Michael Porter

Experience

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  United States Marine Corps

  Jan 1976 - Jan 1984

  Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician

  After boot camp and Aviation Fundamentals training, I was one of ten Marines selected for an experimental program to be an Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician. In this program, I received two years of extensive electronics training, prior to reporting to my first duty station. My team provided direct support for advanced airfield operations. The equipment we supported included weather radar, satellite tracking, communication systems, radiosonde equipment, and automated (i.e., computerized) weather stations. While stationed in Hawaii, I helped to design and secure funding approval for establishing a permanent staging site for our compliment of Mobile Meteorological Facilities. I also successfully completed two Bachelor degree programs and pursued two Master degree programs until the end of my enlistment in 1984. Show less

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  Illinois Power Company

  Jan 1984 - Jan 2000

  Program Manager - Information Management

  My first accomplishment was to complete the system design, installation, testing, and deployment of seven plant process computer systems that had been moth-balled for over two years due to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stop work orders. My staff and I successfully completed this mission and the plant went online 2½ years later. As part of Computer Engineering, I assumed responsibility for a troubled software development project to create a new Personnel Radiation Exposure Management (PREM) system. My team delivered the system in half the allocated time and successfully deployed the system just prior to a major plant refueling outage. This first of a kind system was written up in the trade journals (Nuclear News, etc.) and was subsequently commercialized. During my tenure in Computer Engineering, I developed expertise in Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and was an early leader of a national consortium consisting of all (106) commercial nuclear power plants. Through extensive collaboration, the Nuclear Utilities Software Management Group (NUSMG) successfully established SQA standards that were later adopted as the official industry standard by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). As Program Manager-Information Management, I reported directly to the VP Nuclear on all matters involving Information Technology & Telecommunications. I led several IT enabled initiatives including establishing a site-wide information (data and voice) network, consolidating IT assets, enhancing system reliability (through automated fail-over), and merging all of the IT support staff under one enterprise services organization. By locating unused telecommunication conduits we were able to extend the fiber backbone into the power block (a feat thought to be impossible). We then standardized our desktop hardware and software and incorporated our site service organization into the corporate enterprise service organization. Show less

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  Illinois Commerce Commission

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2005

  Chief Information Officer

  I worked with the Executive Director to establish this new role and to reinvent the agency’s technology-enabled capabilities. The IT Division, working with senior managers, was able to accomplish significant process improvements, including implementation of an Electronic Docketing system; renovation of a Transportation Management System; design of a multi-agency Electronic One-Stop-Shop commercial trucking application; and conversion of several legacy systems into web-enabled applications. Leveraging our (internally developed) 2001 Information Management Strategic Plan, we secured the requisite funding, resources, and project approvals necessary to implement the plan, via a special program sponsored by the Governor’s Office. These executive sponsored projects included knowledge, document, and content management, integrated case management, and automated workflow. During my tenure at the Commission, my team also introduced project management and business process analysis; established a Project Management Office (PMO); and integrated best practices into our software development life cycle (SDLC) and internal auditing processes. Show less

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  State of Illinois - Central Management Services

