Thank you for visiting! Below are a few words to help you get to know me better, and what I can do for your organization. If you're interested in working together, please don't hesitate to contact me.
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My professional journey has seen many duties across Operations, Sales, Technology, and Finance, which has given me a deep understanding of how enterprises work. This understanding of technology and leadership allows me to drive revenue growth with a solid close rate, to direct comprehensive IT initiatives and line up the vision of the business with technology to achieve operational, revenue, and cost mitigation goals. I focus on strategic innovation and effective execution, bringing together people across the organization, managing change, and helping organizations streamline their operations.
I’ve led teams through complex transitions, introduced advanced security measures, and worked closely with cross-functional groups to ensure that technological solutions not only met requirements but also drove operational efficiency while being cost-conscious. My ability to understand client needs, develop customized solutions, and build strong, experience-driven relationships has been key to my success.
Moreover, I thrive in dynamic settings where change management is critical. I’ve successfully managed large-scale IT projects, overseen departmental transitions, and consistently introduced innovative solutions that enhanced operational capabilities, security, and helped to establish or enhance service lines and revenue.
I've served across various industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace, which has equipped me with a versatile skill set and a proactive approach to problem-solving. I believe in being a servant leader, and find no job below me, which brings the capability to speak to all levels of an organization and foster alignment with a shared technology-assisted operational vision.
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I believe that as much as the experience matters, so does the person. The right fit can meld into the culture, and a decent personality. Below is a little bit of personal detail to help you understand who I am when I'm not at work.
I am a grateful husband to a wife of over ten years with three wonderful children: Isabel, Liam, and Iris. We share our home with a golden retriever, Penny, and reside in Tiffin, IA. Although I'm from Iowa, I will probably make the joke that I still see myself as a Chicagoan, and for anyone from Chicago that could call me out - a northern Illinois burbs guy.
I grew up near the Wisconsin border in a small town and have pretty much been associated with tech since I was six years old. At one point though I attempted to deviate from that path, initially, when I went to college for Philosophy. Quickly I learned that although enriching, neither philosophy nor my primary extra-curricular interest in photography, would pay the bills. At which point I returned home and started a business providing B2B tech services for local companies. Although mildly successful for a young person, life has a way of taking you places - good ones too - if you let it. Which is how I found myself with experience in a NIST traceable laboratory, sales, which ultimately lead to my path into manufacturing and engineer-to-order experience, aerospace, IT Director, and nowadays a Solutions Engineer (which feels a lot like IT Director, minus the sustainment activities).
When my spouse, Kristin, finished her doctorate in Clinical Psychology I wanted to move out West again. She applied to positions all over the Southwest, West Coast, and of course the University of Iowa in Iowa City. You can guess where she got her first job offer out of college! So technically, yes, we moved west of something!
We've essentially been making out home and enjoying the hectic life of being parents in Iowa since 2017. We frequently have neighbors over for fun and Pizza - which happens to be another passion of mine (Chicago).
Fun fact: I have cooked over 900 pizzas in the last 4 years, all at home, and all on the inspiration of making a true Chicago thin crust/tavern style pie that I can enjoy just like what I grew up with. And I nailed it... on about pizza 890! Also, for the record, I did not eat all of them, usually I was feeding friends and neighbors, sometimes even delivering pies in pizza boxes I had bought just for the purpose!
All that being said, a few other hobbies have still stuck around and grown along with me, including photography. Cooking. And construction. I frequently fill my nights and weekends taking pictures, building things, and making good food to share!
At work I'm serious about results, but you'll also find that I'm easy going, flexible, have a sense of humor, and consistently try to stay forward facing. I think that what I've found is good balance and a sense of peace while still maintaining a drive and passion for my work.
- Conner Heider