Professional Profile - Stephen R. Flach

Innovative, visionary Technology Executive with 15+ years of hands-on, global information technology leadership with startups and Fortune 500 companies.

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PROFILE

Highly accomplished, results-driven IT Leader and Engineer with proven success in facilitating corporate growth through effective leadership of information technology operations, management and projects. Special expertise in establishing and directing programs in startup environments, rebuilding existing IT departments for Startups and Fortune 500 companies, and optimizing business processes. Adept at managing programs and projects in areas such as virtualization, network technologies, infrastructure, software implementation, and best practices. Experienced at building complete IT infrastructures from scratch, staffing IT departments, implementing support programs, and reducing technology expenses. Excellent problem solving, research, and motivation skills.

Areas of Expertise  

IT Management · Strategic Planning · Program/Project Management · Infrastructure Build & Management
Networking · Technical Support · Application Development · Startup Operations · Change Management
Virtualization · Telecom · Storage Management · Team Building · Leadership
Turnarounds · ERP & MES Implementation · Software & Systems Integration
Global Infrastructure · Network Security · Disaster Recovery · Business Continuity · Budgeting
Cost Control · Process Re-engineering · Outsourcing · Negotiations · Web-based Systems · Training

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  

IT CONSULTING, Menlo Park, California · 2009-Present

Principal Consultant

Network Infrastructure Improvement, Virtualization, Backup systems and DRP implementation.
Oracle applications troubleshooting and administration. Business process improvement.

 

NANOSYS, Palo Alto, California · 2004-2009

Director of Information Technology

Recruited to re-engineer IT structure for nanotechnology startup and help prepare company for IPO. Carried out in-depth evaluations of business process, telecom, desktop support, networking, data security, and web site design. Hired and supervised Oracle, telecom, data security, and network security consultants.

Accomplishments:

• Developed and implemented critical improvements to server, network, and data security systems.
• Lead cross-functional team to select and implement Oracle 11i E-Business Suite to insure SOX compliance prior to IPO.
• Lead team to implement Oracle manufacturing and supply chain planning to existing financials system.
• Improved product development by implementing data collection and process control systems.
• Instituted disaster recovery, business continuity and trade secret protection policies.
• Reduced expenses by outsourcing IT, telecom, desktop support, and network support functions.
• Improved cash flow management by identifying ways to reduce technology costs.
• Consolidated server operations using VMware, reducing server support costs.

 

CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, Mountain View, California · 2000-2004

Chief Information Officer & Senior Director of Information Technology

Oversaw desktop support, network management, Epicor ERP and Agile PLM systems, databases, telecom, video conferencing, remote site support, sales systems, manufacturing systems, R&D systems, and disaster recovery for microfluidic chip developer. Supervised staff of 7. Administered budgets. Monitored help desk operations and served as final escalation point. Identified areas for improvement in areas such as software development, chip manufacturing, and business processes.

Accomplishments:

• Achieved major productivity increase by rebuilding entire IT team, infrastructure, and security.
• Reduced telecom costs 30% by renegotiating contracts with service providers.

• Increased chip yield 20% by implementing Camstar MES to track production from raw material receipt to finished goods.
• Improved inventory and cost control by integrating ERP system with Agilent manufacturing in Germany.
• Spearheaded improvements in project accounting by implementing Kronos time keeping system and integrating with internal ERP system.
• Planned and directed successful technology infrastructure integrations, moves, and separations to support corporate acquisitions and spin-offs.

ACTEL CORPORATION, Mountain View, California · 1996-2000

Director of Information Technology

Managed all IT, engineering, LAN/WAN, and telecom operations and infrastructures for $150M semiconductor and software design company. Supervised staff of 8, plus 2 consultants. Supported multiple business and manufacturing sites in US, England, Europe, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Accomplishments:

• Carried out extensive infrastructure upgrade, including LAN/WAN, disaster recovery, and email.
• Improved sales forecasting by implementing OLAP data warehouse to track sales forecasts, bookings, billings, and backlog.
• Enhanced web site access by implementing T3 internet connection with BGP4 for redundancy.
• Achieved $200K in annual savings by migrating from ISDN to Frame Relay and VPN globally.
• Dramatically reduced costs by outsourcing PC and UNIX support and procurement.
• Improved efficiency by introducing standard configurations for PCs and UNIX desktops.
• Directed IT integration following Actel’s acquisition of 2 chip design companies.
• Reduced chip design and software development times by implementing EMC Symetrix and storage networking to enable code and tool sharing across Solaris, HP-UX, Windows, and AIX.
• Increased productivity by upgrading JD Edwards ERP and MESA MES system.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

APPLIED MATERIALS, Santa Clara, California · 1995-1996
Senior Manager, Etch Division Information Systems & Technology (1995-1996)
Planning Manager, Global PC & Office Automation (1995)
Managed desktop support team for SAP implementation for Order Fulfillment and Field Service.

AFFYMAX RESEARCH INSTITUTE,Palo Alto, California · 1992-1995
Manager, Computing Systems & Services
Lead implementation team for Oracle Financials 7 installation.

MONSANTO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, St. Louis, Missouri
Project Manager, Plant Growth Facility Automation Project
Designed data collection system and lead implementation team to automate $120M plant research facility.

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering , Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering , Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Extensive training in Negotiations, Management, Quality, Business Process Engineering

TECHNICAL SKILLS  

PCs, workstations, laptops, servers, NAS, SAN, UPS, EMC Symetrix, Oracle E-Business, MS Office, VMware, SQL Server, WordPress, MediaWiki, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, PHP, SQL, HTML, Perl, Pascal, Windows, Windows Server, Microsoft Exchange, Linux, UNIX