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2014

  In this position, my primary initiative was to establish a roadmap for modernization of the Enterprise Application Portfolio and transformation of the Enterprise Applications & Architecture division within the Bureau of Communication and Computer Services. The Application Modernization Initiative included dramatically rethinking our existing Enterprise Systems portfolio, which was predominately mainframe based, including new initiatives in Service Management/Improvement, Enterprise Data Model/Repository, State Procurement Systems, Benefits and Personnel, Project/Resource Management. We also pursued our primary growth areas, including creating innovative eServices, Internet-enabled applications and websites that leveraged Microsoft products, in particular MS Office, MS SharePoint, MS Visual Studio/Team Foundation Services and .Net. We are also actively pursuing multiple interagency, collaborative eGovernment solutions, such as electronic timekeeping, electronic document management, intelligent forms and automated workflow. We continued to expand our Customer Service Portal, our Enterprise Program Management (EPM) Portal and our Illinois Technology Consortium to promote and enable interagency collaboration (practitioner sites) and encourage the formation of various Communities of Practice. To further enable and sustain our ongoing innovation, we also explored more efficient Product and Service business models, creative Resource and Technology Sourcing strategies and progressive Strategic and Operating initiatives.This transformation incorporated comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure programmatic compliance, appropriate methodological rigor (based upon risk assessment) to improve quality and consistency in software development, and standards to encourage implementation of industry best practices. Show less I restructured and subsequently directed, the Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO) within the Bureau of Communication and Computer Services, including recruiting and training most of the State's current PMPs. Under my direction, the EPMO designed, developed, and deployed a comprehensive Enterprise Program Management (EPM) Portal application encompassing portfolio management, full life-cycle project management; and application development methodologies. We also developed and implemented policies, processes, standards, and best practices in areas such as Strategic Planning, Business Process Analysis, Technology Governance, Portfolio Management, Project Management, Work Management and Resource Management. As President of the Information Technology Board of Advisors (ITBA), a state-wide consortium of agencies, boards and commissions, I established multiple interagency forums to foster improved communications and collaboration between Agency CIOs and the BCCS Leadership Team. My staff facilitated organizational change management activities in direct support of the mandated Executive Branch rationalization and consolidation of State Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure and Application services. Show less

  • Enterprise Applications and Architecture Executive

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2014

  • Enterprise Program Management Executive

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2009
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  State of Illinois - Department of Innovation and Technology

  Nov 2014 - Oct 2016

  PM Technical and Quality Management

  I was responsible for the Technical Infrastructure, Application Development, and Quality Assurance/Testing aspects of the State of Illinois' Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) initiative. My role encompassed providing technical support during the initial project phase (transition) of pilot agencies into new enterprise-wide solutions for Financials, Procurement, and (future) Human Resources as well as providing operational support following their adoption and transition. Due to the security requirements necessary to protect the State's data, we will be implementing this solution within a FedRAMP certified facility. Show less

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  Independent Consultant/Contractor

  Nov 2016 - now

  Senior Technical Consultant

  My career choices have always been driven by a strong and compelling desire to empower public and private organizations to successfully accomplish their mission-critical strategies, goals and objectives. My recurring role as an internal consultant/strategist has enabled me to leverage my analytical (i.e., process and system) abilities, while my program/project management practitioner and information technology expertise, has enabled me to create and deliver innovative business solutions. I desire a position that will effectively utilize my innate creativity, strategic thinking, and enterprise collaboration abilities to promote the effective use of information management, technology and best practices. I have substantial experience conceptualizing and creating innovative business and process solutions for both the private and public sectors. In addition, throughout my career, I have developed significant technical and professional verbal/written communication skills. In summary, I am a driven, self-motivated individual who seeks an intellectually challenging work environment with the rewards to match. Show less

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  Illinois Lottery

  Nov 2017 - Dec 2023

  Project Coordinator

  The Illinois Lottery is undergoing a major Business Process and Information Technology transition in conjunction with a new Private Manager. My role is to coordinate and facilitate the internal transition activities impacting the Lottery Staff. This involves project management, business analysis, contract administration, regulatory compliance, records management and related technical and analytical tasks.

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  Creative Intellect, LLC

  Jan 2024 - now

  Senior Technical Writer and Independent Contractor

  The mission of Creative Intellect, LLC is to utilize practical, creative, analytical intelligence to solve real-life problems and to share acquired private and public sector knowledge, experience, and insights with people and organizations who are contributing to the greater good. We do this to encourage unconventional thinking and promote positive, proactive outcomes. How we contribute:• Conduct Research & Analysis • Perform Technical Writing/Editing• Generate Compelling Proposals & Grants• Assist in Process Analysis & Re-Engineering• Envision Innovative Solutions to Create Competitive Advantage Show less