Experience

Fortium Partners

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fractional CIO - QM Quality Matters

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  Focused on bolstering collaboration between IT and business operations

• Partner

  • May 2014 - Present

  Fortium Partners is an IT turnaround and technology services firm providing world-class IT leadership to clients focused on finding solutions to complex technology issues or difficult-to-solve operational challenges. Fortium serves public and private companies across a variety of industries, placing expert project teams and operational leadership in technology-related roles, swiftly integrating with clients’ operations and providing leadership in the achievement of results. Fortium Partners have 25 or more years of technology experience, most recently in a senior leadership role.Chris Darrell is a Partner in Fortium’s Philadelphia office. With a 30+ year record of improving business results by increasing the effectiveness of Information Technology and Operations, Chris has demonstrated leadership driving transformative, strategic initiatives as the Information Services Executive of rapid growth companies in a variety of industries. In the course of his career, Chris has successfully integrated a number of acquisitions, launched new business operations, and introduced advanced technologies ahead of the curve. He has defined strategy and led business-transforming initiatives spanning technology infrastructure, information management & governance, and Operations/IT alignment. Chris’ experience spans enterprises from $25 million to over $1 billion with regional, national and global operations.Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning and Effective Execution, Process Improvement, Mergers & Acquisitions, Requirements Assessment and System Selection, Program ManagementIndustry Focus: Managed Healthcare, Software, Professional Services, Nonprofit, Legal, Retail, Higher EducationHeadquartered in Dallas, Texas, FORTIUM also operates offices in Orange County, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam

• Interim CIO - Drew University

  • Jan 2017 - Mar 2022

  Leading efforts to "do more with less" - strategy defined and efforts underway.



A Better Chance Strath Haven

• Swarthmore, PA

• Member of the Board of Directors

  • Jan 1996 - Present

  ABC Strath Haven is a local chapter (Swarthmore, PA) of the national A Better Chance organization Currently serving on the Board, focusing on managing and making the best use of our information assets, after having taken a turn at; * President - July 2007 to June 2010 * Development Chair - July 2010 to March 2012 * Treasurer - July 2011 to October 2013 It's the kind of organization which, if your heart's in it, you just do whatever is needed. ABC Strath Haven is a local chapter (Swarthmore, PA) of the national A Better Chance organization Currently serving on the Board, focusing on managing and making the best use of our information assets, after having taken a turn at; * President - July 2007 to June 2010 * Development Chair - July 2010 to March 2012 * Treasurer - July 2011 to October 2013 It's the kind of organization which, if your heart's in it, you just do whatever is needed.



IT at C-Level, LLC

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Principal

  • Jul 2012 - Jun 2014

  Business-driven IT Is your Information Technology supporting your business or is your business supporting IT? Is it providing competitive advantage? Is it in synch with your business strategy? I can help you answer those questions and refine your IT strategy to improve those answers. Utilizing my many years of managerial and C-level executive experience to deliver responsible and effective guidance and leadership to my clients. Business-driven IT Is your Information Technology supporting your business or is your business supporting IT? Is it providing competitive advantage? Is it in synch with your business strategy? I can help you answer those questions and refine your IT strategy to improve those answers. Utilizing my many years of managerial and C-level executive experience to deliver responsible and effective guidance and leadership to my clients.



Tatum by Randstad

• Business Consulting and Services
• 300 - 400 Employee

• CIO Engagement Partner

  • Oct 2012 - May 2014

  Tatum is a national professional services firm that partners with clients, delivering finance and technology expertise. The practice is a team of senior operating executives providing clients with hands-on strategic leadership. Tatum’s clients have access to the firm’s Partners and Principals located in offices nationwide. The technology practice consists of CIOs and IT consulting professionals with capabilities in a broad spectrum of strategic client needs including but not limited to Interim Technology Leadership, IT Assessments/Roadmaps, large-scale Program Management, ERP selection/implementation, and Business Intelligence.



