Karen Ward
Chief Information Officer at GracoRoberts- Claim this Profile
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Bio
James Ham
I had the pleasure of working with Karen at DynCorp International. Karen was a consummate professional, an amazing role model and personal mentor who inspired me to be the best that I could be every day and gave me confidence to take on the most challenging stretch assignments. Karen has such command and respect of her organization and knows the status of every project and initiative going on within it. She's able to communicate this so clearly the the business functions and through integration workshops that everyone knows the plan, the status and the next key steps to success. Thank you Karen for everything you did for me and for being such an inspirational leader! James Ham Director of Program Management at L3Harris Technologies
Jason Wiseman (PMP, SMC)
While working at DynCorp International, names of certain people out in the field would float across the corporate landscape; names of people making an impact and significant contributions not only to the company as a whole but to individuals under their stead. Karen Ward's reputation was known to me well before before I had the privilege of working for her. Once she had made her way to the corporate offices, the actuality of Karen far exceeded the reputation. As an IT leader, Karen brought a stability and calmness to the chaos of the role, providing a pragmatic vision for an organization in what seemed like constant flux. In addition, she brought a level of compassion and empathy that I have rarely seen matched. To say that Karen truly cared about the lives of her employees would be an understatement. Those that have worked for her for any amount of time would go into any battle for her as they know, without doubt, that they have her support. Karen excels at bringing a humanity to a division (IT) of most corporations where is mostly an afterthought while never losing focus of the goals of IT or the company as a whole. That balance is rare and valuable.
James Ham
I had the pleasure of working with Karen at DynCorp International. Karen was a consummate professional, an amazing role model and personal mentor who inspired me to be the best that I could be every day and gave me confidence to take on the most challenging stretch assignments. Karen has such command and respect of her organization and knows the status of every project and initiative going on within it. She's able to communicate this so clearly the the business functions and through integration workshops that everyone knows the plan, the status and the next key steps to success. Thank you Karen for everything you did for me and for being such an inspirational leader! James Ham Director of Program Management at L3Harris Technologies
Jason Wiseman (PMP, SMC)
While working at DynCorp International, names of certain people out in the field would float across the corporate landscape; names of people making an impact and significant contributions not only to the company as a whole but to individuals under their stead. Karen Ward's reputation was known to me well before before I had the privilege of working for her. Once she had made her way to the corporate offices, the actuality of Karen far exceeded the reputation. As an IT leader, Karen brought a stability and calmness to the chaos of the role, providing a pragmatic vision for an organization in what seemed like constant flux. In addition, she brought a level of compassion and empathy that I have rarely seen matched. To say that Karen truly cared about the lives of her employees would be an understatement. Those that have worked for her for any amount of time would go into any battle for her as they know, without doubt, that they have her support. Karen excels at bringing a humanity to a division (IT) of most corporations where is mostly an afterthought while never losing focus of the goals of IT or the company as a whole. That balance is rare and valuable.
James Ham
I had the pleasure of working with Karen at DynCorp International. Karen was a consummate professional, an amazing role model and personal mentor who inspired me to be the best that I could be every day and gave me confidence to take on the most challenging stretch assignments. Karen has such command and respect of her organization and knows the status of every project and initiative going on within it. She's able to communicate this so clearly the the business functions and through integration workshops that everyone knows the plan, the status and the next key steps to success. Thank you Karen for everything you did for me and for being such an inspirational leader! James Ham Director of Program Management at L3Harris Technologies
Jason Wiseman (PMP, SMC)
While working at DynCorp International, names of certain people out in the field would float across the corporate landscape; names of people making an impact and significant contributions not only to the company as a whole but to individuals under their stead. Karen Ward's reputation was known to me well before before I had the privilege of working for her. Once she had made her way to the corporate offices, the actuality of Karen far exceeded the reputation. As an IT leader, Karen brought a stability and calmness to the chaos of the role, providing a pragmatic vision for an organization in what seemed like constant flux. In addition, she brought a level of compassion and empathy that I have rarely seen matched. To say that Karen truly cared about the lives of her employees would be an understatement. Those that have worked for her for any amount of time would go into any battle for her as they know, without doubt, that they have her support. Karen excels at bringing a humanity to a division (IT) of most corporations where is mostly an afterthought while never losing focus of the goals of IT or the company as a whole. That balance is rare and valuable.
James Ham
I had the pleasure of working with Karen at DynCorp International. Karen was a consummate professional, an amazing role model and personal mentor who inspired me to be the best that I could be every day and gave me confidence to take on the most challenging stretch assignments. Karen has such command and respect of her organization and knows the status of every project and initiative going on within it. She's able to communicate this so clearly the the business functions and through integration workshops that everyone knows the plan, the status and the next key steps to success. Thank you Karen for everything you did for me and for being such an inspirational leader! James Ham Director of Program Management at L3Harris Technologies
Jason Wiseman (PMP, SMC)
While working at DynCorp International, names of certain people out in the field would float across the corporate landscape; names of people making an impact and significant contributions not only to the company as a whole but to individuals under their stead. Karen Ward's reputation was known to me well before before I had the privilege of working for her. Once she had made her way to the corporate offices, the actuality of Karen far exceeded the reputation. As an IT leader, Karen brought a stability and calmness to the chaos of the role, providing a pragmatic vision for an organization in what seemed like constant flux. In addition, she brought a level of compassion and empathy that I have rarely seen matched. To say that Karen truly cared about the lives of her employees would be an understatement. Those that have worked for her for any amount of time would go into any battle for her as they know, without doubt, that they have her support. Karen excels at bringing a humanity to a division (IT) of most corporations where is mostly an afterthought while never losing focus of the goals of IT or the company as a whole. That balance is rare and valuable.
