Among other topics, Bruce discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Bruce is the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer of OfficeMax, Inc. With revenue of approximately $8 billion, OfficeMax is a global supplier of office supplies and services with operations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As CFO and CAO, Bruce oversees the company’s global financial and administrative activities including controllership, tax treasury, analysis, investor relations, strategy, corporate development, procurement, compensation, internal audit, loss prevention, and financial operations.
Before joining OfficeMax, Bruce served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Circuit City Stores, Inc from 2007 to 2009. Prior to his time with Circuit City, Bruce was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Yankee Candle Company, Inc. as well as Vice President, Finance and Controller for Best Buy, Inc. He also spent time in a variety of roles with Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Atlantic Richfield Co.
Bruce has served on the Finance Executive’s Council of the National Retail Federation and has been featured in business periodicals including Forbes magazine and Harvard Business Review. He is a current member of the Chicago area “CFO Select”, an organization of principal financial officers from leading Chicago-area large public companies. He also serves on the Governing Body of the CFO Executive Summit. He has served on the boards of directors for Mass Mentoring; United Way of Western Massachusetts; and Minnesota Mentoring.
In addition to his financial experience, Bruce has served in the United States Air Force for more than 25 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 2003, Bruce received the Air Medal for numerous aerial combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Bruce received his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Strategy from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati.
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Among other topics, Mark discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Mark is the chief information officer of BMC Software. In addition to running BMC Software’s IT department, Mark is a rare CIO who makes customer calls, as he helps many of the BMC Software’s customers (who in many cases are CIOs) understand how best to leverage BMC’s offering.
Prior to his time with BMC Software, Mark served as the CIO of four Fortune 300 companies: Corporate Express, Arrow Electronics, Visa International and Occidental Petroleum, making him one of the most seasoned CIOs in the United States. Mark has worked in a variety of industries including consumer products, high tech distribution, financial services and oil & gas. During the early stages of his career, he held P&L responsibilities as the Director of a systems integration business unit within Hughes Aircraft Company.
Mark’s formal education is in the Geological Sciences. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from MIT and a PhD from Brown University. He is also former Air Force officer and NASA Program Scientist.
Among other topics, Mike discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Mike is Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Combining a unique blend of client-facing operational experience and strong technical knowledge, Mike guides both product development and information technology. ADP’s R&D organization delivers products that support more than 500,000 clients while its IT professionals are responsible for enterprise security, infrastructure, messaging, and business applications.
Under Mike’s leadership as CIO, ADP has been recognized as one of the top 25 Most Influential Technology Vendors for 2009 by The Aberdeen Group.
Mike is a twenty-year veteran of ADP and has held positions in product development, information technology, and operations. Most recently, he has been Senior Vice President and General Manager of GlobalView, an award-winning multilingual, multicurrency human resources outsourcing solution. In this role, Mike led ADP’s efforts to develop a global HR BPO business for large multi-national corporations in partnership with SAP.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Dickinson College and an MBA in Finance from Pace University.
Among others, Peter discusses the following topics
Purchase this book from
Chosen as third among “The Best IT Business Books of 2009” by CIO Insight
“What’s unique about this book is that it’s not only a must-read for the CIO (and everyone else in an IT department); it’s for anyone associated with the technology industry. If you are a manufacturer, seller, or service provider of technology, you will gain insight into what makes an IT department world class.” – CIO Digest
“The new book World Class IT (Jossey-Bass, 2009), by consultant Peter A. High, provides solid, timeless advice for CIOs trying to manage IT for business success.” – Mitch Betts, Computerworld Book Review
Technology is all around us. It is so pervasive in our daily lives that we may not even recognize when we interact with it. Despite this fact, many companies have yet to leverage information technology as a strategic weapon.
What then is an information technology executive to do in order to raise the prominence of his or her department? In World Class IT, recognized expert in IT strategy Peter High reveals the essential principles IT executives must follow and the order in which they should follow them whether they are at the helm of a high-performing department or one in need of great improvement.
