Robert Ford

Current

Executive Director at Jefferson Awards
Founder at ExecuTran.org

Past

President / CEO at NextPhase Wireless
Global Corporate Communications Manager at DuPont
Chief Information Officer (CIO) at DuPont Solutions and Services

Chief Technology Officer (CTO at DuPont Global Services
Founder / Co-leader at DuPont eBusiness Center
Business Manager at DuPont Communication Solutions
Chief Information Officer (CIO), at DuPont External Affairs
Team Leader, Internet and Collaborative Technologies at DuPont Nylon
Systems Specialist at DuPont Nylon (Gloucester - UK)

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Education

University of Bradford
The University of Wolverhampton

Recommended

5 people have recommended Robert

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Information Technology and Services

Websites

Robert Ford’s Summary

A pragmatic visionary with deep, hands-on experience of start-up, turnaround and growth environments, seeking an executive leadership position with a dynamic organization that is determined to leverage Information Technology to improve how they connect, communicate, collaborate, compete and win.

An accomplished entrepreneur and executive leader (CEO/CTO/CIO), my track record is characterized by well-diversified information technology, business development, communications and general management experience. I have successfully led multiple integration, consolidation and transformational activities, and a consistent theme throughout my career has been identifying, assimilating, and operationalizing technologies that positively change the way that business is done.

I’m currently considering new opportunities to put my skills and experience to work in an environment that inspires passion. In particular, I'm seeking the following:

- Senior Executive position (CEO, COO, President) in a well-funded, emerging growth company / startup.

- Senior Executive position (CIO / CTO) in an established mid-sized company that is looking to transform the way that it does business, and how it connects with its stakeholders (shareholders, employees, partners, customers, community)

Robert Ford’s Specialties:

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Operations, IT, Strategic Planning, Bus. Dev., Product Dev., Marketing, Communications, Project Management , Financial Mgt., Integration, Mergers / Acquisitions, Negotiations

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
IT Strategy, Business Orientation / Alignment , Systems Architecture, Technology Evaluation / Operationalization, Outsourcing / Service Mgt., Portfolio Management / IT Governance, Internet / Intranet / Extranet, eBusiness / eCommerce, Social Media / Web 2.0

Robert Ford’s Experience

Executive Director

Jefferson Awards

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

April 2009 — Present (8 months)
Founder

ExecuTran.org

(Internet industry)

July 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)

ExecuTran.org is intended to be a resource for executives in transition, where they can network in a supportive environment, sharing ideas, referrals and other relevant information with their peers.
President / CEO

NextPhase Wireless

(Telecommunications industry)

January 2005 — September 2008 (3 years 9 months)

Primary leadership force of this fast-growing, nationwide developer of WiMAX-ready wireless networks and provider of advanced broadband solutions.

- Orchestrated company start-up, securing $4.5M in three rounds of friends, family and ‘angel’ funding.

- Defined strategic vision to build a WiMAX-ready, wireless broadband connectivity and content delivery platform serving all 48 contiguous United States. Propelled build-out of pre-WiMAX wireless footprint in California, covering Orange County, San Bernadino County, and Riverside County.

- Developed ongoing acquisition-driven national expansion initiative, acquiring operations in CA, GA, and NJ to date.

- Oversaw post-acquisition integration process, streamlining operations, reducing operating costs, and increasing profitability.

- Negotiated licensed LMDS (29-31 GHz) wireless spectrum in four major markets, serving 29M population, independently valued at $33MM.

- Acquired nationwide WIMAX license (3.65 GHz) from FCC.
Global Corporate Communications Manager

DuPont

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; DD; Chemicals industry)

2002 — 2004 (2 years )

- Developed DuPont’s Intranet Portal strategy. Implemented 'My DuPont' Employee Portal, leveraging standards (processes, tools, and infrastructure) to satisfy communication needs of 80,000 global employees. Developed / implemented Leadership Portal to provide personalized information delivery to 3,000 senior business leaders, globally.

- Developed / implemented DuPont’s 'Web Portfolio Management' process to actively manage (i.e. delete, archive, refresh, market and promote) corporate web content.

