|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doug Averill
Multnomah Athletic Club
Director of Communications and Information Systems
Board Chair
Challenges. I experienced my most difficult challenges and accomplishments as a manager. I believe these had benefit for the people involved and the companies that I worked for. But, I would say that software development and some of the smaller project implementations where I was able to be hands-on with the work were most rewarding for me. Here at the MAC I have been able to directly implement the replacement of several aging systems.
First Job. I started in IT as a computer programmer on an IBM mainframe system. As a student at OSU we used punched cards as a primary input device for software. That was 1972. Screens and keyboards came very soon after that. I sit here writing this today and we still use a keyboard and monitor. So in that respect not much has changed. Systems designs too are still rather classic, even while we use relational or object-oriented models. After a long assimilation of the PC, we are swinging back to more centralized systems so in that respect too, not much has changed. I'm challenged by understanding how to work with and find business value in mobile wireless solutions. I think ultimately that we will see personal computing become personal and that corporate computing, like universities today, will tolerate employees using their own tools at the desk. And that the data one collects and uses will be a combination of modest portable data and a library of links.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? I enjoy software development the most. Still do. There is a certain satisfaction in writing code that computes or displays results. I would say that in the right environment and company that software design and development can be a very creative experience. I would recommend new entrants concentrate on those areas and firms that are developing new software products. I think this part of IT is still fun. I have watched business software move from custom development at the power utility to much more of a commodity product. As such, the work done in IT by consuming businesses (banks, utilities, insurance, retail) is now more about project implementations and human adaptation to change. This can be personally rewarding for some but is often high stress and thankless. At this point in time I would caution IT professionals to think long and hard before making the leap from a technologist to management. But, then again, some enjoy the challenge of human interaction more than the creative coding process.
Other Interests. Probably from the computer work, I like to collect languages. My wife and I like to travel which has been a good excuse to tune up the French and pick up Italian. Perhaps a Caribbean vacation someday will cause me to pick up Spanish. I also enjoy and play music, mostly piano and dabble at sketching and drawing with pen and ink being my favorite medium.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Cliff Barry
Columbia Forest Products
Executive Vice President and CFO
Recent Challenges
With Columbia Forest Products I have spent my entire tenure working toward replacing the
technology infastructure for the entire company.
First Job My first job was with Andersen Consulting working in a number of industries ranging from developing strategies to the design and implementations of a variety applications (accounting, manufaturing etc.)
Why would you reccomend IT as a career? I would definitely recommend this field for someone who wants to be on the forefront of making things happen. It's challenging and will test all your skill and emotions. It is not for someone who like routine, stable and predictable work.
Other Interests. I'm going to buy a Harley for my 50th birthday!
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Rick Beadnell
Nike, Inc.
Sr. I.T. Director, Supply Chain
Challenges. Lately I have been the I.T. person in charge of rolling out new Supply Chain and Finance systems to all the countries that Nike operates in. This is a $400M project overall. The project has had a major positive impact on Nike's bottom line.
First Job. My first position was as a Systems Analyst working on processes and systems for Government provided emergency services (fire and medical). My interests have always been in providing I.T. applications to enable the business to meet its goals. Over the years this has included experiences in Finance, Order Management, Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and Warehouse Management. It has included domestic and international assignments.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? This is the Information Age. I was attracted to the immense potential that I.T. would have on the world. The ability to apply the science part of Computer Science toward business problems. It is true that the commodity parts of Information Technology tend to be outsourced these days. But the core value of I.T. for an organization lies in its understanding of business processes, and its understanding of how these interact in an organization. This part will never be outsourced.
Other Interests. While at OSU I was very involved in music and bands. Now I enjoy traveling and seeing new parts of the world.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Ben Berry
ODOT -- Oregon Dept. of
Transportation
CIO - Chief Information Officer
Challenges. Getting the first assignment at the CXO level is often difficult. Employers ask: if you’ve never done it, how do we know you can do it? But once you land this level position and prove that you can manage at that level, it’s often a lot easier to get your next assignment because now, you have a track record.
First Job. Telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell as I worked my way through college. From there, I became a Tektronix intern and a systems analyst at Legacy Healthcare.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? As a career choice, Information Technology is in almost every industry and business. With this kind of coverage, I have managed to serve seven different industries and worked around the world 3 times while leveraging a constant theme of computer applications development and/or IT infrastructure management.
