Brant C. Nicholas
Chandler,AZ
Summary
CAREER SUMMARY Innovative Executive Leader in Information Security with extensive experience successfully driving transformative initiatives and strategies in multiple sectors. Demonstrated expertise ensuring compliance, overseeing integration of cutting-edge technologies, optimizing IT infrastructures and systems, and managing third-party vendor relationships. Recognized for expertise in governance, risk management, compliance (HIPAA, SOC/SOC2, NIST), cloud computing including Azure and AWS, and organizational change management for IS Systems transformation. Directed company's digital transformation to a fully cloud-enabled infrastructure across US and EU territories, improving efficiency, security, and system performance, while reducing operational costs by 27% over 3 years while growing and revenue year-over-year. Created and enforced data management standards in Fortune 50 enterprise, including DevOps and DevSecOps protocols, across cross-functional verticals involving 45 VPs and Directors, ensuring effective governance and HIPAA data compliance and test data management in non-production environments. Recognized as a leader, receiving 3 “Values In Action” awards over 3 years, growing operational support teams to ensure service availability, operational stability, and sustainability, with KPI demonstrating strategic business outcomes realized. LEADERSHIP & CORE COMPETENCIES IS Strategy Alignment | Governance & Compliance | Cloud Computing (M365, Azure, AWS) | Strategic Planning & Execution | SOC2 & NIST CSF Compliance | Cross-Functional Leadership | Cybersecurity & Data Protection | P&L Management | Software Development Team Management | Process Optimization & Automation | Digital Transformation | Vendor & Stakeholder Management | DevOps & DevSecOps Implementation | Compliance Management & Governance (GRC) | Project Management | Operational Efficiency Enhancement | Data Analytics & Business Intelligence | Team Development & Retention | Bilingual: French/English
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
VP of Technology & Operations
RUCKUSDEV LLC
01.2021 - Current
- C-Suite liaison for RuckusDev LLC with focus on strategic goals alignment, KPI/OKR reporting, and responsibility for governance, messaging and direction of multiple down-line service delivery teams
- Developed and implemented comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that reduced security incidents by 40% and ensured compliance with industry standards and regulations
- Responsible for full lifecycle management of third-party vendor partner relationships including software, hardware, and cloud services
- Directed company's digital transformation to a fully cloud-enabled infrastructure in US and EU territories, improving efficiency, security, and system performance, while reducing operational costs by 8-10% annually and increasing revenue 200% year-over-year
- Lead team of 15 direct reports (60 downline) with full P&L responsibility, driving strategic IT operations across 2 brand verticals which included Vigilante.us (projects for NASA, US Marine Corps, US Air Force/Space Force, and Lockheed) and Plan A Collective (projects for Electronic Arts, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Games, etc.)
- Design, implement and optimize security and data compliance policies across M365, Azure, and AWS environments
- Maintain a 99.98% customer satisfaction rate in software project delivery and achieving a 100% on-time, on-budget delivery record
- Streamline project management by leveraging LEAN Agile SDLC, resulting in a 35% increase in team productivity (as measured in value / features delivered) and a 73% acceleration in project estimate / RFP turnaround time
- Primary point of contact for multiple third-party compliance audits for Fortune-100 clients
- Personally authored policies for compliance with data security and regulatory standards
- PROSCI certified organizational change manager, responsible for ensuring strategic change initiatives are successful while fostering a culture of continuous growth, diversity, innovation and collaboration within the technology teams.
- Introduced process improvements that reduced operational costs while maintaining high-quality standards across all departments.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
Senior Project Manager
ANTHEM, INC
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Created, implemented and supported a Business Intelligence / Data Analytics platform for the EPMO, directly reporting to the Director, and provided comprehensive medical claims payment and project performance analytics to senior leadership using Tableau and Power BI, giving critical insights into program performance across the enterprise
- Governed PMO cost tracking controls through strategic data analytics, automating previously manual processes, and achieving significant cost savings for project initiatives as confirmed by audit, enhancing operational efficiency across diverse stakeholder groups.
Director of Technology
Anthem, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Led and managed a team of 12-23 direct reports, including Enterprise Managers, PM, and IT engineers, successfully overseeing multiple teams in a technically challenging and rewarding role, while maintaining an exceptionally low attrition rate of 1-2%
- Created and enforced data management standards, including DevOps and DevSecOps protocols, across cross-functional verticals involving 45 VPs and Directors, ensuring HIPAA data compliance and test data management in complex non-production environments
- Pioneered strategic initiatives for enterprise IT systems, including cloud migration and the development of a private cloud Hadoop Data Lake, which advanced healthcare monitoring and reporting solutions
- Negotiated $2M annual reduction in vendor software licensing costs with a parallel 15% increase in workflow efficiency
- Led SOC2 compliance projects, ensuring strict adherence standards and best practices for confidential healthcare data management
- Developed a comprehensive analytics platform to automate data gathering and unify reporting across various enterprise systems, enhancing data-driven decision-making and demonstrating strong expertise in data analytics and business intelligence
- Recognized as an emerging leader with multiple 'A' for Anthem “Values in Action” awards, expanded operational support teams from a small foundation to over 65 resources, significantly improving enterprise support capacity and operational readiness.
Manager of Technology
Anthem, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Led the software development team and successful migration of a healthcare data management system from a third-party solution to in-house developed custom software, resulting in $1.35M in recurring annual savings
- Responsible for full third-party vendor lifecycle management for Deloitte, Accenture, and Cognizant teams across teams in the US and India
- Managed all aspects of software product development lifecycle (SDLC) including Planning, Requirements Analysis, Design, Implementation (Coding), Testing, Deployment, and ongoing Maintenance, while advising senior leadership (VP level) on budgets, risk management and ensuring successful interaction with medical teams.
- Managed implementation of new technological improvements resulting in increased efficiency.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
Biola University
Bachelor of Arts - Clinical Psychology
University of Southern California
PROSCI Organizational Change Management Certified SAFe 5 Agilist Certified PMP Certified, PMI Six Sigma Yellow Belt (2024) | Six Sigma Greenbelt (In Progress) -
Skills
- Operations Management
- Organizational Development
- Digital Transformation
- Human Resources Management
- Strategic Planning
- Growth planning
- Project Management
- Program Management
- Policy Development
- Program Oversight
- Contract Negotiation
- Executive Leadership
Interests
OCEG, Active Member in Governance, Risk, & Compliance
Certification
PROSCI – Organizational Change Management
SAFe 5 Agilist & Agile Certified Scrum Master
PMI – Project Management Professional (PMP)
Six Sigma - Yellow Belt
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Full Professional
Timeline
VP of Technology & Operations
RUCKUSDEV LLC
01.2021 - Current
Senior Project Manager
ANTHEM, INC
01.2018 - 01.2020
Director of Technology
Anthem, Inc.
01.2015 - 01.2018
Manager of Technology
Anthem, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2015
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
Biola University
Bachelor of Arts - Clinical Psychology
University of Southern California
PROSCI Organizational Change Management Certified SAFe 5 Agilist Certified PMP Certified, PMI Six Sigma Yellow Belt (2024) | Six Sigma Greenbelt (In Progress) -
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