Principle 1: Recruit, train, and retain World Class IT people Principle 2: Build and maintain a robust IT infrastructure Principle 3: Manage projects and portfolios effectively Principle 4: Ensure partnerships within the IT department and with the business Principle 5: Develop a collaborative relationship with external partners
The principles and associated subprinciples and metrics introduced in World Class IT have been used by IT and business executives alike at many Global 1000 companies to monitor and improve IT’s performance. Those principles pertain as much to the leaders of IT as they do to those striving to emulate them.”
Among other topics, Jeff discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Jeff is the Chief Information Officer for Kroll, the risk consulting and technology division of Marsh & McLennan (MMC). Kroll provides a broad range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security and technology services to help clients reduce risks, solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. Headquartered in New York, Kroll serves a global clientele of law firms, financial institutions, corporations, non-profit institutions, government agencies, and individuals. In his role as CIO, Jeff oversees the firm’s global information technology systems and services, and drives strategies to realize operational efficiencies. Additionally, Jeff collaborates with business leaders to develop and execute long-range global IT plans.
Jeff joined Kroll in March 2007 from Ecolab Inc., where he served as Vice President of IT Business Operations and Vice President of Global Operations. Prior to Ecolab, Jeff was vice president of IT at Catalina Marketing, Director of IT at Dell Computer, Vice President & CIO at Essilor of America, and Senior IT Manager at Bausch & Lomb.
Jeff received a Bachelors degree in computer science from Rochester Institute of Technology, and holds an MBA from the University of South Florida. He also attended West Point Military Academy.
Among other topics, Becky discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Becky is the Director of the IT Vendor and Asset Management Offices at Express Scripts, Inc., a Fortune 100 pharmacy benefit management company headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. Becky is accountable for the vendor relationships and performance management of all IT related suppliers as well as collaborating with the corporate procurement function to ensure Express Scripts’ risk profile, as related to its IT suppliers, is managed and controlled.
Prior to joining Express Scripts, Becky spent 10 years with Wachovia Securities (formerly A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.) and served as the Associate Vice President and Senior Manager of the IT Vendor Management Office.
Becky holds a Masters in Business Administration from Webster University.
Among other topics, Bob discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Robert A. Willett is the chief executive officer of Best Buy International, the strategic business unit of Best Buy Co., Inc., focused on creating opportunities for growth and innovation outside of the United States. He was appointed to this role in February 2006.
Under Willett’s leadership, Best Buy International has implement a global integration and growth strategy to maximize the retailer’s opportunities beyond North America, while continuing to reengineer the supply chain, Mobile phone and information technology functions that support the company’s customer centric transformation. Executives responsible for enterprise-wide efficiency initiatives, information systems, supply chain management, global sourcing, corporate development and Best Buy Mobile report to Willett. He is also a Chairman of the Best Buy Europe/Carphone wharehouse joint venture.
Prior to his current role, Willett served as the executive vice president of operations and chief information officer for Best Buy, and today continues to lead the company’s efforts to improve efficiencies and simplify its customer-centric operating model.
Willett’s experience spans a number of positions in the retail industry over the past several decades. Willett previously was global managing partner for Accenture Consulting retail practice, where he worked with best-in-class retailers throughout the world on strategy reviews, business transformation, procurement and supply chain management, brand positioning, technology transformation and customer segmentation.
Prior to joining Best Buy formally in 2003, Willett served as a special advisor to the Best Buy board of directors on issues relating to operational efficiency and excellence. During his tenure with Accenture, he also served as a partner on the “Process to Profits” initiative that Best Buy undertook in the late 1990s.
Willett launched his retail career in store management at Marks & Spencer a leading British department store chain in 1968, and has held executive positions, including managing director and group chief executive, for other retailers in Europe.
CIO Magazine named Willett to the CIO Hall of Fame in 2008 to honor his significant contributions to the IT discipline, use of technology in business and advancement of the CIO role. He was also recently named to the board of directors for LightHaus Logic, Inc., an innovative provider of video analytics systems based in Canada.