Other Interests. Ben Berry is also an inventor and visionary. Outside of his government roots, he is building a vehicle to compete in the Automotive X-Prize. The contest, modeled after the Space Plane X-Prize which was awarded to the team that, at its very basics, could build a vehicle that could take off, go outside Earth's atmosphere, and land safely. The Automotive X-Prize similarly challenges teams to build a car that can average over 100 Miles Per Gallon fuel efficiency or its equivalent in alternative fuels and be able to travel over 100 Miles Per Hour. Besides the excitement of the X-Prize, the more intriguing aspect to this effort is the model used to create the vehicle. Ben is using the Open Technology Innovation Model, (OTI), a model he is developing, takes concepts from the open source development community and applies them to manufacturing. Dispersed teams that share a common vision collaborate to create a solution that is better than the sum of its parts. The development of this ground transit vehicle is the first implementation of this model and may be used for future product development. Ben has formed AirShip Technologies Group, the consortium that uses far-flung teams to build the vehicle, also called AirShip.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Karen Fast
Claremont Associates, LLC
Founder and Principal
Background. With over 30 years in the Information Systems industry, I have a wide range of experiences in building and leading organizations in product and services sales, application development and product support. Most recently I've focused my energies with small, early-stage technology companies as they define and deploy their strategic sales and marketing programs.
Challenges. My work today is quite varied, drawing upon my broad and diverse career experiences. I've recently worked with clients on offshore outsourcing strategies, sales and marketing programs, career development and succession planning, and business plan development.
First Job. My career started with IBM as a sales trainee, focused primarily on large systems sales to utilities and manufacturing companies in Oregon. I moved through levels of seniority in the sales organization of IBM, eventually moving into marketing management. Following IBM, I accepted a position with a small, fast growing IT services company, as an operational executive overseeing all aspects of the business, including sales, project development and management, and post sales support.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? I highly recommend careers in the IT field. It provides a professional with an ever-changing environment, an opportunity to be creative, and the ability to truly make a material difference through the application of technology. With the speed of technological innovation accelerating, the IT industry will continue to provide challenging and inspiring careers for those who are able to easily adapt and push their creative talents.
Other Interests. My family and I live in Bend, where we enjoy skiing, golf and hiking. When not outside enjoying the beauty of Central Oregon, I spend time traveling to Italy in conjunction with my import business, and cooking for family and friends.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Holly Gibbs
Hewlett Packard
Application
Management Program Manager
Background. I have 19 years in the Information Technology industry: 10 years as a computer technician, three years as a MIS Supervisor, and six years as a software development manager. I have a B.S. in Business/MIS (2002), a M.S. in Information Technology/Project Management (2007), and a PMP (2004). Also, Vice President of Riverside Window & Door, Inc. where I provide IT support and do PR.
Challenges. Determining how to stay marketable in the ever changing IT environment.
First Job. Data Systems Technician in the U.S. Navy, 1988 – 1992.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? It allows me to use the full spectrum of my project management skills, an area that I excel in and enjoy. It is also a dynamic environment and you never know what you will be working on or with next.
Other Interests. Travel, Scuba Diving, Motorcycle riding, volunteering for non-profits.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Robert Glenn
Symantec
Principal Business Analyst
Challenges. I spent two years as the project director responsible for implementing JD Edwards and various other technologies for an 85 year old coffee manufacturer. This project took a company from being way behind their competitors to best-in-class and thus positioned them successfully for future growth opportunities.
First Job. My first job was as an Industrial Engineering for Precision CastParts where they needed somebody to hook up a PC and connect it to the mainframe. I performed this task and it showed me that I could make a big impact on a company by pursuing this career.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? This field has a mix of project & maintenance work, business analysis and technology implementation. You really need to understand what motivates you in order to understand the type of work that you want to perform in this area.
Other Interests. My wife Mary Elizabeth and I have two yellow labs and we try to get out doors anytime we can. We love to snowshoe, golf, garden, and photograph the wonderful scenery that the Western states offer.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Uwe G. Gluhr
Stockamp & Associates
Manager, Product Services
Recent Responsibilities.
At Stockamp, I manage a solution support (functional and technical)
team that works with many of the largest hospitals around the United
States.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? Because IT keeps changing. Along with change comes opportunity. IT as a career can give an individual visibility to all parts of an organization and allows people to be creative and innovative problem solvers.
Other Interests. I love following Beaver Athletics and enjoy most outdoor activities my favorite being fly fishing. I enjoy traveling and seeing new places, I try to make a goal of leaving the country at least once a year. My nerdy hobbies include playing chess and following the stock market.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Matthew McLuckie
WebMD Health
Development
Manager
Challenges.
First Job. My first job was as a software developer for Timberline Software.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? I have always enjoyed figuring out how computers can solve real life problems. I would recommend getting as much exposure to the field as you can manage (internships, job shadowing, and so on). Basically you want to find out what you like and don't like so you can make sure your career is always headed in direction of your choosing.
Other Interests. I enjoy ballroom dancing with my wife when we get the chance. I also enjoy spending time with my son who was born on September 4, 2004.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Curt Pederson
Oregon State University
Bio Info here.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Thi Phan
Tektronix, Inc.