Experience
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GracoRoberts
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United States
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Chemical Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chief Information Officer
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Jan 2022 - Present
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JLS, LLC
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
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Information Technology Manager, Business Systems
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Mar 2018 - Jan 2022
Responsible for implementing a Logistics ERP system to support government contract. Responsible for implementing a Logistics ERP system to support government contract.
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design S studios, LLC
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750 South Main, Suite 140, Keller, TX 76248
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Co Owner
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Apr 2016 - Jan 2022
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Warren Realty & Investments
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Dallas/Fort Worth Area
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Realtor
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Apr 2016 - Jan 2022
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Erickson Incorporated
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United States
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Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
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200 - 300 Employee
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Independent Consultant
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Mar 2017 - Mar 2017
Provide technical expertise on business systems, information technology internal/external business processes, internal/external communications for contract locations, evaluated internal staffing needs and requirements. Supported IT communications for new contract locations and negotiating contract with Xtar. (Erickson Inc.) Provide technical expertise on business systems, information technology internal/external business processes, internal/external communications for contract locations, evaluated internal staffing needs and requirements. Supported IT communications for new contract locations and negotiating contract with Xtar. (Erickson Inc.)
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DynCorp International
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United States
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Defense and Space Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Sr. Director, Information Technology
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Mar 2011 - May 2015
• Manage multiple teams, comprised of 83 employees, providing company-wide IT Service Delivery, Networking, Server Solutions, Project Management Office, Business Relations Managers and Service Desk.• Provide oversight to a 24 x 7 x 365 network operations support for all DynCorp offices and contracts supported by the NOC.• Responsible for delivering new contract phase-in support with both IT infrastructure and business applications.• Responsible for IT budget development and management (average $25 million/year).• Responsible for the Integrated Master Schedule for tracking project portfolio.• Focus IT strategy to ensure the needs of the customer are met efficiently with minimal complexity• Served as interim Chief Information Officer of company for seven months. LOGCAP• Created and implemented LOGCAP PSO IT department, comprised of 53 employees, to support CONUS and OCONUS operations.• Manage IT support for U.S. Government contract operating in Texas, Afghanistan, Kuwait, UAE and Oman.• Manage IT staff performing systems design and engineering, configuration management, systems implementation, IT operations, systems and network security, information assurance, and business applications to ensure compliance with contract requirements • Manage communication, IT, and business applications supporting facilities, maintenance, procurement, equipment, materials, and personnel tracking; property management; timekeeping; payroll; and accounting.• Manage IT policy/administrative/security training and support for DynCorp managers at 60 sites.• Managed the design, engineering, configuration, deployment, installation, testing, and operations of 56 communications/IT kits deployed across Afghanistan.• Operationally responsible for all communications (VSAT, VOIP, SAT phones, radios), as well as all networks, servers, computers, applications, and 24 x 7 x 365 Help Desk support. • Responsible for IT budget development and management (average $60 million/year). Show less
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Director, Information Management
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Jan 2007 - Mar 2011
• Manage complete IT support for two U.S. Government contracts operating in Florida, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.• Manage IT staff performing systems design and engineering, configuration management, systems implementation, IT operations, systems and network security, information assurance, and business applications to ensure compliance with contract requirements and DynCorp policies and practices. • Responsible for IT budget development and management (averages $45 million/year).• Assure compliance with Federal Regulations (FAM, NIST, DS).• Manage communication, IT, and business applications supporting aircraft operations and maintenance; procurement; equipment, materials, and personnel tracking; property management; timekeeping; payroll; and accounting.• Manage IT policy/administrative/security training and support U.S. Department of State (DoS) and DynCorp managers at 67 sites.• Managed the design, engineering, configuration, deployment, installation, testing, and operations of 70 communications/IT kits deployed across the seven countries served on the two DoS contracts.• Operationally responsible for all communications (VSAT, VOIP, SAT phones, radios), as well as all networks, servers, computers, applications, and 24 x 7 x 365 Help Desk support. • Manage $40 million of Government-Furnished Property. Show less
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Director IT Infrastructure
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Jul 2004 - Jan 2007
• Managed multiple teams, comprised of 55 employees, providing company-wide IT networking and server support, IT Customer Service, Help Desk, and desktop support • Managed the design, configuration, installation, testing, and operations of a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Fort Worth, TX. Maintained 24 x 7 x 365 network operations support for all DynCorp offices and projects supported by the NOC.• Supported contract phase-in with both IT infrastructure and business applications• Served as Project Manager for the movement of corporate IT personnel and services to Alliance. Show less
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RSS Information Technology Manager
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Jul 2002 - Jun 2005
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Information Technology Manager
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Jan 1999 - Jul 2002
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Information Technology
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Oct 1985 - Jan 2000
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Education
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University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science (BS), Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services