John Lafollette

About John Lafollette

A servant leader dedicated to leveraging innovative technologies to drive business transformation, enhance customer experiences, foster strategic partnerships, and cultivate top talent. Led transformative initiatives focused on innovative infrastructure, robust security, and mission-critical business systems. Utilized emerging technologies such as containerization, microservices, cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to seamlessly integrate and optimize operations, fostering long-term growth and scalability.Implemented streamlined lifecycle processes as part of the leadership team for the insurance modernization program, driving a 5.5% reduction in operational expenses. Contributed to allocating 3.5% of the budget toward employee education to retain top talent, improved business availability by 35%, and enhanced security solutions.Areas of Expertise:Digital Transformation • Cloud Strategy • Cybersecurity Strategy • Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Agile Methodology • Data Governance • Technology Roadmap Development • Innovation Management • Digital Innovation • Automation Solutions • Enterprise Software Solutions • Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge • Information & Operations Management • Service Center Support • P&L Management • IT Governance • Business Process & Drivers • Business / e-Business Strategy Implementation • Strategic & Tactical Planning • Enterprise / Technical Architecture • Forecasting, Reporting & Analysis • Venture & Acquisitions Management • Contract Negotiations & Finalization • Project Portfolio Management • Budgeting & Cash Flow Management • Organizational Change • Business Transformation • Presentation • Facilitation • Thought Leadership • Knowledge Creation • Complex Problem Solving • Management & Dissemination • Quality Management • Change Management • Initiate Policies & Processes • Risk Management / Security • Organizational Development • Collaboration • Vendor Management • Performance Improvements • Continuous Improvement • Monitoring / Analytics

Experience

1. Assistant Vice President, Infrastructure & Operations

   Illinois Mutual

   Oct 2014 — Present · Peoria, IL, US

   Lead strategic planning and direction for IT operations. Oversee daily operations, issue management, and a $3M budget with a team of eighteen (18) employees. Key contributor to a $19M modernization program, including systems like Policy Administration, Enterprise Service Bus, Enterprise Job Scheduler, and Customer Content Management. Re-designed infrastructure, enterprise applications, and client services to improve stability and service efficiency.Support VP/CIO by setting strategic and tactical planning and direction for the company\'s IT organization that provides 24x7x365 daily oversight and operations and issues management of the following functions- Data Center Operations - Network / Telecommunications - Security / Compliance Operations - Roles / Responsibilities - Team Leadership - Project Portfolio Management - Governance Process - Database Management - Enterprise Telephony - Mainframe Infrastructure - Vendor & Supplier Relationship Management - Coordinate Demand Management - IT Operational Disaster Recovery - Enterprise-Wide Business Systems - Integration Middleware Operations - Enterprise Print Management - PC & Mobile Device Management - Data Storage Infrastructure - Service Center Support - Server Infrastructure - Mainframe Operations - IT Strategy

Education

• Illinois Central College

  Associate - Microcomputer Software Specialist, Applied Science

  1992 — 1996

• Elmwood High School

  HS Diploma

  1988 — 1992

• Millikin University

  Bachelor - Management of Organizational Leadership, Business of Science

  2002 — 2004