Donald Wheeler
Senior Vice President of IT
Skokie,IL
Summary
Corporate executive with robust experience in driving business transformations and operational improvements. Known for delivering strategic initiatives that foster growth and enhance profitability. Exceptional at fostering collaborative environments and adapting to dynamic business needs.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Information Technology (YWCA Metropolitan Chicago)
DivIHN Integration, Inc (Hybrid)
08.2022 - 08.2024
- Led all Information Technology functions & staff for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
- Formulated IT strategy and actionable goals to empower a 300+ social enterprise staff to perform essential services, work, & duties with a $2.5 MM IT budget.
- Collaborated with C-Suite Officers to build governance protocols including HIPAA, PCI, and PHI requirements and decision-making processes associated with business services.
- Launched strategic building and planning of a bona fide IT Department of six people, IT budget management, cybersecurity planning, performance management, problem management, and functional coordination goals.
- Implemented cybersecurity policies in the aftermath of a Fall 2021 data breach which cost the organization roughly $130K and developed appropriate governance frameworks and mechanisms for the creation of risk management guidelines.
- Developed an enterprise IT Software Management Portfolio and policy to ascertain the software required to support the dual mission of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
- Began an assessment of the impact of Artificial Intelligence on business and IT services and processes within the non-profit sector to improve services offered to women and families.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance organizational performance and operational efficiency.
Sr. IT Advisor
MetaOps, Inc (Remote)
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Advised and guided implementation of IT Compliance Frameworks (NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27005) and ERP projects for distribution, Private Equity, & Manufacturing operations.
Interim Director, IT Operations (via Robert Half Technology)
Amphenol Fiber Optic Products Lisle, IL
02.2019 - 08.2019
- Revamped cybersecurity operations with planned network maintenance, instituting monthly tests, and securing network firewalls via hardening to mitigate cybersecurity threats.
- Implemented a comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plan for the business’s primary USA locations to maintain operations in the event of adverse weather conditions.
- Developed modernization plans to replace an aging datacenter, upgrade a 20-year old Cisco VPN environment, and expand data capacity on Nutanix AHV/AOS platforms with a $1 MM budget.
- Supervised the launch of SharePoint 365 development and buildout resulting in joint partnerships & collaboration between the Operations, Engineering, and Marketing teams resulting in price sharing and cost reduction with clients.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure alignment on strategic objectives and priorities.
Sr. IT Consultant
Connect Search, LLC Chicago, IL
09.2018 - 02.2019
- Led a team of four to upgrade and build multiple Windows Domain controllers & servers for a Windows Server 2016 environment at Prairie State College within a VMware vSphere 6.0 virtual platform replacing outdated physical infrastructure.
- Conducted the migration and administration of Anixter International’s messaging system, Azure AD, cloud security, & email operations for over 10,300 users from Lotus Notes to Exchange 365 Online to eliminate outdated Lotus Notes servers and initiated maintenance cost reduction by hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
- Led IT infrastructure projects to enhance system performance and reliability.
Interim Director, IT Operations (via Robert Half Technology)
Amphenol Fiber Optic Products Lisle, IL
05.2017 - 09.2017
- Directed and aligned IT operations across the US, China, & Mexico during a leadership transition.
- Spearheaded testing and reviewing of all Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls, NIST-800, infrastructure, cybersecurity standards and executed IT internal audits on a quarterly basis to remain compliant with SOX requirements.
- Recommended enhancements in IT Governance to Senior Amphenol Executives in three nations to adhere and maintain IT Governance & Risk Management as required by the Amphenol World Headquarters in Connecticut.
- Led & defined the Macola ERP application & Nutanix AHV/AOS virtualized server strategies with the CFO and other Senior Executives by creating Network Operations requirements, defining user access management guidelines, and guiding the execution across the firm.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Acting Director of Information Technology (via Robert Half Technology)
Worldwide Material Handling Products Will County, IL
09.2016 - 03.2017
- Built an IT infrastructure framework to include the addition of missing skills and evaluation of a managed services provider that led to insourcing of some functions which were previously outsourced.
- Analyzed and refined all corporate technology strategies and assets through implementation and development for all employees for execution and production of a new direction for WMH IT.
- Planned and executed a strategic multi-year budget forecast ($1 MM over five years), multi-year infrastructure and compliance project objectives along with VAR reviews to identify vendors who will be consistent partners in creating and developing a procurement process for IT.
- Initiated strategic modernization plans to upgrade MS Dynamics CRM and NAV MS Dynamics ERP applications from older on-premise versions to a cloud version (365) to support the five-year sales forecast for business expansion from $36 million to $60 million for six locations in the US & Mexico.
- Led IT strategy development to align technology initiatives with business objectives.
- Mentored IT staff, fostering professional growth and enhancing team capabilities through training programs.
IT Infrastructure & GRC Compliance Director
TOMS King Services LLC Crystal Lake, IL
08.2014 - 04.2016
- Directed a staff of six in maintaining cybersecurity standards, disaster recovery processes and plans, and enhancing data centers to address business needs for 3200 employees at 107 restaurants in five states.
- Consolidated technology and telecom services for the entire firm resulting in $400K cost savings within one year for telecom. Committed some of those cost savings to investment in increasing broadband capacity at 37 BK Restaurants in Ohio and Illinois.
- Created Corporate and Restaurant IT Budgets, working with the CEO to determine the best usage of discretionary ($500K) dollars and multiple-year IT capital spending projects valued at $2 MM over a four-year span.
- Established PCI-DSS 3.0/3.1 standards for corporate users and restaurant IT technology systems for 107 Burger King Restaurants as part of IT Governance, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, & Compliance requirements for the TOMS King Services franchise.
- Completed a $64 MM integration of 48 acquired Mid-Atlantic Region restaurants’ IT systems into the TOMS King Services’ network infrastructure between May 2015 & February 2016.
- Planned & developed a complete Risk Assessment plan including the initial PCI and GRC certifications as the franchise achieved its ROC (Report of Compliance) for the 1st time. Some risk assessment guidelines for PCI and GRC are more detailed than HIPAA while other features have key common areas (credit/debit security, monthly/weekly vulnerability scans on networks, and remediation steps).
- Developed and implemented compliance programs aligned with regulatory standards.
IT Security Consultant
Randstad Technologies Chicago
04.2012 - 01.2013
- Conducted risk assessment analysis on external IP addresses & browser types at the behest of the IT Security Director as part of an action plan to enhance internal & external cybersecurity activity.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Skills
- IT strategy development
- Cybersecurity management
- IT budget management
- Risk assessment frameworks
- Governance frameworks
- Strategic leadership
- Process improvements
- Strategic planning
- Organizational improvement
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Senior Vice President, Information Technology (YWCA Metropolitan Chicago)
DivIHN Integration, Inc (Hybrid)
08.2022 - 08.2024
Sr. IT Advisor
MetaOps, Inc (Remote)
02.2022 - 06.2022
Interim Director, IT Operations (via Robert Half Technology)
Amphenol Fiber Optic Products Lisle, IL
02.2019 - 08.2019
Sr. IT Consultant
Connect Search, LLC Chicago, IL
09.2018 - 02.2019
Interim Director, IT Operations (via Robert Half Technology)
Amphenol Fiber Optic Products Lisle, IL
05.2017 - 09.2017
Acting Director of Information Technology (via Robert Half Technology)
Worldwide Material Handling Products Will County, IL
09.2016 - 03.2017
IT Infrastructure & GRC Compliance Director
TOMS King Services LLC Crystal Lake, IL
08.2014 - 04.2016
IT Security Consultant
Randstad Technologies Chicago
04.2012 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville