Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Training
Languages
Websites
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kenneth Blanck

Director - Infrastructure & Service Delivery
ZUSHI-SHI 2-2-11 SHINJUKU,KANAGAWA

Summary

  • 24 years of IT Infrastructure & Service Delivery experience holding senior leadership roles at various Global Fortune-500 companies that cover the following areas:
  • Developing extensive IT infrastructure road maps aimed to drive down infrastructure expense budgets and improve TCO's
  • Designing and developing of IT Service Management policy and guidelines around Incident/Problem/Change/Configuration Management disciplines
  • Leading large scape multi-million dollar IT infrastructure projects that includes Data Center builds and migration, Campus LAN User Office builds, Global WAN MPLS solution designing and builds, and Multi-Cloud infrastructure designing, implementation, and service migration
  • Managing IT network infrastructure operations and service delivery functions that cover over $30 million USD IT budgets centered around the management of infrastructure hardware, software license, maintenance, and outsource service contract agreements
  • Extensive experience around building high performance teams
  • Providing high touch infrastructure support towards business application development teams during critical business impacting IT incidents
  • Providing deep infrastructure support towards FSA and Internal/External Audit inspections
  • Acting as an enterprise infrastructure architect providing design and blueprints around core to edge networking, security infrastructure components, and compute/storage/endpoint infrastructure elements aimed for public and private cloud infrastructure environments
  • Performing extensive cloud infrastructure assessments around AWS, Azure, GCP, and Oracle cloud environments
  • Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success
  • Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
4
4
Certificates

Work History

Global Head of Network Services (Director)

Olympus Corporation
Tokyo, Japan
11.2021 - Current
  • Accountable for all architecture, design, and implementation of IT Infrastructure and Service Delivery for Network Services (Data/Voice) globally for Olympus entities that include the Americas, EMEA, China/Asia-Pacific, and Japan regions
  • Managing a team of 8 network/security architects, 4 network deployment engineers, and 2 project managers while having in-direct reports of 20+ network engineers across the Olympus regions
  • Act as a Level-3 escalation SME for Olympus regional infrastructure teams and troubleshoot network performance issues (Wireless LAN, private cloud hosted SaaS application access, on-prem hosted security authentication issues, etc.)
  • Provide vendor management discipline towards existing Olympus outsource MSP's (Managed Service Providers) managing their service quality against operational issues to project delivery
  • Assess and analyze existing Olympus AS-IS network infrastructure from on-prem data centers, remote branch office, private IaaS/SaaS cloud computing environments, and security systems globally
  • Evaluate technology and market trends leveraging best practices around network/security infrastructure architecture - e.g
  • Multi-Cloud Infrastructure leveraging Equinix data center facilities, public/private cloud computing service providers (AWS/Azure/Oracle/GCP), networking solutions (SASE/SD-WAN, Zero Trust Architecture)
  • Developed a comprehensive IT network infrastructure roadmap that focused on infrastructure transformation centered around Hybrid Multi-Cloud infrastructure leveraging Equinix facilities and services (Equinix Fabric, Bare Metal servers) aimed to improve better end-user experience and support Olympus cloud strategy in moving on-prem workloads to the private/public cloud while utilizing on-demand network access and services (Network Edge).

Head of Infrastructure Architect (Senior Manager)

Coca Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.
Tokyo, Japan
12.2020 - 10.2021
  • Accountable for leading a small team of 2 full-time infrastructure analysts/engineers
  • Responsible for designing and implementing Coca Cola Bottlers Japan information systems to fit with business’ enterprise infrastructure and initiatives
  • Evaluate technology, market trends and industry best practices on pertaining to infrastructure architecture – e.g
  • Mobile technology, public/private cloud computing, networking solutions (SASE, SD-WAN, Zero Trust Architecture)
  • Promote organization architecture process and results to Coca Cola Bottlers Japan business leaders to develop IT infrastructure solutions
  • Collaborate with internal infrastructure and security operations teams to fit infrastructure architecture assignments and identify need to modify infrastructure architecture to attain to project requirements
  • Assess and analyze existing AS-IS infrastructure environment from network, cloud computing, and security systems
  • Developed a comprehensive IT infrastructure roadmap that focused on end-to-end infrastructure transformation centered around a simplified Multi-Cloud architecture & IT Landscape enabling better end-user experience to cloud hosted workloads utilizing on-demand network access and network services (Network Edge) to public/private cloud providers (AWS/GCP/Azure/IBM) with embedded DR/BCP readiness through regional network access, & on-demand compute resources that provides integrated infrastructure backup/storage & security policies
  • Managing work delivery under an Agile Methodology – Scrum, Sprint Review, and Retrospective.

