Steven D. Stern

Information Technology That Creates Value
STRATEGIC ■ BUSINESS DRIVEN ■ HANDS-ON

email: steve@sterndata.com
cell: +1-773-203-7491

SUMMARY

An Information Technology management professional with experience in association management, higher education, commercial education, and commercial real estate industries. Hands-on technical skills and record as an effective manager who builds cohesive and effective team environments. Builds a “part of us” relationship with all parts of the organization. Expertise is in Windows and open-source environments, with a wide variety of software and systems, including web portals, services and feeds, social networks, blogging platforms, and desktop systems. As a member of the senior management team, developed strategic plans and implemented measures of performance. Trained as a research scientist, brings a highly organized methodology to an ability to find creative opportunities and solutions.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Great Harvest Franchising, Inc., 2010-present

Chief Information Officer

As an independent contractor, provide services to Great Harvest Franchising, Inc. as Chief Information Officer. The CIO is charged with implementing and maintaining the IT Road Map, a strategic plan for Great Harvest's information technology.

CCIM Institute, 2004-2009

Chief Technology Officer

The CCIM Institute is an association of commercial real estate professionals. It grants the CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member) to members who have completed education and experiential requirements. Member benefits include access to a sophisticated set of technology tools. The CTO manages the day-to-day operations of the CCIM Institute’s infrastructure, software development, and technology and telecommunications infrastructure. I was responsible for developing and implementing a technology strategy to add services, improve support for members and support the Institute’s continued growth. In addition, as a senior manager of the Institute, I was part of the Board of Directors' Strategic Planning Committee.

• Created proactive customer service via Facebook and Twitter
• Led the gut and rebuild of the Institute's office space at 430 N. Michigan Avenue
• Developed a preference-based member to member email system (CCIM MailBridge)
• Introduced a standard LAMP stack for web services
• Redeveloped the Institute's website using Drupal
• Implemented an ecommerce platform for course registration and dues billing
• Improved Infrastructure and delivered a $30K annual reduction in hosting costs
• Replaced the telecommunications system, with reducing maintenance and conference call services costs
• Began the transition from TIMSS to Personify, a new association management system (AMS) 

STERN DATA SOLUTIONS, 2002-2004

Consulting and support for small offices. Hardware acquisition, software installation, security, network configuration, upgrades, etc. using Windows, Windows servers, and Linux. Experience working with insurance agencies supporting Applied Systems’ TAM and Apres Systems document manager. Website development using Apache, Linux, PHP, and MySQL for profit and non-profit organizations.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Booth School of Business, 1995-2002

Executive Director of Computing Services (CIO)

Computing Services develops and operates the GSB’s administrative systems and provides computing support, help desk and network services to students, faculty, and administrative staff. Responsible for strategic planning, communications with students, staff, and faculty. Also, management of application development, external data exchange, instructional technology and audiovisual systems, computer operations, and email. Staff of 32. Operations budget $2.7M. Capital budget over $750K.

• Conceived, developed, and deployed wireless networking for the 4 GSB campus buildings.
• Planned and implemented new mail and calendaring system for 28,000 users based on SunOne (Planet) software and Sun hardware with only a $125K budget.
• Developed the $5 million technology plan for the GSB’s new 425,000 sq. ft building, including networking, smart classrooms, conference rooms, and media center.
• Delivered customer focused, web-based systems for students, faculty, visitors and alumni, including a student/alumni directory, course registration, recruiting/career management systems, and program applications.
• Created an integrated UNIX and Windows NT server environment serving 2+ TB of storage and 50+ printers.
• Introduced and maintained standards for hardware and software to deliver reliable support and predictable end-user computing budgets.
• Deployed a portal-based intranet.

JMB REALTY CORPORATION, Chicago, IL 1979-1995

Vice President, Information Services, 1988-1995

The Information Services department was responsible for meeting the technology and information needs of all corporate departments and affiliated companies. Responsible for all technical services including system management on HP, Tandem, and UNIX systems, computer operations, network design, implementation, and technology planning.

• Researched and introduced new technologies such as integration of personal desktop computers with minicomputer applications.
• Developed, installed, and operated the first corporate local area networks in 1988.
• Negotiated acquisition and subsequent implementation of Xerox 8790 printing system, enabling production of tax forms and checks in restricted time window. Later, outsourced printing of tax forms for significant cost reductions.
• Introduced industry standard Sybase SQL client/server systems to support new development.
• Created corporate technology standards for desktop software and hardware.

Manager of Computer Services, 1981-1988

Responsible for systems management and operations as well as programming libraries and source-code management.

Technical Writer, 1979-1981

EDUCATION

Ph.D., M.S. Experimental Psychology Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

B.A., Mathematics and Psychology Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa

Negotiation and Strategy, Management Accounting Executive Education at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business

Introduction to Commercial Investment Real Estate Analysis, CI 101 - Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate, CI 102- Market Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate CCIM Institute

KEY TECHNOLGIES

PHP, Python, C, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Redhat Linux, CentOS Linux, Fedora Linux, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008, Exchange Server 2005/ 2007, Google Search Appliance, sendmail, Avaya IP Offfice, WordPress, Drupal, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, VMWare, Virtualbox, Atlassian Confluence, OS/X

My resume is here.

As a consultant, I've done some work as sort of a "fractional CTO" for some local businesses. 

I've also developed a few websites, including LVR Systems, a developer of machine vision inspection system.