Gregory Baran, MBA, PMP, ITIL
Executive Technology Leader | Driving Growth Through AI, Innovation & Digital Transformation
Baltimore–Washington Metro
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Executive Profile
CIO-level technology executive with 20+ years of progressive IT leadership and senior executive responsibility for IT strategy, infrastructure, operations, security, and innovation in complex, multi-site organizations. Proven ability to align technology initiatives with business objectives, drive digital transformation, and deliver large-scale programs that improve operational efficiency and support significant revenue growth.
Experience spans ERP and supply chain environments, global SaaS and cybersecurity, data and analytics, and AI and automation. Skilled at building and leading 100+ person distributed technology teams, implementing ITSM practices and SLAs, maturing cybersecurity and risk management functions, and optimizing budgets through vendor management, offshoring, and automation.
Led enterprise-wide technology strategies, ERP and distribution transformations, and AI-enabled modernization programs that support $1B+ growth ambitions, multi-site supply chain operations, and distributed teams of 100+ technologists.
20+
Years of IT Leadership
100+
Team Members Led
336%
Revenue Growth Enabled
$40M+
Business Transformation
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
Technology Strategy & Innovation
Defined and executed enterprise-wide IT and AI strategies that positioned technology as a central enabler of growth and operational agility. Led digital transformation across ERP/financial systems, CRM, HCM, analytics, eCommerce/portal channels, and customer-facing digital experiences to support ~336% revenue growth and a successful IPO.
Distribution, ERP & Supply Chain
Led SAP ERP and warehouse/distribution application delivery across multiple distribution centers. Improved inventory accuracy to ~98%, reduced order cycle times by ~20%, and improved on-time deliveries. Managed multi-site distribution and supply chain systems supporting billions in annual revenue.
Team Leadership & Talent
Built and led distributed technology organizations of more than 100+ internal and external professionals across U.S. and international locations. Fostered high-performance cultures through talent acquisition, coaching, performance management, and leadership development.
AI & Automation Excellence
Designed and led company-wide AI strategy, AI Council, and AI governance framework. Implemented AI and automation across commercial and internal operations, achieving ~90% automation of key processes, delivering thousands of hours of annual productivity gains.
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Operated for years in ISO, SOC 2, and SOX environments, partnering with and leading Security to build and mature cybersecurity capabilities. Led IT risk management and vendor risk processes, ensuring comprehensive protection of sensitive data and adherence to regulatory expectations.
Data & Analytics
Rationalized application portfolios to reduce complexity and improve ROI, integrating ERP, CRM, and data platforms into a cohesive enterprise architecture. Implemented data management and analytics capabilities that provided a single source of truth.
AI Applications Portfolio
Gregory Baran has a proven track record of designing and deploying innovative AI solutions that drive tangible business value. These practical applications leverage cutting-edge machine learning to enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and unlock new growth opportunities across various functions.
Predictive Sales Forecasting
Developed an AI model for advanced sales forecasting, analyzing market trends and historical data to achieve 90%+ accuracy. This optimized inventory, reduced overstocking costs by 15%, and informed strategic business planning.
Automated Invoice Processing
Developed an AI-driven solution for automated invoice data extraction and processing. This reduced manual data entry by 80%, accelerated payment cycles, and significantly reallocated staff time to higher-value tasks.
Intelligent Customer Service Assistant
Deployed an AI-powered virtual assistant handling routine customer inquiries, boosting first-contact resolution rates by 25%. This improved customer satisfaction while reducing call center volume and operational costs.
Smart Document Classification & Routing
Built an AI system that automatically classifies and routes incoming documents (contracts, invoices, support tickets) to appropriate departments. This reduced processing time by 70%, improved accuracy to 95%+, and enabled faster response times across the organization.
These projects were developed independently, not affiliated with any employer.
Professional Experience
1
Tenable, Inc. – Deputy CIO
Apr 2022 – Present
Strategic executive leader responsible for enterprise IT strategy, digital transformation, AI and automation, infrastructure, operations, cybersecurity, vendor management, and IT financials across a global, multi-site organization.
