Gerald Helfrich
Cary,NC
Summary
Results-oriented professional with proven ability to drive project success and meet organizational objectives. Excelled in coordinating complex initiatives and fostering team collaboration to ensure timely delivery. Known for adaptability and commitment to achieving high-quality outcomes.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
IT Project / Program Manager
Cisco Systems
08.2011 - Current
- Fostered strong relationships with cross-functional teams to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
- Develop full-scale project plans and communications documents & plans and schedule project deliverables, goals, & milestones
- Facilitated change management initiatives by collaborating with stakeholders to understand business needs and aligning project objectives accordingly.
- Communicates information to project team, IT Management, Executive Staff, IT Partners, Clients and others that will consistently influence project strategy, objectives, project plans and other key decisions
- Led diverse teams of professionals, overseeing their work efforts and providing guidance to ensure successful completion of assigned tasks.
- Run complex projects from design and development to production
- Cultivated a culture of accountability within teams by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for meeting established goals / targets.
- Manages Business Improvement projects and Mission Critical new systems
- Managed multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, effectively balancing resources and ensuring consistent progress across all initiatives.
IT Professional / Team-lead
Progress Energy – Carolinas
08.2004 - 05.2011
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
- Collaborated with other department leads to streamline workflows, improve interdepartmental coordination, and achieve business goals collectively.
- Increased customer satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of projects and adherence to high-quality standards.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful project execution while maintaining strong collaboration among team members.
- Nominated for Pinnacle Award for team efforts on helping implement new billing system application which recognized my high performance, dedication and professionalism in helping meet project schedule and make the implementation successful
- Received five Energy Advantage Awards recognizing my efforts to provide great customer service in helping clients successfully implement and deploy their projects
Software Engineering / IT Operations Professional
Analysts International - Business Solutions
01.2003 - 07.2004
- Performed analytical, investigative, and supportive tasks to associate and integrate business and departmental functions into corporate enterprise information systems
- Led efforts in optimizing server environments through virtualization techniques, resulting in improved resource utilization and reduced energy consumption.
- Reduced troubleshooting time with comprehensive documentation of systems and procedures.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and implement company-wide technology solutions.
- Provided expert guidance in selecting appropriate technologies to meet business goals while adhering to budget limitations.
- Streamlined IT operations processes for enhanced efficiency and reduced downtime.
Electrical / Software Engineering professional
ABB Inc., Electricity Metering
02.1999 - 11.2002
- Company Overview: now known as Honeywell Elster
- Working on new Automated Meter Reading system development providing software and system integration, project and product usability management, and team leadership support within several different groups / positions
- Provided technical leadership and project management in analyzing and designing functional and usability enhancements to the user interfaces and operational reporting capabilities of the system based on customer business requirements
- Helped determine project objective to integrate new hardware support and new functionality (hardware and software integration) helping set priorities, and determine required resources
- Provided product functionality support for customers’ production metering reading systems
- This included providing remote and on-site technical & analytical support and expertise during and after system deployment to help identify, recommend and implement resolutions to customer issues and business needs
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new features.
Electrical Engineering / Process Professional
Commonwealth Edison
06.1988 - 01.1999
- Led consulting efforts to analyze corporate business processes, identify improvement areas, assess quality initiatives and recommend specific steps to improve operational and business results throughout all levels of the organization
- Interfaced with internal & external customers, including regulatory & governmental agencies, providing project & status information & updates
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Led team to design and build electrical distribution facilities for new 26 story office building in Itasca, Illinois and regional Airport expansion which included facilities for a new terminal building & runway addition DuPage County municipal airport outside Chicago
Education
MBA - Quality and Process Improvement, Production Management & Statistics
The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business
Chicago, IL 10.1990 - 08.1995
BSEE - Electric Power Systems
The University of Illinois – UIUC
Urbana/Champaign, IL 09.1984 - 06.1988
Skills
Software development life cycle
Activities
- State of Illinois Quality Award Examiner
- Founding member of the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business’s Quality Alumni Club
- Member of Northern Illinois (W. Edwards) Deming Study Group at the College of Dupage (COD)
- Board of Directors Member for New Life Ministries
Certification
Certified Product Owner (CPO) - Scrum Alliance.
Timeline
Certified Product Owner (CPO) - Scrum Alliance.
04-2027
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - Scrum Alliance.
04-2027
IT Project / Program Manager
Cisco Systems
08.2011 - Current
IT Professional / Team-lead
Progress Energy – Carolinas
08.2004 - 05.2011
Software Engineering / IT Operations Professional
Analysts International - Business Solutions
01.2003 - 07.2004
Electrical / Software Engineering professional
ABB Inc., Electricity Metering
02.1999 - 11.2002
MBA - Quality and Process Improvement, Production Management & Statistics
The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business
10.1990 - 08.1995
Electrical Engineering / Process Professional
Commonwealth Edison
06.1988 - 01.1999
BSEE - Electric Power Systems
The University of Illinois – UIUC
09.1984 - 06.1988
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