Ben Fears
Summary
Dynamic executive with a proven track record within the banking industry, excelling in strategic planning, operational risk and governance, regulatory compliance, and employee retention. Spearheaded process improvements through data-driven decision making. Cultivated high-performing teams while enhancing operational efficiency, demonstrating strong leadership and analytical skills to drive organizational success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Vice President, Technology Governance
Bank OZK
01.2022 - Current
- Assembled team of vice president-level leaders to develop group and grow and develop continuity.
- Set sound technology policies in place and worked with Information Security to balance operational efficiencies and security for employees and systems.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Managed financial, operational, and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Oversaw technology-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings and efficiencies.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders from all four lines of defense to review and maintain compliance with FFIEC guidelines and FDIC regulations.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
Senior VP, Deputy Director of IT - Risk Management
Bank OZK
07.2019 - 01.2022
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and standards.
- Hired and trained risk management professionals to drive new business processes and risk mitigation to identify and validate the technical operational risk was in tolerance.
- Developed measurement tools, dashboards, key performance indicators, and reports to track metrics on adoption and effectiveness of processes.
- Presented and discussed strategy and initiative progress with senior business leaders.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Collaborated with cross-functioning teams within and outside of Information Technology to review and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Collaborated with key business stakeholders and Enterprise Operational Risk Management to accomplish and document key objectives.
- Turned mandates into actionable operational strategies.
- Improved coordination and communications across organization to increase operational efficiency.
IT Business Risk Officer
Bank OZK
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Studied front line risk tolerance to identify avenues for improvement to new and existing business initiatives and processes.
- Applied subject matter expertise and industry knowledge to provide independent oversight to operational risk management activities.
- Influenced appropriate risk management prioritization on front lines to promote strategic objectives while meeting operational risk program expectations.
- Established and oversaw application of operational risk policies, technology and tools and governance processes to create lasting solutions for minimizing losses.
- Assessed organization-wide banking function, challenging existing operational risk routines to improve identification, access control and incident reporting standards.
- Served as subject matter expert for development and implementation of corrective action plans where substantial unnecessary loss resulted regularly from current policy.
- Fostered productive business partnerships with team members and outside representatives to benefit personal understanding of risk factors and strengthen influence through positive reputation.
- Took initiative in gathering information and solving problems independently within highly structured corporate environment.
- Coordinated ongoing efforts to strengthen risk culture and fine-tuned risk appetite for technology and operation activities.
- Devised new policies and specific processes to handle ongoing monitoring needs for potential risks.
- Identified key risks and mitigating factors of potential initiatives.
- Produced and presented reports to inform senior management of current activities and progress with operational risk.
- Monitored industry, technological and regulatory developments to stay current on potential risks.
Internal IT Audit Officer
BancorpSouth
06.2017 - 05.2018
- Developed high-level knowledge of client Information Technology goals, policies and procedures to establish foundation for targeted problem solutions.
- Cultivated mutually beneficial relationships with clients and operational management to facilitate improved business operations.
- Conducted strategic and technical reviews to verify compliance with quality control standards, schedule constraints and budget parameters.
Information Services Security Analyst
BancorpSouth
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Performed risk analyses to identify appropriate security countermeasures.
- Developed plans to safeguard computer files against modification, destruction, or disclosure.
- Conducted security audits to identify vulnerabilities.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Versatile professional with strong problem-solving skills and history of adapting to diverse challenges. Applies innovative solutions and technical expertise to deliver exceptional results. Committed to streamlining processes and advancing organizational objectives.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to security and technical problems.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
Education
Associate of Arts - General Business
Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS12-2005
Skills
- Strategic planning and execution
- IT Service Management
- Performance and audit analysis
- Workforce planning
- Staff advancement
- Logical thinking capability
- Data-driven decision making
- Process improvements
- Risk Assessments
- Procedure establishment
Certification
- CRISC - Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control
- CDPSE - Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer
- ITIL v4 Foundation
Timeline
Executive Vice President, Technology Governance
Bank OZK
01.2022 - Current
Senior VP, Deputy Director of IT - Risk Management
Bank OZK
07.2019 - 01.2022
IT Business Risk Officer
Bank OZK
06.2018 - 07.2019
Internal IT Audit Officer
BancorpSouth
06.2017 - 05.2018
Information Services Security Analyst
BancorpSouth
08.2015 - 06.2017
Associate of Arts - General Business
Itawamba Community College
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