ABOUT ME

As a trailblazing IT executive, I bring more than 20 years of experience delivering strong competitive advantages through coaching, mentoring, technology innovation and organizational transformation -- charting new paths forward across the globe and diverse industries. Whether driving groundbreaking innovations or large-scale change, I leverage a unique breadth of experience across many facets of technology to deliver tangible results.

Top Three Skills
Organizational Transformation
Technology Innovation
Coaching Mentoring

MY Experience

President & COO
BluStor PMC, Inc.

2015 - NOW

President and Chief Operating Officer for BluStor PMC, Inc. Revolutionizing the world of digital identity and data privacy, BluStor is a leading manufacturer of advanced personalized cyber security hardware, firmware, and application software for the growing mobile world. A hands-on senior executive responsible for overseeing all company operations, staff and execution of the organization's short and long-term objectives.

 

  • Lead effort to completely re-engineer key product after primary microprocessor vendor failed to meet delivery and quality expectations, successfully delivering a completely new design in less than 90 days.
  • Identified and negotiated agreement with key strategic partner, resulting in a reduction of component costs by more than 40%
  • Key participant and stakeholder in multiple series funding efforts raising more than $4M
  • Managing Dir. & GM
    CME Tech Services

    2014 - 2015

    Executive leader with management authority for CME Group’s European and Asian global technology strategy, service delivery, software development, infrastructure, IT operations, and sourcing strategy across 3 offices worldwide. Managed $18 million annual budget and 180+ staff in the UK and Asia (including 7-member senior management team). Directed development of internal front-end electronic trading systems, mobile applications, corporate websites, and front-end clearing systems.

     

  • Championed buy-in for global capabilities with senior management and other key business leaders to support key corporate initiatives to lower costs while increasing delivery capacity. Equipped middle-management advocates in the U.S. to help overcome internal resistance to globalizing trend.
  • Saved more than $20 million per year by accelerating growth of captive center from 130 to more than 180 staff, eliminating costly consultant positions, and transitioning open headcount to Belfast from Chicago and New York offices.
  • Executed follow-the-sun global infrastructure support model in collaboration with U.S. offices that resulted in optimum customer service and satisfaction.
  • Supported launch of new European Exchange; negotiated with key stakeholders to reprioritize projects and reallocate resources to new international initiatives.
  • Delivered competitive advantage in rapidly growing European market, enabling delivery of more than 30 major software releases in 2014 (a 42% increase over 2013).
  • Fueled hiring of 52 additional, top-tier staff in less than 6 months. Grew employee candidate referrals from 12% to 23% of all hires, saving $60k in recruiting fees.
  • Expanded recruiting capacity by more than 300% (screening and review of 400+ potential candidates per month) by negotiating priority consideration for CME Group’s staffing needs among key recruiting agencies.
  • Launched expanded brand awareness campaign that enabled CME Group to attract and hire top talent for more than 50% of open technology positions.
  • Executive Dir. & GM
    CME Tech Services

    2012 - 2014

    Planned, built, and led high-performance, international technology captive center ultimately comprising 3 locations across Europe and Asia, 20+ functional areas, and more than a dozen skillsets. Managed 6 direct reports and 130 indirect-reporting staff. Oversaw local HR, marketing, and accounting functions for this separate business entity. Cultivated local business relationships including senior government officials and industry peers to further CME Group’s business agenda. Concurrently directed software development for front-end electronic trading systems, mobile applications, and corporate websites.

     

    Led due diligence team to select location (Belfast), coordinated planning and build-out of Belfast office as country head, and developed 3-year staffing plan.
  • Orchestrated migration of 12+ software development and infrastructure functions to captive center with zero disruption to business operations throughout transition.
  • Negotiated with local government to secure ~$3.8 million in employment incentives.
  • Saved $6.7 million annually and boosted productivity more than 35% by leading replacement of 72 U.S.-based consultants with full-time employees in Belfast.
  • Grew center from 2 to 100+ trained and productive staff in first 12 months. Captured ~$2.5 million in staffing costs in the first year and $10+ million in the second year.
  • Received high accolades from business sponsors and highest customer satisfaction survey results in the company for 2 years (average Net Promoter Score of 9).
  • Focused organization on reducing defects, improving operational support, addressing root-cause issues, and raising awareness of business sponsors.
  • Slashed number of significant production incidences by 80% and emergency changes by more than 50% each month.
  • Halved ramp-up time for new staff in Belfast (from 6 months to 3) and provided objective metrics to evaluate new hires during 90-day probation period.
  • Achieved staff turnover rate of less than 4% (against local average of ~8%) and 83% employee engagement (13% higher than company average).
  • Program was adopted by corporate professional development team and incorporated into company-wide on-boarding program for new hires.
  • Accelerated insourcing of system support 12 months ahead of schedule by building internal support team in Belfast to take ownership from third-party vendor.
  • Restored declining product quality while eliminating $1.5 million in annual support and consulting fees.
  • Exec Dir. Software Eng
    CME Group

