John Belden
Strategic Enterprise Architect & Digital Transformation Leader
A results-driven director who delivers impactful business outcomes through seasoned operational skills and expert digital portfolio management. Proven expertise in cloud migration, digital transformation, and architecture governance. Exceptional understanding and ability to bridge the gap between technology and business and align IT strategies with organizational goals for long-term success.
A career marked by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, a passion for problem-solving, and dedication to optimizing technology's role in business.
A global cross-functional team leader who can add value to any organization through:
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Strategic Vision: Possess a deep understanding of technology as a strategic enabler; expertise in designing and executing IT strategies that help organizations adapt to change, enhance their competitive edge, and embrace disruptive technologies.
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Digital Transformation Leadership: Specialize in guiding enterprises through digital transformation journeys, leading teams to ensure a seamless and secure transition, and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives.
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Enterprise Architecture Expertise: With an in-depth knowledge of enterprise architecture, skilled in designing scalable systems, selecting appropriate technologies, and optimizing infrastructures for performance and cost efficiency.
Currently located in Fort Worth, TX.
Available for on-site, hybrid, and remote opportunities.
Experience
Jan 2021 - Present
Enterprise Architect, Senior Director
Drive team projects to develop global solutions for government audit compliance, focusing on supplier and customer invoice adherence. Lead the integration of the French Government Anticorruption Agency (AFA) initiative into French business practices and facilitate forums to boost digital conversations and enhance collaboration. Establish Program Management Office (PMO) standards with business and digital leaders. Partner with cybersecurity teams to incorporate a "safety-first" approach in business and digital frameworks, adhering to PMO norms. Work closely with North America's CIO in overseeing regional and global teams.
Jan 2019 - Jan 2021
Enterprise Cloud Director
Actively engaged with the acquisition and integration teams to seamlessly migrate 300 applications from GE, collaborating with cross-functional business leaders, architects, project managers, engineers, and CIOs to drive digital business objectives. Played a pivotal role in mentoring for leadership development within the team and among business peers. Coordinated with architects to design, build, and manage the Microsoft Azure and AWS cloud infrastructure for GE Transportation/Wabtec during its divestiture from GE. Administered the daily operations of a globally distributed team of 17 and managed a budget of $10M+.
Jan 2015 - Jan 2019
Global Architect and Infrastructure Program Manager
Strategic role focused on maximizing value for the business from the commercially developed product and voice of the customer (VoC) inside the company. Orchestrated teams to collaborate strategically with key stakeholders to align application development and budget analysis efforts. Managed a $7M to $9M product portfolio for four internal Fortune 500 businesses.
Jan 2013 - Jan 2015
Global Strategic Enterprise Architect | Global Product Manager | Enterprise Architect
Established architecture standards aimed at increasing solution recycling across oil and gas and GE by 30%. Spearheaded the architecture design of multiple custom products for customers, contributing significantly to revenue growth. Guided corporate IT risk leaders in establishing a global governance framework for customer software development.
Jan 2011 - Jan 2013
Global Cloud Solutions Architect Leader | North America Solution Architect | Special Product Leader
Managed a product team collaborating with partners like Intel, EMC, and Pivotal to facilitate petabyte-scale analytics. Designed a best practice process for deploying over 500 applications to the cloud and managed the operational support for a global Oracle DBA team across sales and manufacturing environments. Directed quality assurance for Oracle ERP, impacting 50% of the total business product line revenue. Additionally, guided the design infrastructure team, serving a user community of over 1000.
Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
North America IT Manager
Directed the development of web applications across multiple departments. Oversaw the deployment of wireless technology integration within the manufacturing sector and the ERP environment, ensuring seamless operations. Implemented comprehensive governance policies covering human resources, finance, and IT risk and compliance procedures.
Results
Specialized in guiding enterprises through digital transformation journeys, leading teams to ensure a seamless and secure transition, and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives.
Possess a deep understanding of technology as a strategic enabler; expertise in designing and executing IT strategies that help organizations adapt to change, enhance their competitive edge, and embrace disruptive technologies.
With an in-depth knowledge of enterprise architecture, skilled in designing scalable systems, selecting appropriate technologies, and optimizing infrastructures for performance and cost efficiency.
Expertise
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Global Business Operations Management
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Business Strategy
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Global Growth Strategies
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Enterprise Architecture
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Strategic Planning
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Business Migration
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Acquisition
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Integration
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P&L Optimization
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Agile
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Cloud Architecture
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Portfolio Management
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Cost Control
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Cross-Functional Team Management
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Geographically Dispersed Teams Management
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Application Development
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Multi-Site Operations
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Data Analysis
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Risk Management
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Executive Leadership
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
Computer Information Systems
Meet John
Q & A
Why did you choose your profession?
I was working to put myself through school as an infrastructure administrator in the basement of a global manufacturing company in Southeast Houston. My fascination with what technology drove the business enabled me to work across all digital and business disciplines. A career was created because I valued the strategy of the business and how that strategy should drive the technology.
Who are your main influences?
I enjoy historic biographies of creative people such as Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, and Muhammad Ali. Digital career inspirations include Grace Hopper, Sheryl Sanderg, and Micheal Dell. All have distinctive approaches to seemingly complex opportunities. All these people were told ‘no’ but nevertheless persisted.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
My accomplishments as the Director of the Cloud team while working at GE Transportation. I build a global engineering team, a global support center and a global automated multi-cloud solution. I partnered with business leaders to ensure a seamless transition as well as establish a cross-functional digital community. A difficult challenge that was very successful.
What tools do you use?
TOGAF, APQC, EAP, Zachman, Agile, 6 Sigma, Waterfall.
What advice would you give someone just starting in your profession?
Do not be afraid to fail. It sounds basic, however discussions I have with people I mentor misunderstand it. It is my experience that everyone who has achieved great success has also achieved grate failure. You are not perfect, and neither are your peers. Fail Fast, Fail Loud, and a good team will support you. Your expertise will benefit from the failure.
Testimonials
"As CTO, it's rare to work with a person like John. Details matter when operating a multi-billion-dollar business, and I knew I could count on John to do just that"
Benjamin T. Wilson, Chief Technology Officer, General Electric
"I have witnessed John bring a broad set of talents to an evolving and complex business environment. John worked past the boundaries of traditional job descriptions and delivered true cross-functional capabilities that have been a pivotal part of the GE Digital agile portfolio."
David O’Malley, Senior Director Product Strategy, General Electric
Interests & Hobbies
Travel
Reading
