RICHARD F.

HOBSON
706 N. Harrison Ave. Cary, NC 27513 919-805-3971
www.hobsonstrategicvision.com rh6a2036@westpost.net
www.linkedin.com/in/richhobson
TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT- PRODUCT MANAGEMENT- IT MANAGEMENT-
SENIOR CONSULTANT
PROFILE
Talented and accomplished IT management professional with extensive
record of success in product management, business development,
service delivery, systems implementation, and more. Expertise in
leading development, delivery, and marketing of software and
hardware, working with clients to determine needs, and facilitating
sales efforts. Excellent leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving
skills.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
IT Operations- Product Management- Project/Program Management-
Business Analyst
System Implementation- Marketing & Sales- Requirements
Determination -Presentations
Budget/Cost Control- Consulting- Staff & User Training-
Relationship Management
Negotiations- Process Improvement- Solution Development-
Restructuring- Product Design
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HOBSON STRATEGIC VISION LLC, Cary, NC 1984 - Present
OWNER / SENIOR CONSULTANT
Established firm to provide technology and management services for
educational institutions, small businesses, and non-profits. Work
with clients to identify needs and develop effective solutions. The
company is a Microsoft Partner and Microsoft Small Business
Specialist firm.
*
Led conceptualization, design, and development of innovative
products for education sector.
*
Developed highly effective marketing plans that increased enrollment
in client programs.
*
Planned and directed complex market research project for major
education software manufacturer. Analyzed data and provided
recommendations.
*
 Won software development contract with education software
manufacturer. Designed suite of fundraising applications that went on
to dramatically increase client's revenues.
*
Revitalized organizational operations for clients through strategic
planning.
*
Researched and secured partners for software and hardware products.
*
Led development, selection, and implementation of systems and
database for clients.

JENZABAR, INC., Cincinnati, OH 1995 - 2003

IMPLEMENTATION CONSULTANT (1998-2003)
Carried out project management, software implementation, customer
training, and system customization for clients of leading provider of
enterprise software/services for education sector.
*
Achieved 80% repeat business by producing high levels of customer
satisfaction.
*
Successfully leading business process re-engineering for clients.
*
Reduced number of project delays by improving technical
communications with clients.
*
Completed all projects ahead of schedule, within budget, and above
clients' expectations.

PRODUCT MANAGER, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT SOFTWARE (1995-1998)

Oversaw development and delivery of fundraising systems for higher
education clients. Supervised 4 programmers, 1 QA specialist, and 1
documentation specialist. Mentored junior product managers.
* Achieved customer buy-in by leading nationwide study to identify
clients' fundraising requirements and incorporate needs into product
design.
*
Delivered 85% of forecasted product development costs for new
software applications by creating and leading advanced sales project
that garnered client financial commitments.
*
 Improved efficiency by modernizing legacy UNIX system products to
GUI/Windows.
*
Awarded special recognition for Product Management Excellence by
Company's President.

BALDWIN PIANO & ORGAN CO., Cincinnati, OH 1989 - 1995

PRODUCT MANAGER, EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND MARKETING
Directed hardware and software development for company's Music Lab
System, including instructional software and networking systems.
Managed technology and marketing for Ford Motor Company Educational
Development group music education program.
*
Produced $600,000 in sales by successfully enrolling 1,800 Ford
employees nationwide.
*
Achieved sales of >50 systems to public education markets by
identifying new markets.
*
Increased sales by establishing elite dealer network and wholesale
sales operation that included sales and technical training and direct
sales support. Exceeded quotas.
*
Developed brand awareness for _Debut Music Systems_(tm) educational
product line.
THOMAS MORE COLLEGE, Crestview Hills, KY 1986 - 1989
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Oversaw three
department heads (Development, Alumni Affairs, and Marketing/PR) and
6 support staff members. Increased corporate giving 25%. Managed $4M
capital campaign.
EDUCATION
MASTERS DEGREE, Rice University, Houston, TX. Dean's List Student.
BACHELORS DEGREE, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. Dean's
List Student.

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), MS Dynamics CRM
(Certification in Progress), Xerox Professional Selling Skills,
Program Planning, Proposal Writing, Business Management, Marketing,
Computer Networking, Application Development, Database
Administration, Educational Administration
 TECHNICAL SKILLS
Windows, Windows Server, Linux, Mac OS, Visual Studio 2008,
Dreamweaver CS4, MS Office, MS Project, Visio, JavaScript, SQL-TSQL,
Visual Basic, ASP, ASP.NET, SQL Server, MS Dynamics CRM, various
proprietary databases and applications, network design/support, PC
build & repair
AFFILIATIONS
Microsoft Partner Program
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

Complete list of speaking engagements available on request