content on digital displays. Collaborated with Executive Director to download and deploy licensed digital art in LAN-friendly format. Successfully delivered proof-of-concept and deployed to CityCenter ahead of schedule, impressing Executive Director with the art quality. Providing guidance, coaching, and assignments to ensure project success and team cohesion while addressing performance issues and implementing corrective actions as needed. Member of the configuration management and change control review boards ensuring compliance with technology best practices and alignment with enterprise architecture standards, guidelines, and principles.Work with helpdesk technicians on complex issues that require escalation. Show less

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  NAMI

  Dec 2016 - Aug 2019

  Chief Information Officer

  Manage technical work and strategic planning to solve legacy, data, and process issues. Ensure compliance with governance and business architecture. Lead cross-functional teams in IT, data analytics, meetings and events, project management, office/administrative services, and employee engagement. Improve internal functions, business development strategies, and IT processes based on assessments. Create business architecture models aligned with organizational goals. Develop and manage project plans for system design, development, deployment, and operations/maintenance using SDLC. Budget and oversee technology, software, security, project management, meetings, call-center, facilities, and office administration. Evaluate systems engineering, talent recruiting, and accounting models. Advise management on IT issues. Monitor system changes and performance. Optimized call center by integrating Salesforce and IP telephony, improving call handling, data management, and personalized support for callers, leading to enhanced efficiency and customer satisfaction. Modernized desktop computers by transitioning to laptops, future-proofing telework capabilities and enhancing flexibility, mobility, and productivity for remote employees, ultimately improving the organization's readiness to adapt to changing work environments and demands. Enhanced the onboarding and departure processes to align more effectively with HR, Admin, and IT, streamlining workflow, improving communication, and ensuring a smoother transition for new hires and departing employees, resulting in increased efficiency and a more cohesive and coordinated organizational approach. Established and chaired a formal configuration management and change control review board ensuring compliance with technology best practices and alignment with standards, guidelines, and principles. Show less

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  Covington & Burling LLP

  Aug 2019 - Jun 2024

  I design and maintain the IT architecture, tech components, standards, and roadmap to support the Firm’s global tech strategy and follow market trends. I use TOGAF and ensure consistent methods. I set up governance and check compliance. I make business models based on organizational strategies and goals. I help design and deliver tech solutions with Application and Infrastructure teams, and other stakeholders, by understanding the Firm’s key processes and workflows. I advise management on IT issues. I manage system changes, monitor systems, and evaluate internal functions, business strategies, and IT processes. Chair the enterprise architecture review board with a focus on aligning enterprise-wide business and technology architectures to support the firm’s strategic plan, the COO and CIO directives, and other initiatives. Implemented an EA Checklist for projects transitioning through stage gates, resulting in improved alignment with organizational goals, increased visibility into project progress, and enhanced decision-making capabilities. Developed and implemented EA principles to guide decision-making and ensure consistency across the organization, leading to improved IT governance, enhanced interoperability between systems, and increased agility in responding to changing business needs. Stepped in as an EA to assist with stalled projects by analyzing technical barriers, providing strategic guidance, and facilitating collaboration among cross-functional teams, resulting in the successful resolution of issues, accelerated project timelines, and the delivery of high-quality solutions. Member of the configuration management and change control review boards ensuring compliance with technology best practices and alignment with enterprise architecture standards, guidelines, and principles.Work with helpdesk technicians on complex issues that do not have established escalation paths. Show less Lead and manage a team of software developers and system engineers (Tier 1 to Tier 3) who work on the firm's enterprise and collaborative applications. Provided direction, motivation, and support daily to technology professionals, software engineers, and system administrators creating a cooperative team environment to address urgent attorney and client needs. Improve the technology and the application suite across multiple teams. Manage the system changes from test to production environment and monitor the system stability, accuracy, and performance. Set up governance processes and enforce architecture compliance. Collaborate with C-Suite leaders, partners, committees, and practice area management to implement solutions that improve business operations and legal work according to the Firm's mission. Suggest improvements based on evaluating internal functions, business development strategies, and IT processes. Create business architecture models that reflect organizational goals. Manage project development and enhancement for systems, including business analysis, requirements documentation, system design and architecture, project plans and timelines, testing, and end-user expectations. Provide guidance and recommendations to management on IT issues. Lead and support a team of technology professionals, software engineers, and system administrators in resolving technical issues and creating a cooperative team environment. Work with helpdesk on complex issues that require escalation. Evaluate systems engineering, talent recruiting, and accounting models. Recommend long-term technology strategies and contribute to the annual operating and capital budgets. Develop project plans following a SDLC to address system design, development, deployment, and operations/maintenance. Show less

  • Enterprise Architect

    Mar 2023 - Jun 2024

  • Application Development Manager

    Aug 2019 - Mar 2023
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  Defense Security Cooperation University

  Sept 2024 - now

  Technology Branch Chief

  Leading technology functions for the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), including satellite campuses. Supervise, direct, or coordinate with technology personnel responsible for network operations, online learning support, software development, information technology, audiovisual systems, etc. The primary point of contact for DSCU leadership on all DSCU technology functions. The mission of the DSCU is to advance the knowledge and practice of Security Cooperation through the education, training, and development of the U.S. Security Cooperation workforce and through the education, training, and institutional capacity building of partner nations; and to produce research, analysis, and lessons learned that expand the intellectual foundations of Security Cooperation. DSCU strives to be the center of intellectual life for the Security Cooperation enterprise; we prepare a global network of professionals to achieve outcomes that enhance the security of the United States and its partners and allies. Show less