ALAN T. LAKE
Chicago,IL
Summary
Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) recognized subject matter expert in Crisis Response/Management, Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Enterprise Operational Resilience (EOR) office creation. Developed road maps to improve resilience and response at 5 companies (4 Fortune 250). Expert at creating governance, goals and metrics for Business Continuity (BC), Crisis Management (CM) and Incident Response. Crisis response leader and consultant to many highly regulated companies. Incredible success in the core areas of: Managing Global CM Operations ITDR Alignment Guiding Steering Committee Actions IT, Logistics, Security Integration Governance/Policy Creation Resilience Analytics/Audit/Metrics Crisis Communications Risk Assessments CM and Incident Response Planning Process Improvement Senior Leader Alignment Plan Exercises/Tests
Knowledgeable President of Response Operations with proven background in consulting, delivering strategic insights and effective solutions to clients. Successfully led multiple projects, enhancing operational efficiency and driving business growth. Demonstrated expertise in problem-solving and client relationship management.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Continuity and Crisis Response Consultant
Self Employed and Disaster Recovery Institute International
05.2018 - Current
- Advised companies like Dell Technologies (2019), Arcutis Biopharma (2021) Discover Financial Services (2022), KPMG(2022 and 2023) and other companies on BC and Crisis Response best practices on architecture, conducted exercises, created leadership positions with roles, created governance and created their BC and Crisis Response program management approach.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved crisis response decision-making processes within the organization.
- DRI Faculty and Department of Defense Interface for Training military in Crisis Response and BC best practices for international certification
Director of Worldwide BC and Crisis Management
AMGEN Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2018
- Amgen’s lead company expert responsible for management of BC, CM/Crisis Response, Emergency Management and ITDR.
- Corporate program leader that led a global program and developed governance (Policy and Program, Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Planning and Exercise standards) and framework for monitoring and response.
- Senior leaders credited me with saving a $16B production site during Hurricane Maria. Through risk mitigation, response planning, governance and exercises, the company was ready to respond to the hurricane and recovered back to production in only 10 days after impact…the first of 22 companies on the island to recover. Online video published by Amgen in 2024 highlighted it n LinkedIn.
- Used military skills to work with DHS/FEMA and DOT to give my teams and jets permission to operate in the disaster area.
- Created resupply air bridge to Puerto Rico from Florida and California
- Created criteria and methodology for over 200 plans, playbooks and exercises to ensure we met recovery objectives; created the program’s BC, Crisis Response, ITDR, EM policy and standards.
- Led all international crisis response for CEO
Base Commander
Department of Defense
01.2005 - 01.2011
- Base Commander and site leader at 3 locations; responsible for all EOR operations and risk and resources planning.
- Crisis Response Leader, EOC Director and Crisis Action Team member on real world events and 'Excellent' ratings from inspector general.
- Led all resilience actions for security, BC, CM, IT/DR and EM planning and response activities leader.
- Led up to 1,500 staff in logistics, contracting, IT, security, HR, engineering, EOC and legal.
- Worked closely with federal, state and city government agencies in hurricane response to damage in Texas and NOLA.
- 1st leader to be selected as USAF Crisis Response Go Team Leader for any major US crisis (such as 911, etc.).
- Led site crisis response amidst 49 enemy attacks on US troops in Baghdad; protected 700 lives.
- Worked with President of Iraq during crisis and led aerial port resupply at Baghdad Intl Airport
- Responded to hurricanes, flooding, hostile events,and severe weather.
- Maximized the use of crisis communications for command and control.
- Worked international agreements with Government of Spain in Spanish in highly regulated area to ensure continued permission to operate.
Education
Master of Arts Degree - Management
Webster University
St Louis, MOBachelor of Science Degree - Geography
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, ILCertified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) - undefined
Disaster Recovery Institute International
Certified International CBCP Instructor - undefined
Disaster Recovery Institute International
Certified Business Resiliency Auditor - undefined
Business Resilience Certification Consortium International
Skills
- Managing large and geographically separated response teams
- International disaster response
- Effective information synthesis
- Proactive problem-solving during crises
- Detail-oriented approach
- Meeting regulatory requirements and laws
- Driving continuous improvement
- Navigating intricate relationships
- Working with government leaders at UN, White House, State, DHS
- Integrating cross-functional support
- Spanish speaker
- Building and leading multidisciplinary global teams
Accomplishments
Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria Response and Recovery within 10 days
Wildfire responses in California
Hurricane Sandy response
Climate change storms
Active shooter response in Germany
Pandemic operations response
Expanded resilience and response governance
Improved program steering committee engagement
Integrated physical security and IT security into combined response team
Certification
- Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Certified International CBCP Instructor, Disaster Recovery Institute International
- Certified Business Resiliency Auditor, Business Resilience Certification Consortium International
Crisis Response Executive Leader
Title: Crisis Response, Business Continuity, and Enterprise Operational Resilience Expert Executive
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Business Continuity and Crisis Response Consultant
Self Employed and Disaster Recovery Institute International
05.2018 - Current
Director of Worldwide BC and Crisis Management
AMGEN Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2018
Base Commander
Department of Defense
01.2005 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science Degree - Geography
Southern Illinois University
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) - undefined
Disaster Recovery Institute International
Certified International CBCP Instructor - undefined
Disaster Recovery Institute International
Certified Business Resiliency Auditor - undefined
Business Resilience Certification Consortium International
Master of Arts Degree - Management
Webster University
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