William Aarestad
Executive Director, Software Engineering
Professional Overview
William Aarestad is a seasoned software engineering executive with over 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams and driving digital transformation initiatives. As the Executive Director of Software Engineering at IHS Markit, he oversees the development and deployment of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, leveraging his deep technical expertise and strong business acumen to deliver strategic value to the organization.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Executive Director of Software Engineering at IHS Markit, William leads a team of over 100 software engineers, architects, and project managers responsible for the development and maintenance of the company's core software platforms. In this role, he is responsible for setting the technical vision, driving innovation, and ensuring the delivery of robust, scalable, and secure software solutions that meet the evolving needs of IHS Markit's diverse customer base.
Under William's leadership, the software engineering team has achieved significant milestones, including the successful migration of legacy systems to cloud-based architectures, the implementation of agile development methodologies to accelerate time-to-market, and the adoption of advanced analytics and AI/ML technologies to enhance the company's product offerings.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, William held several senior-level positions in the software engineering and IT services industry, including Director of Information Technology Services at Warren-Goodwin, Inc., Applications Architect and Senior Systems Engineer at WellDynamics, Inc., and Project Lead and Lead Developer at Verizon. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a track record of leading cross-functional teams, spearheading complex technology initiatives, and delivering measurable business outcomes.
Academic Background
William holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors.
Areas of Expertise
- Enterprise software development and architecture
- Cloud migration and infrastructure modernization
- Agile project management and DevOps practices
- Data analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning integration
- Strategic technology planning and digital transformation
Professional Impact
Under William's leadership, the software engineering team at IHS Markit has achieved several notable accomplishments, including:
- Enabling a 30% reduction in infrastructure costs through the successful migration of legacy systems to the cloud
- Improving customer satisfaction by 25% through the implementation of a more responsive and user-centric software platform
- Driving a 20% increase in developer productivity by adopting agile methodologies and DevOps practices
Conclusion
William Aarestad is a highly accomplished software engineering executive with a proven track record of leading digital transformation initiatives and delivering strategic value to his organization. With his deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and visionary leadership, he is poised to continue driving innovation and operational excellence in the evolving technology landscape.
