HELLO!
I’M HOWARD

Welcome to My Site

My Elevator Pitch

I am a technology executive with more than 27 years of experience driving enterprise IT strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. My career began in healthcare, where I led HIPAA compliance initiatives that shaped my lifelong focus on security, governance, and mission-critical operations.

Throughout my career, I’ve guided organizations through complex transformations — from modernizing infrastructure and implementing Zero Trust security, to enabling cloud adoption, automation, and AI-driven solutions. I bring a pragmatic yet forward-looking leadership style that balances innovation with regulatory and operational realities.

My passion is aligning technology with business strategy to deliver measurable value. I thrive on building collaborative teams, engaging executives and boards, and creating digital ecosystems that improve operations, customer experience, and long-term growth.

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MY EXPERIENCE

Roles & Responsibilities

Director of Infrastructure, IT Security, Operations & End User Computing - Liberty Steel USA - June 2023 - August 2024

Managed $15M P&L, balancing innovation and operational cost controls while delivering measurable value to the business.
Directed enterprise-wide digital transformation across U.S. manufacturing operations, improving business efficiency, customer success outcomes, and profitability.
Architected and executed a 3-year digital transformation roadmap, aligning IT investments with business growth targets and manufacturing optimization.
Drove P&L improvements through strategic outsourcing initiatives, optimizing operational costs while enhancing service delivery across multiple business units.
Restructured vendor ecosystem, achieving 20% cost optimization while simultaneously improving service quality and responsiveness.
Implemented enterprise analytics with Power BI, enabling data-driven decision-making and real-time operational insights for executives and plant leadership.
Established a formal IT Security organization to drive enterprise cybersecurity strategy, governance, and Zero Trust alignment, while institutionalizing enterprise wide cybersecurity awareness training reducing human risk and improving overall security resilience.
Designed and piloted AI/automation initiatives (Glide Apps, OpenAI, Power BI), projected to save thousands of work hours annually.

Sr. Director of IT Strategy & Governance - Wilks Brothers, 2021-2023

Managed $12M IT budget, enhancing cloud efficiency and cutting costs by $750K annually.
Led data migration to Azure, boosting app performance by 40% and slashing recovery time to 4 hours.
Reduced telecom expenses by $400K annually by migrating 2000+ users to cloud based systems.
Implemented cybersecurity measures, fortifying data integrity across the organization.
Streamlined device provisioning, saving $175K annually in labor costs.
Conducted in-depth risk assessments, enhancing cybersecurity protocols that fortified data integrity and reduced vulnerability to threats.
Partnered with third-party security firms to conduct annual penetration tests, risk assessments, and compliance audits.
Coordinated cross-departmental initiatives, ensuring alignment of IT strategies with business goals and fostering a culture of shared success.
Leverage technology to drive organizational success and support team development through strategic IT initiatives.
Spearheaded the IT budget strategy, optimizing resource allocation to achieve substantial improvements in operational efficiency.
Executed meticulous risk assessments that strengthened cybersecurity measures, significantly mitigating potential data breaches.
Modernized IT across 8 operational sites, improving system uptime while strengthening security posture and compliance readiness.
Directed cybersecurity transformation, implementing SOC, yearly penetration testing, and Zero Trust architecture to reduce organizational risk.
Designed and piloted AI/automation initiatives (Copilot, Power BI), projected to save thousands of work hours annually.
Partnered with board and C-Suite, translating complex technology strategy into actionable business outcomes.

