IIBA Pittsburgh Chapter Interactive Session
Business Analysis: Feeding America through Business Process Improvement
In August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, testing the compassion and generosity of all Americans. In the aftermath, it was difficult for any of us to envision a recovery for that area.
Americans responded by giving money, sending supplies, and signing up to volunteer. Larry Hokaj, currently an IT Consultant but at the time the CTO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank was called upon by Feeding America, The Nation’s Food Bank Network, to aid in the relief effort.
Larry was assigned to work with two other IT professionals and those remaining staff members at the New Orleans Food Bank in New Orleans, LA, in rebuilding computer infrastructure and redefining the core procedures for recording millions of pounds of food coming in and going out. His experience there was divided between an organization lacking direction and leadership and the same organization transformed to one back on track with a purpose and a mission.
In this interactive session, we’ll explore the Business Analysis discipline during a time of great crisis. Session attendees will have the opportunity to test how their Business Analysis strategies might have played out.
About our Presenter:
Larry Hokaj is an independent IT Consultant and owner of Computer Allies which has been providing IT services since 1993. Larry says: “My extensive experience in leveraging IT for invididuals, non-profits, for-profit organizations, schools, school districts, and universities has allowed me to develop a unique skillset and the ability to create IT strategies from multiple business unit perspectives.”
And about his experience in New Orleans: “In 2005, I was one of three IT professionals dispatched to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We were in charge of rebuilding the entire New Orleans Food Bank IT infrastructure and remodeling all their shipping/receiving processes. That food bank normally distributed 17 million pounds of food a year. After Katrina, they distributed 19 million pounds in the first three months after the hurricane.”
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CHAPTER MEETING SPONSOR:
