Experience

Salsa Queen

• United States
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area • Transitioned from Direct Store Delivery (DSD) to Distribution • Integrated technology platforms (EDI, ERP, CRM, and Program Management) for improved efficiencies • Grew Store presence from 100 to 1500+ across 30 states • Developed and launched industry's first (at scale) freeze-dried salsa line into 700 stores, including Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's • Voted 'Best Made-In-Utah Food Product' by 160k+ participants; Selected as one of the Top 50 Consumer Brands in Utah… Show more • Transitioned from Direct Store Delivery (DSD) to Distribution • Integrated technology platforms (EDI, ERP, CRM, and Program Management) for improved efficiencies • Grew Store presence from 100 to 1500+ across 30 states • Developed and launched industry's first (at scale) freeze-dried salsa line into 700 stores, including Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's • Voted 'Best Made-In-Utah Food Product' by 160k+ participants; Selected as one of the Top 50 Consumer Brands in Utah (2022) • Secured multi-region rollout with Costco • Managed SQF v9 Certification and scored 97 (out of 100) on initial audit

• Advisor

  • May 2014 - Jan 2020

  Greater Salt Lake City Area Salsa Queen started in 2014 at local farmers markets and is now the largest producer of fresh, gourmet salsas in Utah. • Created brand and protected through securing trademark registration • Developed online presence and sales through social media, digital advertising and promotions • Secured and negotiated key hires in management positions • Realized a 2000% growth rate over 5 years



Zions Bancorporation

• United States
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• VP/Release Engineering Manager

  • Oct 2019 - Jan 2020

  Greater Salt Lake City Area • Managed 17 engineers in migrating 500+ applications over to Agile/DevOps • Led management strategies for automating builds and workflows • Created solutions incorporating next gen technologies for Docker and Kubernetes • Architected end-to-end solution involving code management, deploy, QA validation and performance monitoring resulting faster and higher quality DevOps environment

• VP/Application Optimization Manager

  • Nov 2018 - Oct 2019

  Greater Salt Lake City Area • Pioneered Center of Excellence using next gen APM tools across 40+ Bancorp applications • Increased system performance and reliability by reducing P1 incidents YOY 100% on a commercial lending application • Delivered group goals of 50% reduction in P1/P2 incidents, 30% increase in system performance and 50% reduction in MTTR within 12 months • Recognized for accomplishments as recipient of '2019 Momentum Award'

• VP/System Management and DevOps

  • Mar 2015 - Nov 2018

  Greater Salt Lake City Area • Managed DevOps for mission-critical commercial lending application responsible for 85% of company’s profits • Evaluated, selected and implemented next generation APM tool (AppDynamics) to improve user experience, reduce development lead-time, increase loan turnaround • Led resolution of Production P1/P2 issues while maintaining 99.99% system up-time • Initiated performance improvement effort, which resulted in +75% system gain

• Development Team Lead

  • Jan 2014 - Mar 2015

  Greater Salt Lake City Area • Directed 20+ internal developers and contractors across 4 US locations and India • Reduced defect (JIRA) resolution time 75% within 10 months • Developed ~40 Business Intelligence reports which were used at the Executive level • Transitioned from waterfall to devops while managing code migrations involving 15 environments



Self Employed

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Business Analyst

  • Nov 2006 - Jan 2014

  Spokane, Washington Area • Researched and identified market opportunities for digital/social media apps • Filed 10 patents as a result of innovative solutions for digital and social media projects • Initiated and negotiated $100M+ in patent purchases from external sources • Prepared business process flows, requirements gathering, and use case materials • Experienced with data modeling and detailed functional design • Established C-Level relationships with market leaders in TV-based targeted advertising… Show more • Researched and identified market opportunities for digital/social media apps • Filed 10 patents as a result of innovative solutions for digital and social media projects • Initiated and negotiated $100M+ in patent purchases from external sources • Prepared business process flows, requirements gathering, and use case materials • Experienced with data modeling and detailed functional design • Established C-Level relationships with market leaders in TV-based targeted advertising, data collection, and content streaming Show less