Head of Network Services Japan (Director)

Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd.
03.2017 - 11.2020
  • Accountable for leading a team of 10 full-time staff and 35 onsite vendor resources
  • Supporting a Japan user base of approximately 11,000 across 160 site locations
  • 2 data centers, 1 exchange co-location, 5 headquarter offices, 300+ branch offices
  • Manage voice services & operations in addition to Trading Floor Dealer Board systems
  • Cisco IP Telephony infrastructure
  • Call Centre and voice recording infrastructure
  • Delivering business solutions for low latency electronic trading network environments
  • TSE/OSE exchanges for DMA & HFT Order/Execution
  • Price Feed systems for prop trading & client execution platforms
  • Liaise with the Global Markets & Equities business on designing client connectivity requirements
  • Dark pool & FIX client needs for “client on-boarding” to Mizuho’s production trading platforms
  • Manage client on-boarding through B2B 3rd party network service providers for FIX connectivity
  • Radianz, TNS, Colt, IPC, and Reuters
  • Provide remote network support & consultation
  • Mizuho Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Shanghai, London, and United States regions
  • Managing over 30 network vendors (legacy Japanese vendors)
  • Lead Operational Excellence Program (Global Markets & Equities business) to reduced IT costs
  • Performed a lead role from IT Infrastructure focused on network and market data services cost reduction initiatives.

Director of Network Services

American International Group K.K. (AIG)
Tokyo, Japan
01.2014 - 02.2017
  • Leading a team of 55 staff across 7 teams supporting the 15,000 Japan user based: AIG Japan Group business entities P&C (Property & Causality)
  • Life Insurance business (AIU/Fuji Fire Marine/AIG Fuji Life Insurance/Fuji Insurance Service/Tech Mark/AIG Business Partners KK)
  • Transformed a legacy local operating Data/Voice Network Team into strategic functional teams
  • Data/Security Network Engineering Team - Data/Security Network Service Delivery
  • Voice Network Engineering Team - Voice Network Service Delivery
  • Network Business Office - Technical Project Management
  • Completed year-long Transformation Initiative: Offshore all Network Operations Data/Voice L1 and operational tasks to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Alignment of strategic partners & vendors for support according to the Global Network Organization
  • Replacing legacy local vendors with Global partners: Dimension Data, Verizon, NTT Group Services – Data/Communications
  • Transforming the legacy operating model to global standards and best practices for Data/Voice services
  • Completed POC for Voice CTI Adaptor Middleware Services for Simpli-CTI (Converge One product)
  • Later became a Global Standard CTI service offering for AIG
  • Project for Network Operations & Stability to lock down access on production network devices
  • Apply Governance around software/hardware EOS/EOL through a Tools & Automation practice.

Vice President of Global Technology & Service Ops

Deutsche Bank Group
Tokyo, Japan
07.2010 - 12.2013
  • Leading a team of 5 engineers in supporting the 4 Deutsche Bank business entities for Tokyo/Japan
  • Extensive vendor management of network & Data Centre service providers: Dimension Data, NTT Communications, KDDI, BT Radianz, TNS, KVH, Equinix, TEPCO AT Tokyo, Arista Networks, Cisco Systems, Corvil, NetScout Systems
  • Responsible for delivering business solutions for ultra-low latency network solutions for the TSE/OSE exchanges for DMA & HFT Order/Execution and Price Feed systems as well as the FX (Foreign Exchange) market data exchanges for spot trading & pricing feeds
  • Liaise with business Japanese market clients directly on face-to-face interaction & market the bank’s FX platform/infrastructure while design solutions for cross-connect & connectivity to the bank’s co-location venue platform in part of “client on-boarding” to production platforms
  • Supporting B-2-B 3rd party FIX connectivity with broker/clients whom demands are to connect to DB via 3rd party extranet service providers such as Radianz or TNS
  • Maintaining and supporting of DB Tokyo’s primary data center, DR data center, BCP user office sites
  • Supporting Front Office trading applications located at TSE/OSE co-location sites
  • Maintaining & managing of DB Tokyo’s data network budget and spending plan aligning to global organization cost spend initiatives
  • Maintaining DB Tokyo’s network systems keeping them up to date and being compliant to the Tech Refresh global standards for hardware/software platforms
  • Designing of “cost effective” low latency & cutting edge networks
  • Designing of the bank’s Production & BCP Data Centre structured cabling infrastructure.

