Ken Collins
Salem,OR
Summary
Transformational executive with expertise in business transformation and technology implementation. Drives technology alignment with business strategy to enhance growth. Proven leader in platform modernization and IT operations management, focusing on AI, data analytics, and security. Excels in strategic planning and fostering team cohesion to achieve organizational objectives.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Information Officer
SAIF Corporation
Salem, OR
01.2015 - 11.2025
- Executive leader responsible for all facets of information technology including leading a 170-person team and a $85M+ budget.
- Develop and align initiatives to the enterprise strategic plan and drive critical innovations which directly increase business value and revenue.
- Developed core competencies in legacy system replacement, digital CX, and AI/predictive analytics to enhance operational capabilities.
- Shifted the organization from in-house custom-built software to vendor platforms, increasing capacity and accelerating solution delivery.
- Strategically renovated core business systems from a series of custom legacy applications to modern application platforms.
- Established Policy Billing and Claims core systems to enable future innovations and mitigate risks of outdated legacy systems.
- Implemented Workday solutions in Finance and HR. This consolidates disparate systems into a comprehensive, integrated platform, reducing cost and ongoing maintenance.
- Led a digital transformation initiative addressing changing customer expectations with a focus on the small business market.
- Built a dedicated cross-functional digital CX program.
- Delivered new direct-purchase acquisition channel targeting small and newly employing customers and generating new revenues of $1.2M per year.
- Evaluated and acquired analytic and artificial intelligence technologies from Insuretech companies and integrated into offering, ensuring accurate application and classification data.
- Renovated business intelligence function to inform decisions with AI, analytic insights and drive a data-driven culture.
- Created claims segmentation AI models which evaluate claims complexity and severity to assign claims to appropriate adjusters. System identifies at-risk claims early in the lifecycle, driving the appropriate interventions and reducing claims cost.
- Developed a program of Data Scientists to develop an AI chatbot leveraging decades of data into key claims insights improving outcomes and streamlining work.
- Established an enterprise data governance and advocacy program, enabling self-service business intelligence, improving decisions across the enterprise.
- Established a new information technology governance process to oversee work from prioritization through execution, engaging the executive team in meeting enterprise needs.
- Directed organizational redesign of application delivery and infrastructure to increase agility, align project teams with business units, and enhance employee development.
- SAIF is Oregon’s premier workers compensation carrier with $5.1B in assets, $549M in revenue and 54,000 policyholders.
Chief Technology Officer
SAIF Corporation
Salem, OR
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Directed long-range technology function of SAIF, aligning technology initiatives with business priorities.
- Directed the strategic design, acquisition, management, and implementation of an enterprise-wide technology infrastructure.
- Developed enterprise technology strategy aligning IT and business direction with emerging technologies, including roadmaps for cloud, mobile, user experience, and security.
- Created and implemented strategic technology solutions that enabled new business opportunities and streamlined operations.
- Set the direction and advocated for a long-term strategy using off-the-shelf software to reduce custom software development.
- Reduced risks from legacy software and enabled business innovation on modern technology platforms.
- Migrated email, disaster recovery, and other workloads to the cloud to reduce operating costs and improve flexibility.
- Implemented a corporate mobility initiative to increase flexibility in telecommuting and remote work. Increased productivity and employee engagement.
- Created a dedicated enterprise security team and function which resulted in increased security training, strengthened infrastructure, and improved operations. Dramatically reduced cyber-risk and security incidents.
Previous SAIF Positions
SAIF Corporation
Salem, OR
01.1989 - 01.2011
- Led technology change initiatives, managed teams, executed business strategies to align technology with organizational goals.
- Managed technology services to ensure optimal performance and alignment with business objectives.
- Architected technology solutions to meet client needs and enhance system functionality.
- Sr. Technology Consultant
- Network Services Supervisor/Project Lead
Education
Bachelor - Economics, Computer Science
Willamette University
Salem, ORInnovation and technology program -
Anderson School of Business
UCLASkills
- Digital transformation
- Business and IT alignment
- Core system renovation
- Analytics and business intelligence
- Governance and risk management
- Vendor management
- Process optimization
- Strategic planning
- Technology vision
- Talent development
- Effective communication
- Workers' compensation
Industry Presentations
- Portland Technology Summit – “Aligning IT with Business Strategy”
- CIO Portland – “Customer Experience, Analytics, and Cybersecurity”
- AASCIF 2017 – “Building an Effective Analytics Program”
- IASA National CFO Conference – "Analytics Maturity: Unlocking the Business Value”
- Portland CIO Forum – “AI, Machine Learning, and white-collar employment”
Boards And Associations
- Executive steering member for State of Washington Labor and Industry modernization efforts
- American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF) Technology Committee
- City of Salem, Revenue Task Force
Timeline
Chief Information Officer
SAIF Corporation
01.2015 - 11.2025
Chief Technology Officer
SAIF Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2015
Previous SAIF Positions
SAIF Corporation
01.1989 - 01.2011
Bachelor - Economics, Computer Science
Willamette University
Innovation and technology program -
Anderson School of Business