Edward Clark Jr.

Edward Clark, Jr. Northbrook, IL 60062 |- | www.linkedin.com/in/edclarkjr |-Vice President of Sales & Business Development Cloud Architecture | Digital Transformation | Artificial Intelligence | Data Analytics | Team Leadership | Customer Centric Transformation-minded leader and trusted advisor with a track record of leading technology-enabled, data-informed business strategies and innovation initiatives. Known for expertise in stakeholder management, vision development, and solution delivery. Proven ability to architect and deliver complex projects – utilizing innovative methodologies and strong program frameworks. Provide exceptional client service in leading and motivating cross-functional teams as well as ensuring optimal size and skillsets to drive business transformation and achieve strategic objectives. Technical Architecture & Infrastructure Expertise – Extensive background in IT operations, eBusiness operations, Cloud services, digital services, and implementation of enterprise-wide solution delivery via Agile/Scrum methods. Strategic Leadership and Management – Skilled at strategic planning, leading architect teams, cloud migration, modernization, transformation initiatives, partner management, service support, business process design, crisis management, and leveraging appropriate delivery methodologies to optimize business outcomes. CI/CD and DevOps Expertise – Leader of teams throughout complete CICD and DevOps automated tooling approach to software development for highly visible transformation initiatives. System Optimization and Compliance – Constant focus on optimizing system performance, reliability, security, and compliance; well-versed in ensuring SOX, HIPAA, GDPR compliance, and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) alignment. Financial Management and Innovation Leadership – Management of multimillion-dollar budgets and innovation leadership. Rich mix of ownership, leadership, relationship management, and decision-making skills. Revenue Generation and Business Development – Expertise at identifying and capturing opportunities to accelerate expansion, enhance revenues, and advance profits – delivering solutions for revenue generation. Areas of Expertise Infrastructure Optimization | Azure | eBusiness | Cloud Migration | Infrastructure Modernization Strategy | Account Planning, Consulting, Engagement | Team Leadership | Architecture | Technology Roadmap | C-suite Presentations | Proposal Pricing | Sales Delivery | Legacy Applications | CI/CD | DevOps | Digital Transformations | AI/ML | Data Analytics | Digital Advisory Services | Strategy Consulting | Enterprise Architecture | Business Development | Delivery Excellence Professional Experience SyrenCloud, Inc. Vice President of Sales & Business Development2024 – Present Lead global sales and business development efforts, supporting SyrenCloud’s expansive growth and strategic objectives by collaborating with executive management, clients, and engineering teams. Drive customer engagement with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, eBay, Microsoft, and GitHub – leveraging specialist capabilities in supply chain, data consulting, and software engineering. Oversee the development and implementation of innovative, AI/ML-driven technology solutions that identify and eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, enhancing operational efficiency and cost reduction. Spearhead numerous strategic consulting initiatives to optimize supply chain operations and reduce costs. Grow relationships with existing and prospective clients, enhancing market presence and driving revenue growth. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the organization, ensuring that Syren Cloud remains at the forefront of supply chain intelligence and data optimization. IBM Azure Practice Leader / Partner2022 – 2024 Collaborated efforts with cross-functional teams to develop innovative cloud-based service offerings tailored for the distribution sector, encompassing retail, consumer products, and travel and transportation industries. Directed a large-scale Azure cloud migration and modernization initiative, overseeing complex programs and projects that drove transformative change within the organization. Provided guidance on cloud migration and modernization strategies for key clients, playing a pivotal role in shaping their digital transformation journey. IBM – Azure Practice Leader / Partner (Continued) Demonstrated a deep understanding of AI/ML principles, including GenAI-specific approaches within Azure Cloud. Executed strategic account plans, successfully identifying and closing lucrative consulting opportunities. Cultivated and nurtured relationships with C-suite