Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Joel Maag is an experienced IT infrastructure and operations leader with a proven track record of driving digital transformation and optimizing technology systems to support business growth. As the Director of IT Infrastructure at Columbia Distributing, he is responsible for overseeing the company's mission-critical technology infrastructure, ensuring operational efficiency, and aligning IT capabilities with strategic objectives. In addition, Joel serves as a Principal Product Advisor at IronCircles, where he provides expert guidance on the development and deployment of innovative technology solutions.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Director, IT Infrastructure at Columbia Distributing (2021-04-01 to Present)
- Leads a team of IT professionals responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the company's complex technology infrastructure, including servers, networking, storage, and cloud-based systems.
- Spearheads the development and execution of a comprehensive IT roadmap that supports Columbia Distributing's business goals, enhances operational resilience, and optimizes technology investments.
- Collaborates cross-functionally with business stakeholders to identify and address technology-related challenges, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
Principal Product Advisor at IronCircles (2022-03-01 to Present)
- Provides strategic guidance and technical expertise to the IronCircles product team, contributing to the development and enhancement of their cloud-based infrastructure management platform.
- Leverages deep industry knowledge and hands-on experience to help shape product features, functionality, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with customer needs and market trends.
- Serves as a subject matter expert, sharing insights and best practices to support the successful deployment and adoption of IronCircles solutions.
Career Progression
Information Technology Services Manager at Columbia Distributing (2020-03-01 to 2021-03-01)
- Managed a team of IT professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations and support of the company's technology infrastructure and applications.
- Implemented process improvements and automation to enhance service delivery, increase user satisfaction, and optimize resource utilization.
- Spearheaded the migration of on-premises systems to cloud-based platforms, driving cost savings and improvements in scalability and reliability.
Technology Operations Manager at Clinicient (2015-07-01 to 2020-01-01)
- Oversaw the IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technical support functions for a rapidly growing healthcare technology company.
- Led the design and implementation of a highly available and secure cloud-based infrastructure, supporting the company's expansion and the increasing demand for its software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings.
- Developed and executed comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring the organization's critical systems and data were protected.
AVP - Data Center and Engineering Manager at IBM Seterus (2012-12-01 to 2015-07-01)
- Managed the data center operations, including server, storage, and network infrastructure, for a large financial services organization.
- Spearheaded the migration of legacy on-premises systems to a hybrid cloud environment, driving cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Established and implemented best practices for infrastructure monitoring, incident response, and change management, improving overall system availability and reliability.
Academic Background
Joel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Oregon State University, where he graduated with distinction and was recognized for his academic excellence.
Areas of Expertise
- IT infrastructure design, deployment, and optimization
- Cloud computing and hybrid infrastructure management
- Cybersecurity and data protection
- IT service delivery and operational excellence
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
- Strategic technology planning and roadmap development
Professional Impact
- Guided the successful migration of on-premises systems to cloud-based platforms, enhancing scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for multiple organizations.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring the resilience of critical systems and data.
- Contributed to the development and enhancement of IronCircles' cloud-based infrastructure management platform, shaping product features and functionality to better serve customer needs.
- Recognized as a subject matter expert in the IT infrastructure and operations domain, frequently sought out for technical guidance and strategic advisory.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience in IT infrastructure management, cloud computing, and strategic technology planning, Joel Maag is a seasoned leader who consistently delivers innovative solutions and operational excellence to support the growth and success of the organizations he serves. His ability to align technology capabilities with business objectives, foster