Business Technology Infrastructure (Senior Mgr.)

Pfizer Japan, Inc.
Tokyo, Japan
05.2008 - 06.2010
  • Service delivery in infrastructure department for support for Japan sub-region in Asia Pacific
  • Network compliance, qualification, and standardization within the sub-region of Japan
  • Executing and complying with ITIL framework for service delivery and service support processes
  • Manage the availability of the production network on 24x7x365
  • Leveraging internal Global Teams
  • Internal/external security audits to represent the service for networks in compliant with SOX
  • Manages the Japan sub-region network budget and forecasts on future projects Cap-Ex spending
  • Data Centre Operations/Management and HQ & BCP office
  • Built Pfizer’s Production Data Centre ground up (over 100+ racks)
  • Structured cabling plant for Fiber MDF & Copper UTP Cat-6A cabling providing connectivity from network infrastructure equipment to server/storage rack space.

Head of Network and IT Security (Senior Manager)

Hartford Life Insurance K.K.
Tokyo, Japan
10.2007 - 03.2008
  • Responsible for leading and managing a Network Team of 3 members
  • Data Center and HQ Office Relocation Projects
  • Designing IP networks
  • Introducing the company’s first BGP internet Active/Active design
  • Provide operational support to the company’s network
  • Troubleshooting complex issues to Layer-1
  • Liaison between different technology departments supporting mission critical applications
  • Built Hartford Japan’s Production & BCP data center (100+ racks)
  • Managed a full data center migration of production & BCP network/storage infrastructure platforms.

Assistant Vice President of Network Operations

Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan
11.2003 - 09.2007
  • Provide remote support for Data and Voice Networks throughout the Asia Pacific branch offices
  • Design, implemented, and project managed various data networks infrastructures
  • Leading the Japan Network Operations team of 10–15
  • Vendor management for business negotiations and support contracts
  • Oversaw daily network operations from a Network Operations Center
  • Provide executive-level support to Vice President of Technology and three direct reports
  • Liaison between different technology departments supporting the mission critical company network
  • Built Merrill Lynch’s Production & BCP Data Centers from the ground up (250+ racks per Data Center)
  • Designed the bank’s structured cabling infrastructure for Fibre MDF & Copper UTP cabling.

Data Network Consultant /Network Operations Engineer

Datacraft Japan Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Japan
09.2000 - 11.2003
  • Bilingual support both local Japanese client networks as well as global Multi-National client networks
  • Provide technical expertise & consultation in terms of network design, platform/product selection, platform configuration, and troubleshooting network issues
  • Certified Network Engineer: Designing, implemented, and managed various client customer networks
  • Design support & implementation of corporate network infrastructure for remote monitoring
  • Major MNC accounts included: Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, Dresdner, Lehman Brothers, Citibank, AXA, Zurich, AIG, ING, Morgan Stanley.

Skills

Business Development

Training

  • 2013 ITIL version 3.0
  • 2013 Six Sigma - Yellow & Intro to Black Belt
  • 2013 IHP - Intellectual High Performance

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Japanese
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)

Certification

MCSE

Timeline

Global Head of Network Services (Director)

Olympus Corporation
11.2021 - Current

Head of Infrastructure Architect (Senior Manager)

Coca Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.
12.2020 - 10.2021

Head of Network Services Japan (Director)

Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd.
03.2017 - 11.2020

Director of Network Services

American International Group K.K. (AIG)
01.2014 - 02.2017

Vice President of Global Technology & Service Ops

Deutsche Bank Group
07.2010 - 12.2013

Business Technology Infrastructure (Senior Mgr.)

Pfizer Japan, Inc.
05.2008 - 06.2010

Head of Network and IT Security (Senior Manager)

Hartford Life Insurance K.K.
10.2007 - 03.2008

CCIE - Routing/Switching (Written)

09-2005

CCNP - Routing/Switching/Security

07-2005

Assistant Vice President of Network Operations

Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.
11.2003 - 09.2007

CCNA

07-2001

Data Network Consultant /Network Operations Engineer

Datacraft Japan Co., Ltd.
09.2000 - 11.2003

MCSE

03-2000

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Kenneth BlanckDirector - Infrastructure & Service Delivery