Ben McLendon
A Unique Perspective on Technology Innovation
VP of IT | Championing Business Growth & Operational Efficiency through Strategic Technological Innovation
About Me
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, my career has been a testament to the transformative power of innovation and strategic foresight and a deeply held belief in the importance of understanding the human condition through philosophy and the intricacies of the mind through neuroscience. With decades of experience leading IT in multiple industries, culminating in my role as Vice President of Information Technology at RISE, I have led initiatives that drove operational excellence and paved the way for groundbreaking advancements, always with an eye toward the ethical implications and human-centric approaches informed by my diverse interests.
My journey in technology is intertwined with a passion for exploring the deeper questions of existence and the cognitive processes that underlie human behavior and decision-making. This unique blend of interests has enriched my leadership style, fostering an environment where innovation is driven not just by technical prowess but by a comprehensive understanding of human needs and ethical considerations.
As I look towards future roles as SVP, CTO, or CIO, I am excited about the potential to leverage AI and other groundbreaking technology solutions in ways that advance organizational goals and consider their impact on society and individual well-being. My vision is to lead teams and organizations toward technological breakthroughs that are not only innovative but also ethically grounded and philosophically informed.
Let's connect and explore how we can create technology solutions that are advanced, humane, and reflect our shared values.
Military Service: USAF 1984-1993
A foundational experience.
Entering the USAF in one of the most technically complex career fields, Electronic Warfare, was a perfect fit. With an unheard-of 'nearly perfect score' through a year-long course, the commander sent my mother an amazing letter highlighting my unusual success in the difficult course. I was on my way to being a "fast burner."
My Book Suggestions
Here are a few book suggestions from my reading list.
- Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
- Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins
- Twelve and a Half - Gary Vaynerchuk
- Crazy Is a Complement - Linda Rottenberg
- Atomic Habits - James Clear
- A Thousand Brains - Jeff Hawkins
- Abundance - Steven Kotler & Peter H. Diamandis
- Range - David Epstein
- The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*CK - Mark Manson
- The Wisdom of the Bullfrog - Admiral William H. McRaven
Connect With Me
Skills
Hard Skills, AKA Technical Skills
- Artificial intelligence: Prompt writing, API Integration
- Back-end development: PHP, Laravel
- Backup and recovery
- Batch processing: Unix, Linux, Windows Shell Scripting
- Cloud architecture: Azure, Digital Ocean, AWS
- Cloud management
- Cloud migration: Microsoft to Google
- Customer support
- Cybersecurity: Firewalls/Gateways, End Point Protection, Email, Audits, Vulnerability Detection, Policy Development
- Data migration
- Database administration
- Debugging
- Deploying applications in a cloud environment
- Encryption
- Experience with types of hardware
- Front-end development
- Graphic design
- Information systems
- Integration of open source technologies: Linux, NGINX, PHP, MySQL, Others
- IT management
- Network architecture
- Network security
- Network setup
- Operating systems
- Programming languages
- Project management
- Service Desk
- Software
- Software development
- SQL software
- Systems Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- User experience design
- User interface design
- Workflow automation
Soft Skills, AKA Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication: In-person, Virtual Meetings, Public Speaking
- Confidence
- Conflict resolution
- Creativity: See avocation skills below.
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
- Dedication
- Delegation
- Dependability
- Empathy
- Energy
- Enthusiasm
- Feedback
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Listening
- Management
- Mentorship
- Motivation
- Observation
- Organization
- Patience
- Problem-solving
- Productivity
- Research abilities
- Resilience
- Resourcefulness
- Supervision
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Troubleshooting
- Work ethic
- Written communication: Concise and effective via email, blog posts, social media posts.
Avocation Skills
- Photography: Capture & Postproduction
- Videography: Shooting & Editing
- Graphic Arts: Logos, ADs, print layouts, etc.
- Woodworking: Traditional & CNC
- CAD/CAM: Carbide Create, Lightburn
- 3D Modeling: Shapr3d
- 3D Printing: Experienced printing multiple polymer types and adept at optimizing designs for the 3D printing process.
- Musician: Bass Guitar, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion