Mark Bland
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Strategic Senior Information Technology Executive with over two decades of creative and transformative global leadership.
Skillfully spearheaded strategic IT initiatives and robust cybersecurity frameworks across multiple continents in complex global environments,
significantly enhancing operational efficiencies and compliance. Expert in deploying cutting-edge technologies and
innovative strategies to foster business transformation and sustainable growth.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Seaboard Overseas Group
07.2016 - 02.2023
- Provided strategic IT leadership and guidance to 20 affiliate companies in 26 countries, including Africa, South America, and Caribbean, leading 30+ functional reports worldwide and working closely with project steering committees to ensure effective project management
- Drove daily IT operations and initiatives including strategy road mapping, cybersecurity and corporate compliance, ERP (Enterprise Resource Management), IT contract review and negotiation, merger and acquisition due diligence, and process improvement
- Constructed and executed merger & acquisition (M&A) onboarding strategy, including due diligence, vetting, and post-merger integration
- Technology group restructure Developed global organizational structure plan strengthening IT security, regional IT support services & the overall support structure for ongoing project implementations
- Spearheaded global IT strategy and operations by developing and implementing roadmaps, creating IT governance framework with policies and procedures, orchestrating IT group restructure, championing milling operational data warehouse/analytics project supporting move to data-driven decision (DDD) making, and remotely deploying Microsoft Teams during pandemic
- Leveraged analytics tools to drive informed decision-making across all levels of the organization
- Cut infrastructure operating costs to less than half with cloud initiative, moving all servers to cloud and utilizing AWS cloud backbone worldwide for more secure environment and ease of access
- Created culture of continuous improvement within IT department by implementing regular reviews and feedback sessions.
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Seaboard Overseas Group
07.2002 - 07.2016
- Collaborated closely with department heads to align technological resources with business needs
- Developed and implemented worldwide IT strategy for corporate, regional, and subsidiary locations worldwide setting Information Technology Policies & Procedures for worldwide affiliates
- Successfully implemented several major projects including design, project management, and implementation for infrastructure, ERP, and network management software tools
- Headed IT teams in US and 18 countries deploying initiatives including PeopleSoft Finance, MS Dynamics, Business Central (Navision) ERP, and Commodity Trading Risk Management (CTRM Commodity Trading & Risk Management) platform
- Key member of ERP Implementation Steering Committee and liaison between Steering Committee and executive management for all large IT projects
- Built cohesive team of information systems professionals through effective recruitment, training, and leadership
- Spearheaded technology innovation efforts by keeping abreast of emerging trends in industry
- Coordinated with vendors to negotiate contracts, ensuring cost-effective solutions for organization''s needs
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
Seaboard Overseas Group
11.1998 - 07.2002
- Developed regionalized approach to managing worldwide Information technology management.
- Established technology based solutions for worldwide communications including VOIP and VPN cost cutting solutions.
- Led global ERP operational analysis and selection program and implementations for 12 wholly owned and 8 minority managed affiliates
- Conducted regular system audits to ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
- Spearheaded migration of legacy systems to modern platforms, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
- Designed efficient workflows for seamless financial information exchange for affiliate companies.
- Oversaw vendor selection processes, ensuring alignment with company objectives and cost-effectiveness in procurement decisions.
- Established proactive disaster recovery plans and procedures
Education
Master of Business Administration - International Business
American Graduate School of International Management
Glendale, AZBachelor of Science - Information Systems And Sciences
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MONo Degree - Spanish Language And Literature
Universidad Verecruzana
Jalapa, MexicoSkills
- Strategic Planning
- IT Governance
- IT Compliance
- Cybersecurity Expertise
- IT risk management
- Information Security
- Enterprise Architecture
- Data Management
- Business Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- User Support
- Project Management
- Project Leadership
Accomplishments
CONTRIBUTIONS SNAPSHOT:
- Hired by division CEO to organize and manage highly decentralized management structure with affiliate companies, based on strong IT, operations, and global background. Built and grew viable large-scale, global IT operation using out-of-the-box thinking to achieve successful results over 24 years
Strategic IT Leadership
- Effective global collaborative Strategic Information Technology Leadership
- Uniquely creative and successful approach to technology management
- 24-year core management team member growing division revenue from $340M to $6.5B
Business and Technology Process Improvement
- Implemented multiple global technical automation initiatives, including full automation of five companies over three years in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean
- IT group restructure – Developed global organizational structure plan strengthening IT security, regional IT support services & the overall support structure for ongoing project implementations
Additional Information
I am a lifelong guitarist and musician with emphasis on Spanish flamenco guitar. I am a music producer and will finish my certifications in mixing, mastering and production in June 2024. I have professional experience tracking, mixing and mastering for local classical ensembles and have several projects that will be released this summer. I can readily produce radio ready industry standard music in any genre.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Full Professional
French
Limited Working
Italian
Elementary
Timeline
VICE PRESIDENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Seaboard Overseas Group
07.2016 - 02.2023
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Seaboard Overseas Group
07.2002 - 07.2016
INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
Seaboard Overseas Group
11.1998 - 07.2002
Master of Business Administration - International Business
American Graduate School of International Management
Bachelor of Science - Information Systems And Sciences
Rockhurst University
No Degree - Spanish Language And Literature
Universidad Verecruzana
Similar Profiles
Brian ChibaleBrian Chibale
Regional IT Manager - Africa at Seaboard Overseas & Trading GroupRegional IT Manager - Africa at Seaboard Overseas & Trading Group
HENRY DUONGHENRY DUONG
Global Information Security Manager at Seaboard Overseas & Trading GroupGlobal Information Security Manager at Seaboard Overseas & Trading Group
Ibrahim AIT SALEMIbrahim AIT SALEM
Senior Grains Trader at GRADERCO -ZALAR Group (Mitsui-Seaboard-Private funds)Senior Grains Trader at GRADERCO -ZALAR Group (Mitsui-Seaboard-Private funds)