executives, actively contributing to proposal development and pricing strategies, which significantly enhanced the organization's competitive edge in the market. Established practice and led a team of 4 people including 2 Azure specialists. Spearheaded onboarding of a new Microsoft Alliance Lead for the Distribution team (Q4/23 & Q1/24) – 67+ years of combined Microsoft experience. Directed the Azure Distribution Practice's focus on practice/pipeline building by leveraging team expertise and relationships. Specifically, focused on establishing Azure best practice programs and origination initiatives, while building trust across IBM lead Client Partners and Microsoft Account Executives. Doubled Azure Distribution team's performance against signings targets ($304M against target of $152M). Pioneered thought leadership – ensuring in-person or video conference meetings between IBM and Microsoft teams, leading to the organization of six joint planning workshops and yielding an average of ten net-new opportunities from each workshop. Avanade / Accenture Group Manager / Program & Project Management2020 – 2022 Served as Lead on Azure Solution Desk, managing Microsoft Strategic Pursuit Team partnership between Accenture, Avanade, and Microsoft. Recognized as top FY22 customer billable resource on Azure Cloud Solution desk team. Balanced project scope, schedules, budgets, quality criteria, reporting, roadmap, change enablement, and risk management efforts to achieve or exceed required outcomes for Azure Cloud Solution Desk team initiatives. Produced detailed project work plans including appropriate controls, governance structures, timelines, budget, and quality outcomes for enterprise scale Azure based proposals. Directed Multi-National Bank product and foundation POD team for Azure year-one journey, a leading-edge delivery project preceding a $450M Azure commit. Captured $2.3M in year-one revenue for project, resulting in $47M factory workload migration and multi-National account earning status as "Diamond" Accenture account. Merged executive skill sets encompassing business skills, technical savvy, communication skills, and negotiating abilities to secure profitable client engagements. Microsoft Corporation Senior Managing Director – Cloud Architecture & Industry Services2018 – 2020 Led America’s Time Zone Strategic Pursuit Team for Microsoft's largest cloud migration, modernization, and transformation initiative. Drove innovation as a leader in the AI space during the- timeframe at Microsoft. Directed a team of solution architects in completing high value, complex, and highly visible engagements, with a large focus on digital transformations for world’s leading companies. Secured funding of $12.3M from a Sr. VP of Microsoft Services for 'Digital Ready for Analytics' program, resulting in creation of a 10-week Agile-based offering. Recognized with the Microsoft FY19 Champion Team Award and led the creation of the 'Digital Ready' for AI service offering, which generated $25 million in revenue during the- fiscal periods. Microsoft Corporation Sr. Managing Director – Digital Advisory Services / Managing Architect – Enterprise Strategy Program2012 – 2018 Led and guided a team in the planning, design, and delivery of innovative digital transformation initiatives for clients, driving business growth and operational efficiency. Recognized with the Champion Team Award for spearheading creation of the 'Digital Ready' AI service offering, showcasing innovation in the Service development. Microsoft Corporation Enterprise Strategy Consultant / Enterprise Architect – US Services2007 – 2012 Delivered planning services to Microsoft’s top enterprise customers. Contributed to development and execution of customers’ strategic technology initiatives. Ranked among top tier personnel in 2011 performance review. Was the five-time winner of North America 100% Sales Achievement Award (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011). Recognized as Recipient of Gold Star Award in 2009 and MVP Award for outstanding customer service in 2011. Microsoft Corporation Senior Consultant II – IT Architecture and Planning2005 – 2007 Mapped out customer problems, translated business needs into technology requirements for inclusion in contracts and/or statements of work (SOW), and delivered solutions throughout complete life cycle. Mentored customer account teams in identifying and closing business development opportunities while continually driving add-on business within existing projects. Recipient of Gold Star Award in 2009 and MVP Award for outstanding customer service in 2011. The National Opinion Research Center at University of Chicago Director, Technical Support Services & Operations Teams2005 