Mr. Robert Fecteau (USA, Ret.) is Chief Information Officer for BAE Systems Information Solutions Business. In this capacity, Mr. Fecteau reports directly to the President of Information Solutions.
In this position, Mr. Fecteau focuses on the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise IT operations and solution in support of both internal and customer business processes for BAE Systems Inc. In this regard, Mr. Fecteau ensures that the Information Solutions’ infrastructure is consistent with Federal, DoD, and Intelligence Community architecture frameworks. Embedded in these framework definitions is a focus on data, security, collaboration, and communications. Mr. Fecteau is also concerned with tools and practices that enable performance measurement, portfolio management, and total cost of ownership (TCO) and then translating the resulting intellectual property into business discriminators.
Mr. Fecteau previously served as a Department of the Army civilian, as Chief Information Officer, United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) managing all enterprise information management and information technology programs. In 2001, he won the Department of Defense’s Chief Information Officer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Information Management.
Mr. Fecteau holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Corpus Christi State University and a master’s degree in Information Systems Management from Syracuse University.
Among other topics, Ananda discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Ananda Rakhit is the Chief Information Officer at NES Rentals, a leader in the $25 billion equipment rental industry, and #1 in aerial lifts. In that capacity, he focuses on improving operational productivity with wireless applications and building business intelligence tools to support both daily operations and management strategy.
Prior to his time with NES Rentals, Ananda was a Vice President in R&D division of Automatic Data Processing, where he led an internet-based product development organization with global teams.
Prior to that, Ananda was a Vice President and CTO of Cadence Design Systems, where he defined architecture direction for consistent web-enabling of information assets through Portals and Web Services.
Prior to his time with Cadence Design Systems, Ananda began his professional career as a research analyst in the Financial Planning organization at United Airlines working his way up to a position of Director of Information Services Division where his accomplishments included leading development of www.united.com and speech recognition applications, and building a flight planning system which saved United $100 million in fuel costs per year.
Ananda has a Ph.D in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona in Tucson after receiving his BS in Mining Engineering and MS in Industrial Engineering from the Indian School of Mines.
Among other topics, Carl discusses the following issues with Metis Strategy
Carl is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Ascention Consulting that specializes in providing fast, expert assistance to IT leaders. He is capable of providing unique perspectives and solutions based on his diverse IT experience in software and services, as a customer, vendor, director and investor.
He is presently an independent Director and Chairman of Casenet, Inc. Casenet is an early stage company providing health care management software and implementation services. He served as Executive Chairman over seeing all aspects of the company during a transition in CEOs. He played a key role in acquiring the company’s largest customer with revenue of $16M+. Casenet has completed three rounds of financing with the primary investors being Sigma Partners and HLM Venture Partners.
Before Casenet, Carl was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. He was responsible for all aspects of information of technology with a combined operating and capital budget of $250M. Support was provided to 3 million members, 3,500 employees with annual revenue of $12.5B. During his tenure dramatic improvements were made and numerous recognitions for technology excellence were received. His leadership was key in the establishment of the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative, a coalition to implement electronic medical records throughout the state.
Prior to joining Blue Cross in 2000, Carl was a Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. He was responsible for a regional IT consulting P&L serving all market segments. In the first year under his leadership revenue and profitability soared, and he was awarded the most improved practice in the firm. Increases of 30% annually were realized in subsequent years.
Carl began his career in information technology with Aetna, Inc. in 1978. Focused on software development in support of the health line of business, he was fast tracked from programmer to management. He later became Vice President and CIO of specialty products. He led the IT due diligence of all potential acquisitions, and made 50+ sales presentations to the Fortune 1000.
Carl received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Western New England College. He has been involved in various local community activities, business and technology educational programs, such as the Society for Information Management Executives, The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium.
He was recognized by the City of Boston for his leadership in establishing Project Refresh which provides corporate donations of used computers to schools.
