JIRA
Chester Vergara
Program Manager/IT Project Manager SDLC
Sacramento,CA - California
Summary
A results-driven Program Manager with extensive experience leading the successful delivery of a project/initiative. Involved in full life cycle of the project from requirements gathering, analyzing, designing, and developing the application using iterative Agile methodology. Accustomed to organizing a development team by providing day-to-day production support that includes SCRUM exercises, grooming, bug fixing, enhancements and providing best solutions to the client.
Accomplishments
- Increased PMO efficiency and transparency by introducing customized PPM tooling SmartSheets and Systems for E2E project management tasking, reporting and tracking.
- Developed the plan and strategy that integrated 6 separate internally developed proprietary tools into a single internally developed solution that decreased screentime of end users (>100 users) by up to 75%. This was done through automating repeatable tasks, and streamlining business process functions cross functionally.
- Designed and developed PMO intake process which decreased Backlog items by up to 50%.
- Regularly met with SME's (Developers, Analysts, PM's and Admins) to monitor implementation impacts, which expedited technical issue response time by 5 business days.
- Involved in $3M cost saving initiatives (HBR) with Centene/HealthNet through automation and redundancy review of inflight projects.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. IT Project Manager
The Duckhorn Portfolio
St Helena, CA
03.2023 - Current
- Partnered with project team members and SME's to identify and quickly address problems and opportunities for improvement.
- Oversaw large portfolio of projects to support teams, report progress, and influence positive outcomes for key stakeholders.
- Directed changes to project management process, including project scoping, project intake, resource/cost management and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Communicated project plans and progress to key stakeholders and project contributors via Communications plan, and RACI matrix.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to meet objectives and boost rapport.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
- Updated customers and senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
Principal Sr. Project Manager
Pixelberry Studios
Mountain View, CA
11.2022 - 02.2023
- Directed changes to project scope and cost and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Communicated project plans and progress to key stakeholders and project contributors.
- Crafted and maintained project plans and schedules to meet organizational objectives.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
- Provided outstanding service to clients through effective communication and prompt issue resolution to facilitate future business opportunities.
- Oversaw large portfolio of projects to support teams, report progress, and influence positive outcomes for key stakeholders.
- Monitored contracts and service level agreements to identify potential risks and implement mitigation actions to protect development process from unforeseen delays and costs.
Program Manager (PMO)
Meta
Fremont, CA
04.2021 - 10.2022
- Addressed and resolved technical, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
- Established milestones and objectives based on input from functional areas and stakeholders.
- Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
- Developed and maintained logistics workflows, procedures and reports.
- Leveraged project management processes and tools to define and execute projects.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Used online conferencing tools such as MS Teams and MIRO to conduct training and learning sessions in remote environments.
Project Manager, PMO
Western Governers University
Mill Creek, UT
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Managed projects from procurement to commission.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Designed technical upgrade paths, incorporating requested functionality and performance enhancements.
- Drafted project reports to identify successful outcomes, insights and future recommendations.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
Program Manager
Spencer Technologies
Medway, MA
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Established milestones and objectives based on input from functional areas and stakeholders.
- Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
- Developed and maintained logistics workflows, procedures and reports.
- Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Participated in vendor selection and management process for program initiatives.
- Devised creative solutions to critical customer and user needs.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
Sr. Project Manager
HealthNet
Sacramento, CA
10.2017 - 01.2019
- Monitored contracts and service level agreements to identify potential risks and implement mitigation actions to protect development process from unforeseen delays and costs.
- Oversaw large portfolio of projects to support teams, report progress, and influence positive outcomes for key stakeholders.
- Communicated project plans and progress to key stakeholders and project contributors.
- Directed changes to project scope and cost and implemented appropriate change management processes to keep project on track.
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to determine timely delivery and compliance of project requirements.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to meet objectives and boost rapport.
- Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress and technical problems.
Director of Project Management
Redacted Studios
Oakland, CA
01.2011 - 09.2017
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance.
- Managed projects from procurement to commission.
- Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Prepared and submitted project invoices for review and approval.
- Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
- Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress and technical problems.
- Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
Sr. Producer
Namco Bandai Games
Santa Clara, CA
01.1999 - 01.2010
- Drafted production schedules for every department on production team.
- Provided input and direction to employees regarding projects and tasks.
- Worked with creative team to find perfect locations for creative projects.
- Implemented processes that would shave valuable time off of complex projects.
- Managed projects encompassing 165 employees with flexible, interactive approach.
- Promoted company by giving exciting and dynamic presentations to clients and partners.
- Developed schedules for production, editing, and duplication for timely delivery.
- Monitored production and evaluated performance against set targets, making adjustments to areas of weakness.
- Liaised with directors, actors and other creative staff to successfully complete projects.
- Coordinated with vendors to obtain supplies needed for shoots at best value for money.
- Facilitated communication between production staff and other departments to synchronize work.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase production efficiency.
- Improved production company operations and profitability by applying new technologies and fostering evolution of production standards.
Education
Associate of Arts - Graphic Design
Silicon Valley College
San Jose, CA 09.1996 - 05.1998
Skills
Project Scheduling
Client liaison
Cost Control
Active Listening
G-Suite
Excellent Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Flexible and Adaptable
Software
MS Project
Asana
SmartSheets
Adobe CS Suite
MS Office
Confluence
MIRO
LucidCharts
Certification
PMP
Freelance Graphic Designer
Have designed apparel, logos, websites as well as characters for various clients, some of which are YouTube influencers with millions of viewers.
Timeline
Sr. IT Project Manager
The Duckhorn Portfolio
03.2023 - Current
Principal Sr. Project Manager
Pixelberry Studios
11.2022 - 02.2023
Program Manager (PMO)
Meta
04.2021 - 10.2022
Project Manager, PMO
Western Governers University
02.2020 - 03.2021
Program Manager
Spencer Technologies
05.2019 - 01.2020
PMP
10-2017
Sr. Project Manager
HealthNet
10.2017 - 01.2019
Director of Project Management
Redacted Studios
01.2011 - 09.2017
Sr. Producer
Namco Bandai Games
01.1999 - 01.2010
Associate of Arts - Graphic Design
Silicon Valley College
09.1996 - 05.1998