- Co-chaired DuPont's 2004 MLK Celebration; developed / implemented an integrated communications strategy for all audiences (internal, external, leadership) and all channels (press, print, e-mail, video).
Chief Information Officer (CIO)

DuPont Solutions and Services

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; DD; Chemicals industry)

2001 — 2002 (1 year )

Defined / implemented IT strategies for this portfolio of businesses (Consulting Solutions, Communication Solutions, Customer Care and the Economist’s Office) in alignment with their business strategies.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO

DuPont Global Services

(Information Technology and Services industry)

2000 — 2002 (2 years )

- Defined eTechnology vision, strategy and implementation for DuPont Global Services ($1.8BN revenue).

- Core member of corporate eTechnology Leadership team with specific responsibilities for operationalizing new eBusiness services (e.g. content management, eCollaboration, etc.).
Founder / Co-leader

DuPont eBusiness Center

(Internet industry)

1999 — 2002 (3 years )

Championed need for corporate eBusiness initiative, securing support and initial funding from two Senior Vice Presidents (IT & Global Services).

- Designed, implemented and operationalized corporate leveraged e-business capabilities ($21MM capital investment)

- Defined / implemented eBusiness service offerings (Business-to-Business (B2B), Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Employee (B2E)) and applicable infrastructure, from strategy, technology, functionality and organizational perspectives.

- Designed / Implemented DuPont's first B2E eCommerce initiative (ePillows), partnering with the Dacron® business, external manufacturers and fulfillment houses to sell and deliver bedding products to employees.
Business Manager

DuPont Communication Solutions

(Internet industry)

1998 — 2002 (4 years )

- Established DuPont's internal Digital Media business ($12M revenues, 60 employees), providing communication solutions and services (e.g., applications, communications, digital media and events) to both internal business units and external clients.

- Re-skilled / re-tooled organization to provide market leading leveraged Digital Media services. Defined / developed standardized offerings, processes and procedures.

- Designed / operationalized DuPont’s demand-driven consulting and implementation services (e.g. webcasting, online applications, employee communications, collaborative tools, survey development / operation / analysis.

- Designed DuPont’s Content Management capability (EXCEED), partnering with external software company to develop / implement.
Chief Information Officer (CIO),

DuPont External Affairs

(Chemicals industry)

1997 — 2000 (3 years )

- Defined / implemented IT Strategy for these groups (which included Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Investor Affairs, Corporate Marketing and Customer Care). Newly created role that was established as part of the Strategic Alliance (outsourcing) with CSC/Andersen Consulting.

- Turned around an under-funded, under-supported Corporate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application which became the first success story of the Alliance for its on time, on-budget implementation.
Team Leader, Internet and Collaborative Technologies

DuPont Nylon

(Textiles industry)

1995 — 1997 (2 years )

Project Leader for DuPont's first B2C eCommerce initiative, working with the DuPont Nylon® business, external web developers and fulfillment houses to sell and deliver carpet care products to consumers.

- Developed / maintained all DuPont Nylon external web sites and internal intranet for DuPont Nylon, as well as introduction of collaborative technologies into DuPont Nylon.
Systems Specialist

DuPont Nylon (Gloucester - UK)

(Textiles industry)

1993 — 1995 (2 years )

- Developed / implemented Global Manufacturing Systems Architecture for DuPont Nylon® (twenty-three plants across five continents).

- Developed / implemented Pan-European Manufacturing Systems architecture/strategy for DuPont Nylon® (nine plants in four countries) to assist with the integration of the newly acquired ICI Fibers assets.

Robert Ford’s Education

University of Bradford

MBA , 1988 — 1991
The University of Wolverhampton

BSc , Computer Science, Economics , 1979 — 1983

Additional Information

Robert Ford’s Websites:

Robert Ford’s Interests:

social networking, new media, web 2.0, new technology, digital media, social media, social media marketing

Robert Ford’s Groups:

Active member of the Greater Philadelphia Senior Executive Group (GPSEG), a non-profit professional association of senior-level executives committed to the exchange of business contacts and ideas in a spirit of generous giving, and to the fostering of career fulfillment, business development, and professional and personal growth.