Akram Kowsari has over 30 years of experience in information technology roles, including positions as Vice President of IT, Director of Systems and Operations, and Manager of Business Systems. He has expertise in a variety of software, including Oracle, SQL, MySQL, and Microsoft Office, and hardware including HP, IBM, Sun Microsystems, and Windows servers. Kowsari is seeking a new opportunity to utilize his experience managing IT departments and implementing systems.
1. AKRAM KOWSARI
17 BRISBANE
IRVINE, CA. 92612
(949) 400-1564
Akram0328@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE
An opportunity to apply a solid background in the MIS environment to attain higher levels of responsibility
utilizing my experience and proven ability to setup new organizational frameworks, as well as to efficiently
maximize resource utilization.
SUMMARY
Thirty one years’ experience in the MIS environment. Strengths included ability to manages several
projects simultaneously, troubleshoot issues related to systems, networks, communications and hardware,
handle hardware and software installations, and work well under pressure. Software includes ORACLE,
SQL, MySQL, BROADVISION, COBOL, BASIC, FORTRAN, WINDOW, FREELANCE GRAPHICS,
MICROSOFT OFFICE, JAMS Software, VMware, E-Formz (Minisoft), various emulation packages &
PC-to-Mini-to-Mainframe file transfer protocols. Networks include TCP/IP, FTP, NFS, TELNET, HP
NS/3000, PRIMENET, RJE/SNA, FRAME RELAY, ISDN, X.25, PDNS, NOVELL, Cisco, Mitel IVR and
NT 4.0. Hardware includes HP Series 3000: 48/ 58/ 68/ 70, HP Series 9000: 917/ 925/ 937/ 949/ 950/ 967,
IBM AS400 Models B, C, D, & F, IBM 3090, DEC/VAX, PRIME 5340, NCR 8540, SUN Microsystems,
UNIX based systems (HPUX, Solaris), PC 286 – Pentium III server and client, Windows 2003 - 2008.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Reduced department operation costs, error and redundancy. Improved productivity, efficiency, profits,
employee morality and staffing.
EXPERIENCE
SWELL INC. 11/2001 to 11/2015
VP OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
This multi channel company provides surfer clothing apparel, sporting goods, home and video items. I
have started with company as Manager of IT and moved to VP of IT. My job responsibilities as VP of IT
include, but not limited: Vendor negotiation, support fulfillment/ order processing software (Ecometry &
GTS), front end web application and back-end database of the web server and internal network
server/applications and troubleshoot issues related to systems, networks and hardware. Implemented
remote call center interface, Paymentech credit card authorizations / billing system, FedEx shipping,
Ecometry POS system, eBay interface, and Amazon.com interface. Upgrade from Ecometry MPE to
Ecometry Open System 10.3.2.X. We have moved from 50% call center 50% E-Commerce to 3% Call
Center and 97% E-commerce throughout the 13 years of my work at Swell by enhancing our WEB site
multiple times.
TRAVELSMITH.COM 12/1999 to 10/2001
MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS
This web based catalog company provides clothing apparel, gadgets, supplies and high tech innovations to
travelers and business persons. As the manager of business systems, my job responsibilities include:
supporting both the front and back-end web application/database, providing technical advice and decision
making to e-business solutions and business practices, develop and implement report generation of sales
orders and sales tracking, established vendor relationship and negotiation, provide help desk support to end
users and clients, hardware and software implementation.
INTUIT SAN DIEGO, CA. 12/1998 to 12/1999
MANAGER OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
Managing the business relationship with manufacturing operations regarding Oracle and legacy
applications and tools, the operations Warehouse, fulfillment systems, and Electronic Commerce.
Representing the interests of corporate applications users in various functional and technology venues.
2. Developing and performing tactical and operating plan. Managing the scheduling of work efforts and
facilitating prioritization of end users requests. Quality assures requirements definition and functional
design. Coordinating functional and acceptance testing. Coordinating the development of and ensuring
compliance with system, data and security standards, policies and procedures.
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT 04/1997 to 12/1998
Teaching operation / administration, programming skills, system management and turbo image database at
Hewlett Packard centers throughout United States. Responsible for teaching 3rd
party Cognos products
such as QTP, Quiz and Vsoft products such as MPEX and security 3000 in private companies. Held an
acting role as a VP assistant t companies such as INTUIT INC., CNI in order to assist in project lead,
contract negotiation, staff training and replacement.
CREATIVE COMPUTERS 02/1996 to 04/1997
DIRECTOR OF SYSTEMS AND PERATIONS
Creative Computers is a nationwide mail order company with sales exceeding half a billion a year, with an
excess of two thousand employees. Reporting directly to the Senior VP of Operation, directing operation,
network, telecommunication and help desk department and staff in HP3000, NT servers and Nortell
switches environment. Supporting four retail stores, call center and headquarters in Southern CA. and a
warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee. Responsibilities include supporting corporate body utilizing genesis,
Smith & Gardner, Sequel server and Front-end applications. Documented policy and schedules for system
developers and computer operations. Reinstated change control procedures. Designed and implemented
help desk facility for user support. Evaluate and negotiate hardware, software and vendor contracts.
