ROBERT
M. ALSTON
214.770.1140
BobAlston9@yahoo.com
SUMMARY
Experienced
Information Technology Executive/CIO, having served in that role for billion
dollar companies over the past 18
years. Experience as CIO in wholesale distribution, specialty retail and
manufacturing. Ten years systems consulting experience with
Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Total of 30 years experience in
IT, a BA in Math, an MBA from The University of Michigan and was
elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Have directed a wide
variety of information system activities including systems planning,
integration of acquired companies, relocation and outsourcing of data
processing operations, strategic projects involving investments of over $50
million and internet strategy development/implementation. Experience directing worldwide IT in a multi-national company operating
in more than 50 countries worldwide. Experience running two different
computer software & services businesses.
CAREER
PROFILE
INDEPENDENT
CONSULTANT
2003
– PRESENT
Consulting services for
a variety of clients.
Extensive computer
assistance to various nonprofit agencies. Including
design and development of entirely new systems, fixing problems with existing
systems, enhancing existing systems and various kinds of troubleshooting.
Developed a custom
system to manage the operations at nonprofit food pantries. This
case management system tracks information about the clients serviced and
records each service provided. Extensive
reporting is included. As of June 2006,
it has been intalled in 15 nonprofits. You can obtain more information here:
http://webpages.charter.net/bobalston/nonprofit_food_pantry.htm
DOLLAR
RENT A CAR SYSTEMS INC – VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES/CIO
2000
– 2003
Directed the Information Technology
function for Dollar, a $750 million division of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
(NYSE: DTG).
Directed all IT functions at Dollar servicing reservations,
car rental and return operations, fleet management, internet reservations and
back-office systems. Directed
a staff of approximately 100 individuals supplemented by contractors and
consultants as needed.
Served on the Dollar Strategic Planning
Committee and has been a key player in Dollar’s acquisition due diligence team.
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Championed
the use of Data Warehouse (DW) technology at Dollar. Expanded the use of DW including additional
contents, balancing of all DW data and both the selection of and rollout of
new end-user software tools from Cognos and SAS. |
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Partnered
with Marketing and Dollar’s President to propose and implement significant
improvements in Internet capabilities and a very successful linkage with
Southwest Airlines which resulted in a new channel of reservations accounting
for approximately 10% of overall reservations volume after the first year. |
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Led
the initial systems integration of Dollar and Thrifty resulting in a very
successful, on-time conversion of Thrifty Corporately operated stores to the
car rental system utilized by Dollar.
This was done in approximately 120 days from being informed of the
goal. The Company Board of Directors
authorized cash awards to a number of key players who were responsible for
this significant success. |
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Revamped
the Dollar process for management review and approval of IT systems
development projects into one that was highly effective and continued upon
the integration of Dollar and Thrifty. |
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Led
the IT teams involved in planning the integration of Dollar’s |
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Championed
significant improvements in the systems development process including
improved lifecycle methodology, project progress monitoring and significantly
improved the interaction with and reporting to Customers throughout Dollar. |
AMWAY
CORPORATION – VICE PRESIDENT, WORLDWIDE INFORMATION SERVICES/CIO - 1996 – 2000
Directed the
Information Technology function worldwide for the largest multi-level marketing
company in the world. Direct responsibility for
Amway systems at our Corporate Headquarters including financials, HR,
marketing, purchasing, R&D, manufacturing and distribution. Previously also managed the systems for the
North American Sales & Distribution business, a $1+ billion sales
organization and the largest of the fifty countries in which Amway
operates. Responsible for the two
corporate data centers in the
Directed a staff of 300
- 400 employees and an additional 100 contractors. Also had indirect responsibility for 400+ worldwide Information
Technology personnel. Managed an annual operating budget of $80 million with indirect
responsibility for an additional $90 million.
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Directed
worldwide use of the internet.
Implemented internet ordering systems allowing over one-half of
Amway’s three million worldwide distributors to order products via the
internet. Developed and implemented
the Quixtar internet system for Amway North America, which “has quickly
become one of the largest online shopping destinations, logging more than
$100 million in sales in its first 100 days.” |
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One
of a small group of executives who worked on the initial stages of an overall
plan to change Amway’s worldwide operating structure from country to
regional/strategic business unit focus.
This plan is currently being implemented. |
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Directed
the worldwide preparations for the Year 2000.
Amway worldwide experienced only very minor problems. |
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Significantly
improved the quality of the core software custom developed by Amway’s
“captive software company” and used to run Amway’s business in over 50
countries around the world. |
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Changed
the process for approving and funding Information Technology projects
allowing such projects to compete for funds as done for all other company
major projects. |
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Directed the first successful systems
project involving two affiliates as joint partners -
North America and |
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Rebuilt the Information Technology
Division and instilled a culture of customer service. Achieved improvements in service levels and
overall satisfaction. |
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Improved
budget development and budget management within a culture that historically
has not managed costs effectively. This has included working with our customers to plan for their systems
projects/needs, Information Technology infrastructure planning, capital
budget, operating budget and budget management and control during the year. |
THORN
AMERICAS, INC. - VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/CIO -
Directed the information
systems activities for the largest rental-purchase company in
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Store
System Replacement Project - $53 Million System for 1400 Stores in |
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Supported
RAC2000 - A Year Long Test of New Store Operating Practices |
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Improved
MIS Customer Service Orientation |
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Improved
SBU Control of Data Processing Services |
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Turned
Around MIS at Remco Subsidiary |
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Acquired
Advanced Systems Development Tools |
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Implemented
Electronic Communications Improvements |
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Improved
Mainframe & LAN Reliability and Availability |
FOXMEYER
DRUG COMPANY - SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION SERVICES/CIO -
Directed all
Information Systems activities for this $3 Billion wholesale distributor of
pharmaceuticals and its subsidiaries. In addition,
provided outsourcing data processing services for Ben Franklin, a sister company
(sales of approximately $300 Million).
Directed FoxMeyer Data
Network Services, a computer service business providing services to independent
and chain pharmacies.
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Developed & Directed $65 Million Unisys to IBM
Conversion Strategy |
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Improved
Responsiveness of MIS to Customers |
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Strengthened
the MIS Organization |
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Implemented
Industry Leading EDI Capabilities |
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Systems
Design & Implementation Projects - Prescription Claims, Order Entry &
Invoicing, POS Support System |
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Installed
Automated Product Picking Facilities |
THE
STROH BREWERY COMPANY -
Director,
Information & Systems Services/CIO - 1984 - 1989
Directed all Information Systems
activities for this $1.3
Billion family owned beer manufacturer.
Responsibilities included both corporate systems and manufacturing
support systems for 7 breweries and aluminum can plants. Transformed data processing services from a
“problem area" into a successful, supportive business function.
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Implemented
Systems to Support Cooperative Brewing Contract with Pabst |
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Directed
Design & Implementation of a Wholesaler Communication Network |
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Increased
the Use of End-User Computing |
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Relocated
the Corporate |
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Established
Industry-wide Standards for Wholesaler PC Equipment |
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Personally
Developed a Prototype Executive Information System |
Director/Assistant
Director, Business
Information Systems - 1983 - 1984
Responsible for all
application system development and maintenance for Stroh, including both
corporate and manufacturing systems for seven breweries and six container
plants. Primary responsibility to consolidate the
systems and operating practices of two acquired brewing companies.
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Consolidated
Two Acquired Companies |
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Developed Graphics Based Annual Planning System |
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Implemented Systems Development Productivity Tools |
ARTHUR
ANDERSEN & COMPANY
-
Andersen
Consulting Division – now called Accenture
Senior
Manager - 1980 - 1983
Manager - 1977 - 1980
Senior
Consultant - 1974 - 1977
Intern/Part-Time - 1973 - 1974
Worked exclusively in
the IT consulting division. Conducted a variety of engagements
for over 25 clients primarily in manufacturing, distribution and public
utilities. Worked on assignments
involving all aspects of systems development and worked at all levels from
programming to systems planning. Managed all phases of the system development life cycle from
systems planning through design, programming and implementation. Utilized Method/1 Lifecycle Methodology on
most assignments and had exposure to SDM/70 as well.
Developed technical proficiency in IBM
mainframe environments and programmed in three assembler languages, COBOL,
PL/I, Fortran as well as CICS.
Developed functional
expertise in corporate financial planning models.
Held responsibility for the
Involved with the
M.B.A., The
B.A. in Mathematics,