Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Susan Lucas is a seasoned Chief Information Officer with a proven track record of driving digital transformation and technology innovation within the restaurant and hospitality industry. With extensive expertise in leading enterprise-wide technology initiatives, she is renowned for her ability to align IT strategy with business objectives and deliver tangible operational and financial impact.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Information Officer at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants, Susan is responsible for overseeing the company's entire technology landscape, including infrastructure, applications, and data management. She spearheads the development and implementation of cutting-edge digital solutions that enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and drive operational efficiencies. Additionally, Susan serves as a Member of the Board of Governors at the Restaurant Technology Network, where she contributes her industry insights and thought leadership to shape the future of technology in the restaurant industry.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Susan held progressive leadership positions at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants, serving as the Senior Vice President of Technology and Vice President of Technology. In these roles, she was instrumental in modernizing the company's technology infrastructure, implementing cloud-based solutions, and driving the adoption of emerging technologies. She also brings valuable consulting experience, having served as a Security PMO Consultant at Target and an Interim IT Executive at RSM US LLP.
Susan's diverse background includes senior-level roles at Velocity Technology Solutions, Famous Dave's, and Scout Information Services, where she demonstrated her expertise in project management, technology integration, and digital transformation. Her early career was marked by her tenure at prestigious firms such as Accenture and Ciber Global, where she honed her skills in IT strategy, process optimization, and enterprise-wide technology initiatives.
Academic Background
Susan holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with honors.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic IT leadership and digital transformation
- Enterprise application management and integration
- Cloud computing and infrastructure optimization
- Data analytics and business intelligence
- Cybersecurity and risk management
- Agile project management and change management
- Mentoring and developing high-performing IT teams
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Susan has led the successful implementation of numerous mission-critical technology projects, driving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and delivering measurable financial benefits. Her achievements include spearheading the migration of Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants' IT infrastructure to the cloud, resulting in a 30% reduction in operating costs and improved system uptime and reliability. Additionally, she has been instrumental in developing and deploying custom-built applications that have streamlined inventory management, optimized supply chain logistics, and improved employee productivity across the organization.
Conclusion
With her exceptional technical expertise, strategic vision, and proven leadership capabilities, Susan Lucas is poised to continue driving digital innovation and operational excellence within the restaurant and hospitality industry. As the Chief Information Officer at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants, she is committed to leveraging the power of technology to enhance the company's competitive advantage and deliver exceptional value to its customers and stakeholders.