    2008 - 2012

    Provided executive leadership of CME Group’s frontend software development department. Held scope of authority that included 18+ customer-facing applications, front-end trading systems, employee intranet, mobile applications, and corporate website. Managed 5 direct and 32 indirect reports spanning diverse IT functions. Led restructure and turnaround of several underperforming teams.

     

    Exercised tremendous diplomacy and change leadership to transform the IT organization’s structure and culture amid widespread resistance.
  • Restructured multiple departments to integrate previously siloed functions into single unified, cross-functional team with shared accountability for driving business value.
  • Transformed relationships with business sponsors and boosted customer satisfaction with IT department from 3.8 to 4.5 (on 5.0 scale) based on annual internal survey.
  • Resulted in nimble organization able to respond rapidly to new market opportunities.
  • Transformed delivery quality/timeliness, dramatically boosted team morale, and restored customer confidence within 3 months.
  • Delivered 2 critical releases for core systems within 90-day period.
  • Stabilized existing production environments and reduced escalated issues by 60+%.
  • Built team in India and Argentina to meet staffing deficit in front-end development department, growing program from 9 full-time consultants to 270+ in 3 years.
  • Saved $2 million annually in reduced consulting fees, increased team capacity, and cut software defect rate by average of 30% across all teams.
  • Launched new innovation program that spurred pioneering technology solutions including: 1) Hadoop big data solution that captured ~$1.5 million from new line of revenue, and 2) mobile application downloaded by 60k+ customers in 3 months.
  • Sourced new vendor for multimillion-dollar, cloud-based hosting solution that achieved 99.99% uptime, 300% improvement in website performance for high-traffic site, and $1.5 million cost savings over 3-year contract period.
  • Championed launch of innovative electronic options trading platform that fueled growth in electronic options from 5% to more than 20% of total options volume and annual revenue from electronic options from $2 million to $12+ million in 2 years.
  • Additional Career Success

    1986 - 2008

    Associate Director, Program Management - CME Group (2001-2008): Led corporate IT division’s governance, reporting, and financial control processes including annual budgeting, forecasting, project portfolio, and SOX compliance controls for internally developed software (SOP98-1). Supervised 5-member, cross-functional technology team.

    Owner/Founder - Kenosha Information Technology, Kenosha, WI(2001-2008): Founded technology startup that developed and delivered groundbreaking anti-spam and commercial email solutions for customers worldwide. Grew company from startup to loyal customer base of 3,000+ users.

    Project Manager - Sapient Corporation, Chicago, IL (2000-2001): Managed planning, scheduling, scope, and customer expectations for e-commerce project portfolio that generated more than $18 million in revenue.

    SAIC, Newport News, VA & Honolulu, HI - Director of Technology, Atlantic Program Division and System Administrator, Pacific Command US Air Force (1998-2000): Spearheaded launch of industry-first technology innovations that resulted in major competitive advantages. Led training of 300+ staff within 30 days to support rapid deployment of major software upgrade to key military intelligence system across Pacific Rim.

    United States Air Force, Multiple Locations Globally - Enlisted & Non-Commissioned Officer (1986-1996)

    MY Education

    1986 - 1989

    UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

    Advanced Electronics & Computer Systems Engineering

    1991 - 1995

    HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    Computer Science Coursework

    MY AWARDS

    • 2015 Onalytica CyberSecurity Top-100 Influencers
    • 2013 Top 50 Business Professionals Northern Ireland
    • 2005 Best IT Project Portfolio Management Structure / IQPC
    • Defense Meritorious Service Medal
    • Air Force Commendation Medal

    Publications

    LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH

    Address: 8307 42nd Ave, Kenosha WI 53142

    Phone: +1 (262) 359-1612

    Email: mark@newfrontiercio.com

    LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH

    Address: 8307 42nd Ave, Kenosha WI 53142

    Phone: +1 (262) 359-1612