Director of IT Operations & Enterprise Solutions - Wilks Brothers, 2014-2021

Spearheaded IT strategy for 24+ businesses, enhancing client collaboration through targeted technology alignment, resulting in substantial improvements.
Built IT governance and PMO frameworks, accelerating project delivery and ensuring alignment with executive priorities.
Guided PMO establishment, mentoring project managers and fostering culture of continuous
improvement.
Built comprehensive IT Service Desk standardizing Incident/Request/Change management
processes.
Executed comprehensive IT integration for a mid-sized acquisition, achieving $5M in annual cost synergies and completing the project ahead of schedule.
Established a formal IT Security organization to drive enterprise cybersecurity strategy,
governance.
Implemented Azure AD join for 2000+ employees, achieving 99.9% success across 2800+
devices.
Directed comprehensive cybersecurity initiatives reducing security incidents by 85%, implementing enterprise IAM for 1800+ users, and achieving 100% MFA adoption.
Conducted thorough security assessments, leading third-party penetration tests that identified critical vulnerabilities and improved overall security posture by 40%.
Institutionalizing enterprise wide cybersecurity awareness training using KnowBe4 reducing human layer risk and improving overall security resilience.
Deployed Dell/Intune connected provisioning reducing device setup time from 6 hours to 35 minutes, achieving $175K annual labor savings.
Print Infrastructure Overhaul: Eliminated 23 print servers using PrinterLogic, reducing help desk tickets by 70% and management time by 90%.
Orchestrated a comprehensive IT strategy, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning technology with business objectives.
Maintained rigorous oversight of IT budgets and resources, driving measurable improvements in project delivery and cost management.
M&A Technology Integration: Complete IT harmonization including network integration, data consolidation, and process standardization across acquired organization.
Directed enterprise technology services supporting 3 administrative centers, 20+ remote offices, and thousands of nationwide users.
Enabled executive technology reliability with dedicated support models, ensuring 24/7 continuity across high-visibility operations.
Delivered enterprise wide projects including Windows migrations, ERP/HR integrations, and acquisition/divestiture IT transitions.
Standardized hardware/software platforms and improved imaging/automation processes, cutting deployment times by 40%.
Enhanced user experience by streamlining service desk operations and introducing proactive endpoint management.

Manager of IT Client Services FracTech/FTSI, 2011-2014

Directed Client Technology & Executive IT Support Teams across 3 large administrative offices (Fort Worth, Cisco, Houston) plus all remote company offices, man camps, and mobile drill sites.
Managed $1.6M OPEX/CAPEX budget, aligning technology spend with business priorities.
Developed and evolved a multi-channel client technology roadmap, improving request fulfillment and incident response times.
Mentored and advanced staff through formal performance management, goals, and career development.
Served as project owner for multiple enterprise initiatives:
- Mobile Device Management — led RFP process and vendor evaluation.
- Windows 7 Migration — completed migration on schedule and budget.
- Divestiture & Acquisition IT Transitions — coordinated domain migrations and technology separation.
- PC Refresh of 700+ devices using only internal staff, cutting deployment costs.
Standardized hardware approval and built optimized imaging processes, reducing setup time and improving quality.

Client Service Team Manager - Capgemini/HCL America (TXU Energy/Oncor/Luminant/EFH Holdings, 2006-2010

Managed IT Client Services team providing enterprise-wide support to thousands of users across multiple utility and energy subsidiaries.
Partnered with executive leadership during business reorganizations and IT service transitions.
Improved service desk processes and documentation, enabling higher first-call resolution rates.
Led projects including desktop standardization, software rollouts, and mobile support expansions.
Oversaw vendor relationships and ensured SLA compliance across outsourced IT services.

IT Client Services - Yellowbook USA, 2002-2006

Support for hardware, software, and peripheral devices (e.g., printers, scanners, mobile devices).
Install, configure, and maintain Windows-based desktops, laptops, and tablets.
Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to operating systems, network connectivity, email, and
user applications.
Manage user accounts, passwords, and group policies in Active Directory.
Deploy and maintain security patches, software updates, and antivirus protection.
Set up and support video conferencing systems, projectors, and meeting room technologies.
Document incidents, service requests, and resolutions in the IT ticketing system.
Collaborate with Infrastructure and Security teams for escalated issues.
Assist in onboarding/offboarding of employees (workstation setup, account provisioning, hardware retrieval).
Maintain an inventory of IT assets and participate in lifecycle management.
Provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively with non-technical users.

Tech Support II - Northwest Texas Healthcare, 1997-2002

Managed and maintained the IT infrastructure supporting Emergency Room, Accounting, Medical Records, Human Resources, and Executive leadership teams, ensuring secure and reliable 24/7 operations.
Oversaw desktop, server , and network administration including configuration, deployment, patching, and troubleshooting of critical hospital systems.
Provided comprehensive IT support for remote doctor offices as well as accessing the hospital patient clinical system.
Led the enterprise email migration from Microsoft Exchange to Lotus Notes, including planning, data migration, user training, and post migration support for the hospital departments.
Directed the implementation, training, and enforcement of HIPAA compliance standards across the hospital and remote locations, ensuring regulatory adherence and patient data protection.
Developed and maintained infrastructure documentation, SOPs, and conducted staff training on HIPPA best practices and data handling.
Technical lead for newly established centralized patient scheduling office for all procedures (lab, diagnostic imaging, neurology, and other disciplines). This model was implemented across the company’s US footprint and included the hardware, office configuration and supporting technical needs of a call center.