Mark Ponikvar

Visionary and results-driven Executive Director with 15+ years of progressive leadership in IT strategy, enterprise architecture, and data services, coupled with a distinguished military background. Proven ability to architect and scale robust, secure, and innovative IT ecosystems that drive strategic objectives and operational excellence within highly regulated and technically complex environments.

A West Point graduate and certified Six Sigma Black Belt, adept at leading large, diverse teams (up to 62 personnel) to deliver transformational solutions across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, and data management. Expert in aligning IT with R&D and business priorities, ensuring stringent compliance (DoD, NIST, 21 CFR Part 11, SOX, GxP, GDPR), and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Demonstrated success in managing multi-million dollar budgets, optimizing service delivery, and securing classified networks in mission-critical national security operations.

• Strategic IT Transformation & Data Modernization: Defined and established a foundational Enterprise Data Services team and platform, managing 12+ billion rows of data across diverse domains. Achieved 600% faster data access, significant cost reductions, and enhanced scalability, providing critical support for clinical, manufacturing, and R&D operations, directly impacting scientific breakthroughs.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance Excellence in Regulated Environments: Led the correction of critical 404(b) deficiencies by implementing new controls and a documented process, resulting in zero audit findings over multiple years. Ensured continuous compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, SOX, GxP, HIPAA, and GDPR across all enterprise applications and data.
• Mission-Critical Network & Classified Systems Management (US Army): As Signal Officer, designed and implemented the only security-compliant network infrastructure during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which became the standard for deployed units. Successfully planned, installed, operated, and maintained 35 servers and 5 classified networks, providing critical communications for over 21,000 personnel in a high-stakes, national security environment.
• Strategic IT Roadmap & Service Delivery Optimization: Collaborated with Executive Staff to diagnose IT support challenges, then developed and executed a strategic roadmap for an IT service overhaul. Achieved 20% reduction in IT spend, enhanced service delivery speed, implemented self-service models, and significantly improved IT satisfaction metrics.
• Innovation & AI/ML for Business Impact: Championed the strategic concept of leveraging unstructured public data for purchasing pattern analysis. Secured MIT Sloan's Analytics Laboratory for a collaboration, leading to the application of AI techniques for data extraction and new guidance for product development and marketing teams.
• Large-Scale System Integration & Efficiency: Directed the consolidation of multiple global ERP instances into a single platform, optimizing operational efficiency across international teams. Successfully transferred a $50 million business across three countries, generating $2.2 million in annual savings and revenue by identifying and eliminating non-value add production processes (saving 300 engineering hours, $400K waste).

IT Strategy & Vision | Enterprise Architecture | Cybersecurity & Compliance | Data Strategy & Governance | R&D & Scientific Computing Support | Digital Transformation | AI/ML & Emerging Technologies | Large-Scale Team Leadership| Executive Stakeholder Engagement | Budget & Resource Management | Operational Excellence | Vendor Management | Cloud Strategy | P&L Management

Board Member | North Suburban YMCA | 2024 - Present

Board Member | Island Marina Association | 2024 - Present

"I have had the pleasure of working with Mark on a number of projects through the years. Mark always listens to the needs of his internal customers, analyzes the information that we provide him and determines what will benefit us now and in the future. This forward thinking has saved the organization both money and time.  His professionalism and expertise are huge assets to Cell Signaling Technology"

"Mark is a tremendous contributor to the success of our Oracle Implementation. He always works with the highest level of honesty and integrity. The quality of his work consistently exceeds expectations of his Supervisors and Peers.  The skill to 'bridge the gap' between the technical and the functional make him an excellent facilitator between IT and the business."

"Mark was an exceptional officer and tremendous leader while serving in the G6 Office. He was a great mentor for soldiers under his care and always available to complete the mission and delivered countless solutions for any technical complications that would surface. He was an invaluable talent and a man of integrity"