The Wills Group

• United States
• Consumer Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Interim CIO - Tatum Engagement

  • Jan 2013 - Jul 2013

  Brought in to manage and improve day-to-day operations, but also to scrutinize ERP selection - requirements, chosen solution, implementation plan. Identified a number of significant gaps and worked with client and vendor to resolve. Ultimately, the project was forecast at twice the cost, but at least the client knew this prior to signing ... not 6 months down the line. Brought in to manage and improve day-to-day operations, but also to scrutinize ERP selection - requirements, chosen solution, implementation plan. Identified a number of significant gaps and worked with client and vendor to resolve. Ultimately, the project was forecast at twice the cost, but at least the client knew this prior to signing ... not 6 months down the line.



Genex Services

• United States
• Insurance
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President, Information Systems and Services

  • Dec 2001 - Jun 2012

  Oversaw the technical incorporation of seven corporate acquisitions, including an enormous event in 2010 - the purchase of Intracorp, a similar business 50% the size of GENEX. Directed the development and ongoing enhancement of various internal business-critical applications and customer-facing portals. Established formal business/IT governance structure, project management office and information security function. GENEX provides managed care services primarily in the workers' comp and disability markets and grew four-fold during my nearly 11 year tenure.



Bentley Systems

• Software Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President and CIO

  • Jul 1995 - Dec 2001

  Took the company from managing customer and licensing information using a rudimentary proprietary application to a global implementation of SAP and Siebel CRM. Customer information became an asset instead of just so much data. The business grew nearly three-fold while I was there. A substantial portion of that growth was achieved through six strategic acquisitions and the successful incorporation of those businesses into Bentley's operations and information systems. Took the company from managing customer and licensing information using a rudimentary proprietary application to a global implementation of SAP and Siebel CRM. Customer information became an asset instead of just so much data. The business grew nearly three-fold while I was there. A substantial portion of that growth was achieved through six strategic acquisitions and the successful incorporation of those businesses into Bentley's operations and information systems.



Cozen O'Connor

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Information Services

  • Oct 1990 - Jul 1995

  Implemented and supported new back-office time & billing application and utilized the information to meet the needs of the partnership for business analytics. Networked the nine offices around the country and provided seemless access to all document, voice and research systems. Established and managed a profitable litigation support office within the firm. Implemented and supported new back-office time & billing application and utilized the information to meet the needs of the partnership for business analytics. Networked the nine offices around the country and provided seemless access to all document, voice and research systems. Established and managed a profitable litigation support office within the firm.



Wolf Block

• Law Practice
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director, Information Services

  • Jun 1987 - Oct 1990

  Replaced end-of-life front-office systems with then-current alternative. Introduced personal computers as hands-on tools for attorneys. Introduced Windows as the standard O/S for all end user devices, replacing DOS. Established an in-house litigation support business unit and oversaw its profitable operation. Replaced end-of-life front-office systems with then-current alternative. Introduced personal computers as hands-on tools for attorneys. Introduced Windows as the standard O/S for all end user devices, replacing DOS. Established an in-house litigation support business unit and oversaw its profitable operation.



Ellucian

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Site Director, various customer engagements

  • Feb 1980 - Jun 1987

  Then operating as Systems and Computer Technology Corp (SCT). Subsequently acquired and operated as SunGard Higher Education. Now operatng as Ellucian. Directly responsible for the on-site delivery of technical services to a number of higher ed clients. Developed a reputation for taking on seriously challenging situations, including * severely degraded client relationships * time-critical recovery from a data center fire * multi-year failed project turnaround Then operating as Systems and Computer Technology Corp (SCT). Subsequently acquired and operated as SunGard Higher Education. Now operatng as Ellucian. Directly responsible for the on-site delivery of technical services to a number of higher ed clients. Developed a reputation for taking on seriously challenging situations, including * severely degraded client relationships * time-critical recovery from a data center fire * multi-year failed project turnaround