Spearheaded full-scope operations for service desk, network operations center, workstations, and deployment strategies including team leadership, SLA adherence, and client satisfaction. Championed efforts to successfully balance $1.3M IT budget under adverse financial conditions. Transolutions Account Implementation Director2004 – 2005 Steered implementation projects throughout complete life cycle including project proposal, manpower, resources, timelines, status tracking, problem solving, and client satisfaction. Reggio’s Pizza Inc. Operations & IT Consultant2003 – 2004 Methodically conducted IT audit and site survey for manufacturing and retail facilities. Masterminded IT strategy to support current and future business needs including network infrastructure, operating system, applications, ERP system, and web presence. Standardized auditing procedures to generate $100K savings over six-month period. Served as General Manager for two concessions at Terminal 1 & 3, and project-managed opening of two concessions at O’Hare International Airport (Terminals 2 & 3). Allstate Insurance Company Enterprise Systems Manager 2000 – 2003 Led 24x7 team for incident detection, incident management, root cause analysis, technical communications, change coordination, and problem management for key web-based applications. Directed, coached, and motivated staff of 27 in Northbrook, IL. and 28 in Hudson, Ohio. Recognized by CTO for role in saving over $50M by focusing technology investments on cost-effective initiatives and coordinating design and construction of Enterprise Command Center. Two-time winner of Chairman’s Quality Award, and steadily advanced through a series of promotions based on dedication, contributions, and achievements. Achieved 92% Leadership Index in 2003 for Quarterly Leadership Management Survey. Recognized by Meta Group as executing best-in-class processes for web application monitoring. Planned, structured, & executed Ops Readiness Project which eliminated redundant monitoring & incident management activities & aligned technical services with business application groups. Allstate Insurance Company Manager, Workstation Deployment and System Management Service 1999 – 2000 Hired, trained, mentored, and managed 11 technicians. Provided operations management of software distribution to enterprise workstations. Successfully redeployed or upgraded all home office and extended campus workstations (10, 000+) for Y2K compliance prior to 2000 with zero rollover incidents. Allstate Insurance Company Division Manager, Enterprise Help Center 1997 – 1999 Hired, trained, mentored, and managed 28 problem tracking and problem management analysts. Managed the Response Line Center, the Problem Resolution Center, the Mobile Response Unit, the Traffic Management Center, and the Continuous Process Improvement Center. Directed the activities of two remote 100 seat call center (Hudson, Ohio & Dallas, Texas). Allstate Insurance Company Manager, Process and Systems Support 1994 – 1997 Hired, trained, mentored, and managed seven LAN\EMAIL\PC Workstation administrators. Managed the administration, training and level 1 support of the LAN and workstations of 550 clients. Coordinated the hardware and software budget, $500,000 annually. Allstate Insurance Company Senior Compensation Analyst, Human Resources1993 – 1994 Analyzed job duties, wrote job descriptions, performed evaluations, conducted compensation surveys, and administered benefit programs. Allstate Insurance Company Manager, Process and Systems Support 1992 – 1993 Managed the administration and support of the LAN and WordPerfect Office, with 250 devices. Coordinated the hardware and software budget, $300,000 annually. Allstate Insurance Company Senior (1990 – 1992) Systems Information Resource Analyst 1988 – 1990 Supported IBM’s 8100, DISOSS systems, and PC workstations, including end-user support. Allstate Insurance Company Unit Supervisor Trainee, Premium Account Department 1986 – 1988 Supervised accounting assistants posting premium checks and performing audits. Education and Credentials University of Phoenix – Candidate, Doctor of Management, Organizational Leadership University of Phoenix – Professional Certification, Post Master’s Research Essentials Lake Forest Graduate School of Management – Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Purdue University – Bachelor of Science in Financial Analysis Professional Development and Training IBM Consulting: Hybrid Cloud Knowledge Leader and IBM GenAI Seller, Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Red Hat Cloud Services: Seller, Red Hat OpenShift: Seller, Red Hat Portfolio: Foundational CITA-P Board Certification, International Association of Software Architects