Technology, Patents & Licensing

• VP Business Development

  • Aug 2002 - Nov 2006

  • Solved a $1B licensing issue for a Global 50 tech company under extreme pressure and time constraints • Negotiated $200MM worth of patent acquisitions on behalf of clients • Managed 800+ technology companies in assessing and acquiring Intellectual Property • Launched industry’s first proactive patent purchasing program and created the training plan as low-cost Wharton summer interns were used in this innovative project • Led all client-based interactions, presentations, and… Show more • Solved a $1B licensing issue for a Global 50 tech company under extreme pressure and time constraints • Negotiated $200MM worth of patent acquisitions on behalf of clients • Managed 800+ technology companies in assessing and acquiring Intellectual Property • Launched industry’s first proactive patent purchasing program and created the training plan as low-cost Wharton summer interns were used in this innovative project • Led all client-based interactions, presentations, and visits, including international Show less



Sarnoff Corporation

• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Business Development

  • Jan 1998 - Nov 2001

  • Performed market research for multiple technologies (e.g., digital media, display, LED, wireless, MPEG, MEMS, and gigabit) in directing Global 250 licensing and tech transfer • Analyzed internal technologies to optimize for licensing or venture spinout • Positioned technical capabilities for government contracts, primarily with DARPA, DOD, NIH, and DOE • Directed marketing activities of 30+ highly trained scientists and skilled technical professionals • Interviewed for New York… Show more • Performed market research for multiple technologies (e.g., digital media, display, LED, wireless, MPEG, MEMS, and gigabit) in directing Global 250 licensing and tech transfer • Analyzed internal technologies to optimize for licensing or venture spinout • Positioned technical capabilities for government contracts, primarily with DARPA, DOD, NIH, and DOE • Directed marketing activities of 30+ highly trained scientists and skilled technical professionals • Interviewed for New York Times article on futuristic high resolution displays Show less



PixelVision

• Belgium
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Global Business Manager

  • May 1995 - Oct 1997

  • Initiated and expanded OEM and branded channels in more than 20 countries • Developed and implemented channel partner training, incentive program, and marketing support • Created a Product roadmap to complement Channel Strategy • Within two years, increased international portion of monthly sales to ~50% • As an unknown brand, was able to beat out IBM for the first European dealing room to use flat panel monitors exclusively • Selected as Massachusetts’ SBA Finalist for… Show more • Initiated and expanded OEM and branded channels in more than 20 countries • Developed and implemented channel partner training, incentive program, and marketing support • Created a Product roadmap to complement Channel Strategy • Within two years, increased international portion of monthly sales to ~50% • As an unknown brand, was able to beat out IBM for the first European dealing room to use flat panel monitors exclusively • Selected as Massachusetts’ SBA Finalist for "Exporter of the Year" Show less



KeyTronicEMS

• China
• Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• International Business Manager

  • May 1992 - May 1995

  • Increased Pacific Rim annual sales 210% to over $7 million within 2 years • Developed product management system that increased profits $2MM, reduced lead-times 20% and lowered inventory exposure 55% • Analyzed currency hedging as a way to grow international business, primarily with large, OEM clients • Selected as a “Vendor of the Year” by leading European OEM; award presented by their CEO at annual event in the UK • Evaluated new manufacturing site in Shenzhen and penetration of… Show more • Increased Pacific Rim annual sales 210% to over $7 million within 2 years • Developed product management system that increased profits $2MM, reduced lead-times 20% and lowered inventory exposure 55% • Analyzed currency hedging as a way to grow international business, primarily with large, OEM clients • Selected as a “Vendor of the Year” by leading European OEM; award presented by their CEO at annual event in the UK • Evaluated new manufacturing site in Shenzhen and penetration of Chinese market • Directed contract manufacturer in Thailand which included negotiating available markets, transfer pricing, and royalty rates • Managed international sales team consisting of direct employees and manufacturer’s reps throughout Europe and Asia Show less



Fidelity Investments

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Brokerage Representative

  • Jan 1987 - Aug 1990

  • Earned Series 6, 7, and 63 financial licenses • Worked full-time while attending undergraduate school full-time • Initiated statistical review of QA program, recommendations adopted in company-wide program • Oversaw daily distribution of mutual fund performance