Darek Sady
Solutions Engineer
Chapel Hill,NC
Summary
Strategic consultant with 20+ years of experience leading product-market strategy and supporting implementation of innovative products for unique niches.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Management Director – Technical Product Management
Anthology Inc. (formerly Blackboard Inc.)
Reston, VA
05.2019 - 07.2023
- Usage Growth Reporting: Engineered and implemented monthly automated comprehensive storage usage reporting and notification system for 2000+ global SaaS clients in support of data transparency and customer retention
- Blackboard Home: Provided SME support for requirements gathering, development, data validation, client user acceptance, testing, rollout, troubleshooting, and enhancements of next-gen real-time usage metrics dashboard integrated within flagship LMS product
- Blackboard App Catalog: Planned, developed, launched, and supported the first comprehensive provider-driven client-facing catalog of 100+ partner integrations supporting real-time updates, adoption tracking, and enterprise reporting
- UEF Product Management: Coordinated roadmap planning and capability mapping, delivered developer training, assessed gap analysis, and verified provider product feature support in launching the Ultra Extension Framework SDK
Solutions Engineer – Providers
Blackboard Inc.
Washington, DC
07.2011 - 05.2019
- Served as senior expert and product evangelist of Blackboard LMS and CMS products, including their architecture, functionality, industry application, and deployment methodologies (local, managed, and SaaS hosting models)
- Led C-Suite level sales meetings with prospective partners including presentations on technical, pedagogical, and administrative aspects detailing how products, services, and solutions solve specific customer problems
- Instantiated, configured, tested, troubleshooted, supported, and documented Blackboard Learn Amazon Machine Images (AMI) for developer partners
- Collaborated with sales and accounts executives to research product functionality, develop creative client-focused solutions, sell product strategic value, and document recommendations for RFPs and RFIs
- Supported sales pipeline development activities by creating effective just-in-time training and professional development opportunities – $20M of new revenue in 2017
- Delivered demonstration presentations on technical features, competitive advantages, and business benefits of Blackboard technology
- Delivered exemplary product presentations at Trade Shows, Conferences, Workshops, Webinars and internal company meetings
- Developed and deliver custom wireframes, workflows, prototypes, and presentations to internal and external key decision makers to address their user epics, workflows, and business needs
- Shaped development and execution of Partner Cloud configuration service for platform integrations with strategic partners including McGraw-Hill, Pearson, Cengage, Macmillan, VitalSource and Dropbox
- Advised direct supervisor (Chief Strategy Officer) on new solutions to achieve annual new revenue targets
Senior Manager – Consulting
Blackboard Inc.
Washington, DC
03.2007 - 07.2011
- Delivered administrator, user, functional and technical training and consulting across Bb Learn and Outcomes Academic Assessment and Evaluation platform both onsite and online
- Independently designed and implemented Visual Basic enterprise batch reporting solution delivering thousands of course evaluation reports across multiple clients
- Achieved 146.3% of Effective Hours target for 2009
- Awards: 2009 ABCD, 2008 Top Performer, 2007 ABCD, 2007 Spot On
Senior Consultant – Training
Blackboard Inc.
Washington, DC
04.2004 - 03.2007
- Delivered 200+ internal, onsite, regional and online LMS training, consulting, and implementation for domestic and international Blackboard Learn clients
- Served as Blackboard functional expert for onsite strategic consulting engagements for system administration, course creation, content management and portal construction
- Delivered custom user, course, enrollment, and portal integrations between Blackboard products and client SIS (Student Information System) environments including PeopleSoft, DataTel, Banner, and Jenzabar
- Developed and maintained updated training agendas, materials, and client deliverables in accordance with product release cycles
- Determined areas for improvement and implemented processes to alleviate problems
Distance Learning Help Desk Manager & Full-Time IT Faculty
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC
01.2003 - 04.2004
- Taught fulltime course load of 1st and 2nd year IT courses in traditional, hybrid and online delivery modes
- Managed development of Blackboard training and teaching materials for faculty and students
- Achieved top ranking among top instructors in Business division for student learning, success, and satisfaction
Computer Support Analyst
Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
01.2002 - 08.2002
- Served as Information Technology liaison
- Provided comprehensive IT and Blackboard technical support and training for 300+ School of Health Sciences students, faculty, and staff
Director of Information Technology & Full-Time IT Faculty
Utica School of Commerce
Utica, NY
12.1999 - 06.2001
- Taught fulltime credit course load of 1st and 2nd year IT courses
- Managed hardware, software and training resources across 3 branch campuses
- Developed and led student intern training program for credit-based IT professional shadowing
Computer Support Specialist
Utica University
Utica, NY
08.1998 - 02.2000
- Supervised college IT help desk and provided support and training to 2500+ college faculty, students, and staff
- Created, implemented, and staffed Residential Networking Support Office to assist students with LAN connections and hardware installations
Education
Master of Science - Information Technology And Management
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Utica University
Utica, NY 05.2001 -
Skills
OPERATING SYSTEMS: Windows, MacOS, LinuxWEB 20: HTML, CSS, Basic JavaScript, XMLCLOUD SERVICES: AWS (AMI, EC2, RDS, S3), Microsoft AzureRELATIONAL DATABASES: SQL queries for Oracle, MS SQL Server, MS Access, PostgreSQL, SnowflakeSPECIFICATIONS: LIT, QTI, SCORMPROGRAMMING: Visual Basic, Java, Linux, NET
APPLICATIONS: Salesforce, MS Office 365 Suite, PowerBI, BIRT reporting, Camtasia, Snagit, Video & Audio editing/production
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION: LMS Management, SIS data integration, Exchange Administration for Small Business, ServiceNowTimeline
Product Management Director – Technical Product Management
Anthology Inc. (formerly Blackboard Inc.)
05.2019 - 07.2023
Solutions Engineer – Providers
Blackboard Inc.
07.2011 - 05.2019
Senior Manager – Consulting
Blackboard Inc.
03.2007 - 07.2011
Senior Consultant – Training
Blackboard Inc.
04.2004 - 03.2007
Distance Learning Help Desk Manager & Full-Time IT Faculty
Guilford Technical Community College
01.2003 - 04.2004
Computer Support Analyst
Winston Salem State University
01.2002 - 08.2002
Master of Science - Information Technology And Management
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Utica University
05.2001 -
Director of Information Technology & Full-Time IT Faculty
Utica School of Commerce
12.1999 - 06.2001
Computer Support Specialist
Utica University
08.1998 - 02.2000