Vlad Collak

I'm a technology leader and entrepreneur with more than 28 years of experience. During my career, I largely focused on leading technology teams and businesses that drive innovation and growth.

In his most recent role, my chief responsibility was to lead the Innovation & Web Services Engineering team at PDI Technologies. My team created a Platform that enables PDI to integrate its vast portfolio of solutions and remove data silos. Our innovations, data lake, and big data solutions power various PDI products from order ahead and delivery to cashier-less checkout, electronic shelf labels, tobacco scan data, analytics, and others.

My team also focused on emerging technologies from creating AI based chatbots for Logistics, to building a crypto wallet used for engagement and loyalty. I also led several innovation and technology programs from creating PDI’s own Hackathon - SparkHack, to launching the AI Community of Practice that drives the adoption of AI and creation of an innovation framework to incubate new solutions. In addition, I launched the Innovation Forum designed to enable PDI to co-innovate with our customers. Lastly, I was a regular speaker at various company and customer events focusing innovation, data platform, and AI.

Prior to PDI, Vlad was a co-founder and CEO of a Houston based innovation lab called Ceremity where we built software innovations for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 to startups. In that role, he built the company from ground up to ultimately leading a global team with customers ranging from ExxonMobil to GE, Honda, Aspentech, PDI Technologies and others. In 2016, Ceremity won the HBJ Fast 100 at #43. In 2017, we won the HBJ Fast 100 taking the #3 spot. In 2018, we reached #2731 on Inc. 5000. Ceremity was acquired by PDI Technologies in 2018.

Achieved below technical certifications:

• Cisco CCNP
• Cisco CCNA
• Microsoft MCSE+I
• Microsoft MCSE
• Microsoft MCT
• HP OpenView Certified Consultant
• Sun Solaris Certified Admin

• Ceremity to become an innovation lab for some of the most respected brands including GE, Exxon, BP, Honda, and others.
• Ceremity gained HBJ Fast 100 at #43 in 2016, #3 in 2017 and Inc. 5000 at #2731 in 2018
• University of Texas at Tyler - Beta Gamma Sigma national business honor society - 2010
• FuelQuest – The Wizard Award – 2005
• Cisco – Featured in a Cisco whitepaper discussing e-commerce solutions driven by Cisco network and VOIP solutions. – 2003
• Microsoft – Presenter at Microsoft CTEP (Corporate Technical Education Program) seminars discussing various Windows 2000 technologies including Active Directory, DNS, RIS, and others. – 1999
• Xerox – Xerox Connect Recognition of outstanding performance from the president and CEO Tim Wallace – 1999
• Xerox – Xerox Connect Recognition of outstanding performance from the president and CEO Tim Wallace – 1998
• Del Mar College – Dean’s List – Spring and Fall 1994, Spring and Fall 1995
• National Dean’s List Nomination 1994-1995

• Member ot Entrepreneurs' Organization (2017 - 2022)
• Member of Forbes Technology Council (2017 – 2019)
• Author of many business and technology articles including "Creating a corporate AI policy using generative AI", "How to get everyone on the team focused", "The rise of the machines and the fourth industrial revolution", "You’re running a technology company"