Mike Rathbun
Summary
Visionary procurement leader with extensive experience directing large-scale contract initiatives in the Technology industry. Proven success in strategic sourcing, category management, designing rigorous RFx processes, and leading effective Joint Application Design (JAD) sessions. Skilled in supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, financial modeling, and navigating complex regulatory environments. Adept at driving significant cost savings, maintaining service continuity, and leading high-performing cross-functional stakeholder teams in high-stakes, compliance-driven environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
DuraVault Capital
01.2023 - Current
- Founded and currently lead a veteran-owned private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing vital trade and government contracting businesses with mission-driven operational discipline.
- Create long-term investment strategies that honor brand legacies while driving scalable growth powered by data insights and advanced AI automation.
- Leverage federal certifications (SDVOSB, HUBZone) to expand market presence and contracting opportunities.
- Offer growth capital, operational expertise, and management transition services across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical sectors.
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with a focus on sustainable business development and legacy preservation.
Technology Business Partner
Southwest Airlines
04.2021 - 04.2025
- Constructed cost models and RFPs focused on Technology spend analysis and total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction.
- Established procurement analytics dashboards to monitor KPIs, contract performance, and supplier benchmarking.
- Collaborated with legal and compliance teams to integrate procurement with risk and regulatory frameworks.
- Managed governance programs ensuring 100% SLA adherence and KPI management via Balanced Scorecards.
- Led e-Procurement transformation initiatives, boosting process efficiency by 25%.
IT Global Commodity Manager
Applied Materials
10.2017 - 02.2021
- Oversaw $100M+ technology contracts as a strategic sourcing and category management leader.
- Directed supplier governance and performance improvements, delivering $19M+ cost savings and 30% contract compliance enhancement.
- Led SLA monitoring and supplier health reporting, improving operational efficiency by 25%.
- Coordinated global sourcing leveraging market research and analytics, achieving a 12% cost decrease and 15% performance boost.
- Managed RFx processes to lower risks and improve procurement outcomes.
Sr. Technology Operations Manager
PeopleScout
02.2016 - 10.2017
- Developed sourcing strategies that cut IT contract costs by 26% and strengthened vendor qualification and governance.
- Managed $160M supplier spend with ongoing governance, SLA monitoring, and supplier scorecard feedback.
- Spearheaded technology upgrades enhancing system reliability by 35% and lowering overhead by 20%.
- Led a 15-person team, delivering 98% system uptime and 30% faster incident response through automation.
IT Business Development Manager
Remx IT
12.2014 - 02.2016
- Secured $5M+ new contracts through focused client acquisition and market analytics.
- Grew client portfolio by 35%, producing $2M additional revenue via CRM-driven insights.
- Negotiated $3M in service contracts annually, expanding footprint by 25% across North America.
Technology Business Development Manager
Kelly IT Resources
02.2013 - 12.2014
- Negotiated high-value contracts, increasing revenue by 25% and strengthening market position.
- Managed Fortune 500 client relationships, boosting technology sales by 35%.
- Forged alliances increasing collaborative projects by 45% and revenue by 20%.
Senior Operations Manager, Vendor Management
Staff Management (Dell)
04.2012 - 02.2013
- Managed vendor compliance and obligations across a $500M portfolio, improving SLA compliance by 25% and cutting costs by 15%.
- Led vendor management redesign, shortening onboarding by 30% and saving $2M annually.
- Directed vendor risk management, reducing incidents by 40%, and enhanced procurement transparency via analytics.
Senior Procurement & Contracts Manager
US Air Force
03.2008 - 05.2012
- Managed risk and supplier evaluation for $1.3M IT and cybersecurity procurements.
- Ensured FAR/DFARS compliance through supplier audits and corrective actions.
- Developed contract management and performance tracking systems, reducing acquisition times by 25% and discrepancies by 18%.
- Built supplier programs improving performance metrics by 20%.
- Used data-driven sourcing to reduce acquisition times and optimize contract execution.
Education
Doctor of Business Administration - Information Management Systems & Services
Walden University
Master of Science - Industrial Distribution
Texas A&M University
Skills
- Strategic Sourcing
- RFP Development
- Contract Negotiation
- SLA Development
- Procurement Process Improvement
- Vendor Relationship Management
- JAD Facilitation
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Training
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Financial Modeling
- Cost Optimization
- Federal Funding & APD Support
Websites
Timeline
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
DuraVault Capital
01.2023 - Current
Technology Business Partner
Southwest Airlines
04.2021 - 04.2025
IT Global Commodity Manager
Applied Materials
10.2017 - 02.2021
Sr. Technology Operations Manager
PeopleScout
02.2016 - 10.2017
IT Business Development Manager
Remx IT
12.2014 - 02.2016
Technology Business Development Manager
Kelly IT Resources
02.2013 - 12.2014
Senior Operations Manager, Vendor Management
Staff Management (Dell)
04.2012 - 02.2013
Senior Procurement & Contracts Manager
US Air Force
03.2008 - 05.2012
Master of Science - Industrial Distribution
Texas A&M University
Doctor of Business Administration - Information Management Systems & Services
Walden University
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