(612) 845-2872
gspears012@msn.com
gary4DSolutions@outlook.com www.linkedin.com/in/garyspears

My name is Gary Spears and I work in Information Technology. I have great compassion for Seniors. I prefer to work for Mission Based companies and would love to work in a capacity focused on limiting the social isolation Seniors experience by teaching them to leverage technology. I also love leading in my church and local community.

Professionally, I consider myself to be a multi-dimensional executive who is exceptional at translating technology concepts into relatable business terminology. I am skilled at working in large, matrixed, corporate or start-up environments, and can skillfully direct projects that lead to successful information system deployments.  I focus on delivering results while making sure my 'natural awards' are experienced by everyone on the project: Excellence, Respect, Fun, Balance.  Delivering leadership through effective people and complex problem-solving skills, I can communicate at all organization levels and am adept at building healthy teams and managing through transformational change.

I gained my professional experience through positions with major industry players, such as Andersen Consulting, IBM and Medtronic. I've also worked with small start-ups, where my expertise and focus on results proved critical to the new business’s success. My keen understanding of both business and IT industry strategies, while demonstrating an appreciative style, has made me able to quickly step into any situation and leverage technology to develop relationships and drive operational efficiencies. I'm adept at helping to deliver business tactics that are enabled by IT strategy. I've led large teams of client and consulting staff while managing budgets of over $9M.

I am a tenacious yet flexible professional who leads by example and has excellent written and verbal communication skills. I am considered to be a decisive, fair and results-oriented individual capable of making significant and continuing contributions. Going forward in my career, I am looking to leverage my desire to work with the senior population by introducing, educating and training them in how to navigate the world of technology, with a focus on decreasing their feeling of social isolation. My most recent contribution to this community is the development of a Technology for Seniors workshop that I hope to begin offering locally through Senior Living facilities or Senior Education opportunities.

I like to give back to my community by serving in various leadership roles within St. Andrew Lutheran Church and time spent coaching youth for football, basketball, baseball, and curling. I derive significant satisfaction from developing others and seeing them excel in whatever they are attempting to accomplish.

I work closely with a local group called Think IT! whose mission is to foster professional growth and development through the power of networking and collaboration as a member of their Board of Advisors. For my work with Think IT!, I have received the Facilitator of the Year and Advocate of the Year awards. I've also partnered with Genesys Works, as the 'workforce of tomorrow' is developed, working closely with local high school students while at Medtronic.

I hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial Management with a minor in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Additional training includes “Good Leadership Fundamentals,” which builds on the Cornerstones of Goodness. I've received technical training on Salesforce.com and multiple application exchange partners. I am a Certified Scrum Product Owner. 

 My wife and I are the parents of four children: triplets (19 yr. old son, two 19 yr. old daughters), and a 17 yr. old son. Our four kids - and the young adults they've become - are a significant point of pride for me.

If you are searching for a business and IT strategist in the Minneapolis Twin Cities area, give me a call and let's talk!