Real-World Degrees: Mastering to Mentoring

"Bridging Business Strategy and AI with Clarity and Confidence - early adoption with caution!"

As part of my commitment to continuous learning and responsible leadership in the digital age, I completed Andrew Ng’s "AI For Everyone" course through DeepLearning.AI. This program demystified artificial intelligence, breaking it down into practical, non-technical concepts that any business leader can apply. It clarified the difference between hype and reality, helping me understand what AI can—and cannot—do. More importantly, it equipped me to lead AI-powered initiatives with clarity and confidence.
The course emphasized cross-functional collaboration, ethical implementation, and a human-first approach to AI integration—principles that now guide my work as I champion data-driven transformation. Whether evaluating automation opportunities at Farmers Insurance FCU or supporting tech adoption at JP Business Solutions, I draw on this foundation to align AI strategy with real business value and empower teams through change.

"genuine interest, active listening, and building meaningful connections"

Early in my career, Standard Register provided me with Dale Carnegie Training, specifically the renowned course on "How to Win Friends and Influence People," to help grow my management and leadership skills. This program sharpened my ability to communicate effectively, lead with confidence, and build strong professional relationships, which became essential as I advanced into IT strategy, data governance, and enterprise leadership.

The principles I learned—active listening, persuasive communication, and fostering collaboration—have been invaluable in managing cross-functional teams, vendor negotiations, and stakeholder engagement throughout my career. Whether leading digital transformations at JP Business Solutions and Sapphire Business Solutions or driving data automation at Farmers Insurance FCU, I’ve applied these strategies to influence, innovate, and drive meaningful change in every organization I’ve worked with.

"Six Sigma is a quality program that, when all is said and done, improves your customer’s experience, lowers your costs, and builds better leaders."  

~ Jack Welch CEO of GE

While at Standard Register, I was selected for Six Sigma Black Belt training, an intensive two-week program designed to master process optimization, waste reduction, and data-driven decision-making. Six Sigma is a methodology focused on eliminating defects and inefficiencies, using DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) to create repeatable, high-quality processes that drive business success.

Beyond theory, Six Sigma embeds Lean principles and 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) into daily operations, ensuring organized, efficient, and continuously improving workflows. This structured approach not only streamlines production and service delivery but also enhances team collaboration, accountability, and long-term sustainability. The training culminated in a $1,000,000 bottom-line cost savings plan, solidifying my ability to apply Six Sigma to real-world business challenges—a skillset I’ve carried into IT strategy, data automation, and enterprise transformation throughout my career.

It all Started here!

After completing my General Education requirements at Consumnes River College and American River College in Sacramento, I pursued specialized training at MTI Western Business College in Downtown Sacramento. From August 2, 1992, to April 2, 1993, I committed to eight-hour days of intensive coursework, earning my certificate in computer applications and design. This hands-on education led to my first role in technology at Postal Services Incorporated as a Designer. There, I gained real-world experience in print production and digital design within the Print and Mail division, which was later acquired by Standard Register. This transition set the stage for my deeper training in data management, automation, and enterprise technology, launching my journey from learner to leader in IT and data strategy. 

Data Manipulation: DBA, ETL, Gui Interface, End User Experience, AB Testing and data normalization

At Standard Register in the 1990s, I sharpened my programming skills by merging data using VB2, .NET, and even MegaBasic, often developing our own systems rather than relying on off-the-shelf solutions. We built and optimized custom data platforms, leveraging Adobe tools and evaluating million-dollar software packages—only to realize that our in-house solutions were often more efficient.

After Standard Register, I mastered VBA while working at QuickSort and PixelMagic, and have used it extensively ever since. As a low-cost yet powerful tool embedded in Microsoft, VBA became the backbone of production workflows at QuickSort, PixelMagicPrinting, JP Business Solutions, and Sapphire Business Solutions. It also played a major role in data pipelines and automation at Farmers Insurance FCU, enabling process efficiency, automation, and real-time reporting without the overhead of third-party software. This hands-on, problem-solving approach cemented my expertise in automation, data integration, and enterprise IT strategy.

Creative Design: Venctor and Rasterized graphics, Illustrations, every flavor and format

In the 1990s, I started with CorelDraw, mastering its vector design capabilities before transitioning to Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and the full Adobe suite as digital design evolved. These tools became essential in print production, marketing collateral, and automation workflows, enabling high-quality, scalable design solutions for enterprise clients.

During my tenure at JP Business Solutions and Sapphire Business Solutions, my team and I leveraged Adobe Cloud to develop web-based collateral templates for B2B clients. Using the SaaS platform PageDNA, we built customized digital storefronts, streamlining print collateral management and fulfillment. This fusion of Adobe's powerful design tools and automated SaaS solutions helped businesses efficiently manage their branding, print materials, and marketing assets at scale.

What it means to me: Ensuring structured, compliant, and high-quality data environments for informed decision-making and operational efficiency. 

At The Standard Register Company, I first encountered data classification and ownership policies, ensuring compliance with regulations while managing large-scale enterprise data flows. At QuickSort/Roadrunner, I refined data integrity and tracking mechanisms, integrating multiple production systems for real-time reporting and governance oversight.

At PixelMAGICPrinting.com, I focused on data quality assurance, automating reporting workflows to reduce redundancies and ensure accurate cost tracking across multiple locations. At JP Business Solutions, I implemented data classification frameworks, auditing procedures, and data subject rights management to enhance accountability and compliance with GDPR and CCPA across a growing IT infrastructure.

At Sapphire Business Solutions, I led governance efforts to align data collection and retention policies with international compliance standards, ensuring proper handling of personally identifiable information (PII) and consumer consent records.

Most recently, at Farmers Insurance FCU (3 years), I developed enterprise-wide data governance policies, implementing a centralized SQL data lake and Power BI dashboards to improve data accuracy, integrity, and reporting consistency. These efforts have helped organizations create scalable, structured data environments that align with operational and regulatory requirements.

What it means to me: Protecting sensitive information through compliance-driven security frameworks and advanced threat mitigation. 

At The Standard Register Company (9 years), I ensured compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and GLBA, implementing access controls, load balancing, and contingency plans across data centers.

At QuickSort/Roadrunner (2 years), I enforced role-based access controls (RBAC) and centralized reporting security. At PixelMAGICPrinting.com (5 years), I improved encryption and automated workflows to enhance system security.

At JP Business Solutions (9 years), I implemented GDPR and CCPA compliance measures, including encryption, MFA, and security audits to protect consumer data.

At Sapphire Business Solutions (1.5 years), I ensured compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and PCI-DSS, enhancing data retention, disposal, and breach detection policies.