  • Defined and executed enterprise IT and AI strategies aligned with corporate growth objectives
  • Designed and launched company-wide AI strategy, AI Council, and AI governance framework
  • Led digital transformation supporting ~336% revenue growth and 162% headcount growth
  • Implemented automation achieving ~90% of key commercial processes
  • Reduced annual IT spend by ~$2M through rationalization and optimization
2
Tenable, Inc. – VP, Business Platforms
2016 – Mar 2022
Led Business Platforms organization, overseeing the company's digital transformation program to support sustained revenue and customer growth.
  • Reduced quota delivery time by up to 5 months, accelerating sales readiness
  • Shifted portfolio from 86% Run to 35% Run / 65% Grow-Transform
  • Improved sales order-to-cash booking times by 96%
  • Led technology due diligence for three acquisitions valued by $220M+ combined
  • Contributed to IPO readiness with only 2 control deficiencies out of ~60 ITGC controls
3
Corporate Executive Board – Head of IT Business Applications
2014 – 2016
A part of a global $40M+ business transformation and led all business systems and software operations for an advisory firm with 54 offices worldwide.
  • Consolidated three Salesforce orgs into one unified platform
  • Integrated two finance systems into Workday Financials
  • Improved team efficiency by ~25% within three months using Agile practices
4
Cision (formerly Vocus, Nasdaq: VOCS) – Director, Enterprise Applications
2013 – 2014
Brought in to modernize enterprise applications for a SaaS-based PR software company.
  • Implemented the company's first enterprise HCM/HRIS and payroll system in nine months, creating a single employee system of record
  • Replaced legacy ERP with NetSuite and integrated it with Salesforce CRM, improving quote-to-cash visibility and reducing manual reconciliation
  • Led a "signature" implementation that shortened the sales cycle by ~20% through better process design and system integration
  • Partnered with the private equity owner post-acquisition to consolidate software, cutting IT spend by ~30% while maintaining/improving service levels
5
Laureate Education – Business Intelligence
2011 – 2013
Recruited to turn around an underperforming BI function for a global higher-education provider (28 countries).
  • Cut report volume by 50% via self-service BI and standardized dashboards; reduced demand on central IT while improving insight access
  • Established a BA team, SLAs, and new processes, delivering ~$1.1M in savings
  • Rolled out ITIL-based incident/change management, reducing incident backlog by 90% and saving ~$150K annually
  • Created cross-functional "super user" groups (Marketing, Enrollment, Operations, Finance), generating ~$36K in annual savings and improving local ownership
  • Streamlined reporting infrastructure by 25% by consolidating four external data marts into a single enterprise data warehouse
6
The Charmer Sunbelt Group – Director
2000 – 2011
Oversaw development, enhancement, and implementation of enterprise information systems for a multibillion-dollar CPG distributor of top brand alcoholic beverages.
  • Led four end-to-end SAP implementations across distribution centers
  • Improved inventory accuracy to ~98%, reduced order cycle times by ~20%
  • Enabled company growth from $2.9B to $4.6B in revenue
Core Competencies & Credentials
Technology Expertise
Technology Strategy & Digital Transformation • Business-IT Alignment • Growth Enablement • ERP & Supply Chain Platforms (SAP, Workday, Microsoft Dynamics 365) • Warehouse & Distribution Systems • Order-to-Cash & Fulfillment Optimization • eCommerce & B2B/B2C Portals
Data & Innovation
Data Management & Data Governance • Business Intelligence & Reporting (Azure, Tableau) • Advanced Analytics • AI & Automation Strategy • AI Governance & Risk Management • Enterprise Architecture • Infrastructure & Cloud Computing
Operations & Security
IT Operations • ITIL/ITSM • ServiceNow • SLAs, Dashboards & Scorecards • Cybersecurity Strategy • ISO • SOC 2 • SOX • Vendor & Third-Party Risk • Regulatory Compliance
Education
Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
BS in Management Information Systems
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Certifications
  • PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • ITIL v3 Foundation
  • Deloitte US Next Generation CIO Academy
Leadership Attributes
Executive & Board-Level Communication • C-Suite Collaboration • Talent Management & Leadership Development • Change Management • Portfolio & Program Management • Budgeting & Cost Optimization • Offshoring & Resource Leverage
Ready to drive transformational technology outcomes for your organization. Let's discuss how strategic IT leadership can accelerate your growth objectives.