Stephen Herland
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Dynamic IT leader with a proven track record of enhancing customer experience and driving 2x to 10x growth through strategic planning and SaaS implementations. Excelled in talent development and agile delivery, achieving over 25% savings in AWS deployments. Skilled in business intelligence and fostering innovative digital strategies. Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Fractional CIO
American Savings Life Insurance Co.
Mesa, USA
01.2024 - Current
- Developed IT Strategic Plan for 2x, 4x, and 10X growth goals
- Gap analysis of entire enterprise - identify key strategic opportunities
- Implemented Scaled Agile development and product management framework
- Budgeting and Resource Allocation plan
- Implementation Roadmap with timelines and related expense
Director of IT
RLI Insurance
Peoria, USA
01.2020 - 12.2023
- Managed a diverse 26-member team, overseeing product development roadmap and operational support for a $120M+ premium line of business annually
- Implemented AI/ML document processing & classification platform
- Oversaw the software development of customer portals, partner portals, and internal customer portals related to the Surety bond LOB
- Led the implementation of Adobe Experience Manager for the digital portals across the Surety Bond line of business
- Led the development of customer facing API layers and microservices
- Collaborated directly with top customers, gathered feedback, and directed the development of features for consumption by our end-customers
- Implemented payment processing upgrades and migration to enterprise payment processing platform
VP of Information Technology
Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Group
Dallas, USA
01.2017 - 12.2020
- Created IT infrastructure and enterprise platforms supporting $2.5B assets, 150 corporate staff, strategic partners, and 5000+ independent agents
- Optimized AWS deployments, resulting in monthly savings of over 25%
- Executed on-time, under-budget project management to adhere to project road map.
- Maintained communication between departments to ensure successful delivery of services.
- Established a comprehensive change management process for all IT projects.
- Developed, managed and implemented an IT strategy that aligned with the company's overall business objectives.
- Collaborated with vendors on contract negotiations, pricing structures and service levels agreements.
Director – Application Development
Preferred Homecare Solutions
Phoenix, USA
01.2016 - 12.2017
- Improved backlog and increased velocity of the team by 50%
- Spearheaded effort to revamp back-office logistics website; improve the tracking of packages, product inventory, and delivery of items
- Developed data warehouse reporting platform designed and delivered business unit reporting dashboards; provided analytic reports and custom reports
Director – Shared Services / DevOps
Health Services Advisory Group
Phoenix, USA
01.2013 - 12.2016
- Implemented DevOps framework for code deployment and testing
- Managed implementation of CMS platform for 8 government customer portals
- Led the migration of customer portals to user generated content and publishing; trained team on CMS best practices
Product Manager / Senior BA
Evogi
Scottsdale, USA
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Responsible for Private Label product development with Fortune 100 client
- Managed product development and coordinated with Software Development teams, Business Development team, and Executive Leadership teams
- Held daily agile meetings, ran scrum for multiple projects
- Implemented and tested NetSuite integration across enterprise
IT Manager – Application Development
Iridium Satellite
Tempe, USA
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Led the implementation of Oracle Billing and Provisioning platform; migrated legacy accounts, clients, and balances without any data discrepancies
- Responsible for 7M project budget, coordinated onshore and offshore teams
- Revamped MS Project server and project reporting dashboard for accurate project metrics and monitoring
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Capella University
MinnesotaSkills
- Strategic Planning
- Business Enablement
- SaaS
- Data Warehousing
- Business Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- DevOps
- Agile Delivery
- Talent Development
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Portals
- Customer Experience
Accomplishments
- Digital Transformation / IT Strategy & Vision, American Savings Life Insurance Co., Personally led the implementation of Scaled Agile within American Savings Life. Developed IT Strategy & Vision roadmap for a 2X, 4X and 10X growth over 5 years.
- Transformational Leadership, RLI Insurance, Successfully led an organizational transformation including strategic planning and innovative technology solutions, achieving business optimization and increased efficiency.
- Billing and Payment Processing, RLI Insurance, Led migration of legacy payment, billing, and policy account information onto enterprise billing platform; performed billing and payment accuracy testing and certification.
- Adobe Experience Manager, RLI Insurance, Spearheaded effort to get AEM implemented and integrated into customer facing and client facing websites; provided training to business units on how to incorporate tags within sites; developed initial reports for leadership review.
- Agile Adoption, Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Group, Implemented Agile methodologies and DevOps practices, fostering a successful cultural shift towards agility and efficiency.
- Site Redesign and Rebranding, Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Group, Implemented Agile methodologies and DevOps practices, fostering a successful cultural shift towards agility and efficiency.
- Content Management System migration and Rebranding, Health Services Advisory Group, Led the implementation and rollout of new CMS platform across all (8) government partner portals.
Timeline
Fractional CIO
American Savings Life Insurance Co.
01.2024 - Current
Director of IT
RLI Insurance
01.2020 - 12.2023
VP of Information Technology
Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Group
01.2017 - 12.2020
Director – Application Development
Preferred Homecare Solutions
01.2016 - 12.2017
Director – Shared Services / DevOps
Health Services Advisory Group
01.2013 - 12.2016
Product Manager / Senior BA
Evogi
01.2012 - 12.2013
IT Manager – Application Development
Iridium Satellite
01.2008 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Capella University