Introducing Our New Strategic Partner

                                         Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame

July 1, 2015, marks the next phase of my “journey by discovery.” I grew up in information technology (IT) and started out as a heads-down engineer, but as the industry exploded, so did my opportunities for growth. Somewhat reluctantly, I traded my jeans for a suit as I answered the call to leadership. It was scary at the time, but I am so thankful today for the blessings bestowed on me during the last 30 years.

Regardless of whether you are a non-profit, community-based organization or a for-profit entity, IT continually moves at a phenomenal rate of change. This fast paced environment challenges leaders at all levels to make smart investments with limited resources that keep pace with the ever-changing technology world, while meeting client expectations. A little about my previous career…I have led and served throughout all areas of IT over the past 30+ years. The ladder part of my career was spent in higher education, where IT thrives on collaboration and partnership. Lessons from this experience are the gifts I plan to share in my role as a strategic partner with M E Clarke Consulting. Shared ideas create a shared vision—I serve others by helping them turn their shared visions into collective action.

Every leader dreams of being handed a fantastic team that knows exactly what needs to be done, with very little direction needed to reach their objective. Although this idea is a great one to have, all too often, reality is quite different. Just look at the lack of effective leadership and turnover in collegiate and professional sports.

(I am a big baseball fan, so I cannot help but close this with a short baseball story between the Milwaukee Braves and New York Yankees.) Henry “Hank” Aaron—home run legend—was up to the plate with Yogi Berra—Yankee great— behind the plate catching. Now the job of a catcher is to talk smack to the batter, so Yogi told Hank that he had the writing on the bat turned the wrong way. The next pitch that came plate ward, Hank hit into the left field bleachers. He rounded first, second, third, and touched home. As he was heading to the dugout, he turned around and yelled to Yogi, “I did not come here to read.” Point being—it is easy to get distracted from realizing our visions, but you have to find a way to remain focused.

I want to thank the higher education and IT communities for preparing me for this next phase of my career. My biggest passions, servant leadership and strategic management will allow me to form a strategic partnership with you to help define and execute your visions.