IT Manager -- Internet
and Marketing Systems
Challenges. We are continually extending the corporate website -- www.tektronix.com -- as the preferred information source for our customers. In 2005, the Tektronix website was recognized as one of the top websites by readers of Test & Measurement World for the second consecutive year.
First Job. My first job was as a software developer for Timberline Software.
Why would you recommend IT as a career? Technologies are constantly evolving. The challenge and satisfaction are in the effective and efficient application to meet business demands.
Other Interests. Reading Jack Welch, Straight From the Gut and Winning -- I was interested in perspective changes and resonating themes now that he is retired. I enjoy family time turning a yard into a garden.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Kim Sather
Hewlett Packard
IPG IT Integrated Sourcing and Visibility Platform Manager
Background. I am currently an IT manager at HP. I started out as a SAP consultant with Andersen Consulting. I came to HP in 1995 as a business systems analyst. While at HP, I have been an analyst, project manager, program manager and now a department manager.
Recent Responsibilities. My team is responsible for the IT systems between HP and our strategic suppliers of material to produce our imaging and printing products such as scanners, printers, cameras and all-in-ones.
First Job. My first job out of OSU was as a consultant with Andersen Consulting. They trained me to be an expert in the SAP R/3 systems in the areas of purchasing, receiving, accounts payable, order management, shipping and accounts receivables.
What drew you to IT as a career? I was attracted to the MIS option at OSU because I wanted something that was technical in nature to round out my communications background. I had always enjoyed working with computer applications and knew the field was growing rapidly.
Other Interests. In my free time I spend time with family and play indoor soccer at the Corvallis Sports Park.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Damian Smith
Hitachi Consulting
Managing Vice
President
Background.
Recent Responsibilities. The problems that I am seeing lately are related to companies having had to make do with reduced or flat IT budgets over the last few years, while also meeting new regulatory requirements from Sarbanes Oxley. Systems have been band-aided but not significantly updated. Teams have been retained, but little or no investment has been made in training or developing them. There is pent up demand from the business for new systems and enhancements and frustration with a perceived lack of progress from IT. Relationships between business users and IT departments are stressed and IT resources are stretched thin. As budgets start to ease up, effective planning, prioritization, methodology and program management will be critical. Also, as the job market for IT professionals heats up, finding the right resources and raw talent will once again, become a critical success factor for most IT departments.
First Job. While at Arthur Andersen I quickly became the guy everybody went to to get Lotus 123 for DOS macros written, so you could call that my first IS job. :) And, although I was in product management and marketing roles within the software industry, I did quite a lot of application development in database, BI and workflow tools, as well as a fair amount of web development early on. But my first real involvement in significant IT projects came when I moved into consulting and was selling and overseeing the implementation of web and eCommerce solutions. Since then I have directly project managed or overseen literally hundreds of different IT projects, varying from simple 'throwaway' application development projects, through major custom development and implementation projects, to strategic IT planning and methodology development and implementation projects.
What drew you to IT as a career? I enjoy challenges. At the beginning of my career, I was attracted by the challenge of creating or coding applications. Now, I enjoy the challenge of helping clients solve major issues within their IT departments or with their IT systems. The advice I would give others is to only get into a career in IT if you enjoy it. Trying to force yourself to become a good IT professional when you don't fundamentally enjoy it, will always fail.
Other Interests. I read a lot, but most of what I read is paperback fiction to pass the time away on planes. I tend to find an author I like, go to Amazon and buy their entire catalog and then read them all back to back. Right now I am making my way through the catalogs of Harlan Coben and Lee Child. Good escapist nonsense. Other interesting facts, I am married to the wonderful, smart and beautiful Megan and although we don't have any children yet, we have two big dogs to break us into the idea and get us into Forest Park for long walks. We also both love movies and eating out and, partly as a result of that, have to spend many hours a week in the gym.
Back to the Advisory Council page.
Doug Vorwaller
Society for Information Management
IT Management
Recent Responsibilities.
Kinds of work: Led team of 20+ people to provide a wide range
of computer service, support and project delivery to 67 diverse
sites for a Fortune 500 company.
IT achievement: Created a streamlined supply chain
procurement process through use of select vendors who would provide
standardized hardware and software to meet company requirements for
delivery and billing for all locations in the U.S. and Mexico.
First Job. My first Information Systems job was a US Air Force Computer Systems Training Manager.
What drew you to IT as a career? Rapidly developing technology means IT work is always a challenge and provides the chance to keep learning. The IT department is a critical function in today's business world. I can recommend IT for anyone who wants the chance to really make a difference for a business and a passion for being valued for the work you do.
Other Interests. Outdoor activities, blacksmithing and reading
Back to the Advisory Council page.