Established a call accounting system for reporting purposes. Reorganized network department for a more
efficient response to the user’s needs.
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT 09/1994 to 02/1996
CCN, INC.
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
This health insurance billing Management Company supports multiple insurance companies for billing
processing, payables, receivables, inquiries and so forth. Reporting directly to the manager of information
technology, reviewed, proposed and implemented multi-platform systems and network strategies. Trained
in-house staff on support procedures and problem resolution techniques. Developed migration strategies
for DEC/VAX to HP 3000/967 platform. Incorporated multiple HP’s into existing DEC/VAX – Novell
network. Resolved major network issues surrounding communication protocol and file transfer
mechanisms.
PAY USA
MANAGER OF THECHNOLOGY
Research and design of disaster recovery plan for corporate and remote facilities to include active hot-site
system. Network included voice and data over frame relay (ISDN). Hp-3000/937 system administration
responsibilities included upgrade of all operating systems from 4.0 to 5.9 and upgrade of 3rd
party software
including data comm. Database administration and management using DB-General. Systems performance
monitoring and fine-tuning using SOS-3000. Systems, networks and applications documentation. Support
of end-users providing problem resolution and management to extract data utilizing appropriate software,
i.e., Easy Reporter, Report Writer and Query.
HEALTH NET
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION / BUSINESS ANALYST
Translated business requirements into I.S. requests utilizing MSI system, Supertool and Query. Overall
system administration and light supervisory duties to include database administration and management
utilizing ADAGER and DB-GENERAL. Vendor management and correlation of vendor support
activities.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER, INC. 12/1993 to 08/1994
MANAGER OF COMPUTER OPERATIONS
3. This movie entertainment company produces national and international films, television shows and home
video releases with an excess of 1200 employees. Reporting directly to the director of information
technology, managed department and staff in a mixed platform environment of AS400, PRIME 5340,
HP3000/917,957,967, HP 9000 and eleven Novell servers supporting corporate body utilizing McCormick
& Dodge, J.D. Edwards, BP99, TRIAD (HP Image) and FoxPro software. Implemented documentation
policies and standards for systems development and computer operations. Updated and reinstituted change
control procedures. Designed and implemented help desk facilities and operations standards for user
support. Developed staff job descriptions and decreased overtime while increasing maximum staff
productivity. Evaluated hardware and software demos. Established solid foundation for branch migration
from mainframe to HP 3000 / 967 platform.
MONARCH KNITS & SPORTSWEAR 06/1992 to 06/1993
M.I.S. MANAGER
This apparel manufacturer produces private label clothing and has over 100 employees. Reporting to the
vice president of operations, managed department operating an hp3000/937 utilizing Silton software.
Supported 30 users with 10 terminals, 10 PC’s, and a Novell network. Developed a shipping, accounting,
and EDI system. Established a forms inventory system, backup and operations procedures, and scheduling
system. Set goals and objectives for each position in the MIS department. Installed Novell 3.11 network
for MICRO DYNMIC users. Installed LANtastic network for accounting users. Trained and assisted users
in the use of PC hardware and software (MSDOS, WordPerfect, and LOTUS 123).
STYLE-LAND INC. 12/1987 to 11/1992
OPERATIONS MANAGER
This international apparel manufacturer produces PCH clothing and has over 120 employees in the USA.
Reporting to the VP of operations, managed department operating an hp3000/58 utilizing Silton software.
Supported 68 users with 24 terminals, 54 PC’s, and Novell network. Initiated a paradox 4.0 front-end to a
HP-3000 sales reporting system for senior management resulting in the realignment of sales territories
maximizing sales performance and productivity. Established structure for operational procedures and
performed problem resolution on all systems. Installed Novell 3.0 network and EDI for order receiving.
Trained and assisted user in the use of PC hardware and software.
ALL AMERICAN GOURMET 01/1990 to 11/1993
MIS CONSULTANT
This international food company produces frozen gourmet dinners and has over 1000 employees in the
USA. Reporting to the MIS manager. Performed program modifications and appropriate testing for the
HP3000/68 and IBM AS400.
STARS TO GO INC. 06/1986 to 12/1987
PROGRAMMER
This video distribution company distributed videos t over 4500 stores around USA, and has over 1200
employees. Reporting to programming manager performed programming and support for production
utilized powerhouse system on HP-3000/70, 68, 58 and 48.
P.B & S CHEMICAL CO. 03/1984 to 06/1986
OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
This chemical manufacturer produces chemical products and has over 120 employees. Reporting to the
MIS manager, performed daily operation activities on HP3000/ 68 and NCR 8540. project manager for
conversion from NCR 8450 to HP3000/68 and training all personnel on using DS line and HP system.
EDUCATION
Oracle DBA Master’s Program 1997
Familiarization option 11-80 Nortell 1996
Window NT 1995
IBM-AS400 operation/security 1993
Novell Network Management, Dos operation and PC hardware 1989
Micro Software: WordPerfect, Lotus and Quattro Pro. 1989
4. Powerhouse Advance Classes 1986
HP System Management 1985
A.S., Data Processing 1985
B.A., Child Psychology 1975
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST