An executive with experience building organizations and forming result driven improvements in process and structure. A Technology leader that has proven capabilities in managing company operations and practical proficiency directing and succeeding in complex implementations in Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail and Private Label. Senior executive who has worked in multiple industries aligning technology goals with business objectives and is adept at developing strategies that promote a shared corporate vision, fostering teamwork and collaboration, and building strong internal and external relationships to drive organizational success and growth. Dedicated, results-driven leader with exceptional technical, problem solving, and written/verbal communication skills as well as a proven track record of delivering comprehensive, multi-disciplined projects on time and within budget. Significant initiatives have led to substantial proven growth in revenue and an excess of $10MM in savings since inception. Applications rolled out and in development include Financials, Costing, Production Floor Automation, Material Handling, Inventory and WMS, Labor and Cost Reduction, Forecasting and BI Analysis. I have successfully managed multiple large and complex projects and am responsible for all IT operations for three facilities including our corporate manufacturing HQ in New Jersey, manufacturing facilities in Napa California and our Las Vegas Nevada DS. Included in my responsibilities are capital improvements and operating budgets, retaining staff, daily business technology continuance, business process analysis and refinement.

CIO /CSO @ From July 2010 to Present (5 years 4 months) Chief Information Officer @ Cultivate and institute methodology for technology and related operating policies. Develop value propositions and information technology strategy and ensure policies and programs are carried out and maintained. Recruit, train, manage, and evaluate staff focusing on high customer satisfaction. Create and implement appropriate enterprise security measures to proactively protect enterprise assets. Evaluate and approve new technologies verifying value proposition ensuring solution stability, viability and durability. Responsible for development, review, design, certification and implementation of new applications and modifications to existing solutions. Accountable for infrastructure, IT processes and policies, documentation, disaster recovery, business continuity plan, risk and change management. From June 2008 to July 2010 (2 years 2 months) VP Technology & Business Process Reengineering @ Management responsibilities included IT department staff, outsourced technology partners, manage departmental budgets, business continuity assurance, information security, risk assessments and prevention, threat mitigation and disaster recovery preparedness. Network architecture and design, telecommunications, regulations and compliance. Constant review of business needs with line of business managers, including capital and operating budgets, short and long term project plans, staff, daily issues and special projects. Developed, planned and implemented proprietary Process Automation software application. Managed Microsoft Dynamics-AX ERP system project. Implemented HP EVA 4000 Storage Area Networks and Blade infrastructure, VMware / Virtual Desktop, replaced 80% of legacy Desktop systems with HP Thin Clients. Datacenter: Ground up construction of NOC and Datacenter with dedicated HVAC and power redundant systems. From February 2001 to May 2008 (7 years 4 months) Chief Information Officer @ Chaired the committee to evaluate and implement ERP system working with SAP, JD Edwards, Oracle and Ernst and Young. Researched and documented corporate workflows and procedures collaborating with Business Line Managers to develop best business practices. Created, tested and implemented Disaster Recovery Plan and preparedness ready drills. Successfully implemented a company wide web based Knowledge Management system to address customer product support and call center development issues. Headed Web Development and New Media Group building corporate intranet and extranet linking disparate backend legacy systems including the implementation of web co-locations in cooperation with Level-3 Communications. Rebuilt entire IT infrastructure replacing legacy systems and building new information systems and support structure. Implementation policy and procedures for Y2K Compliance Committee successfully bringing the entire organization to Y2K compliance on time and under budget. From 1997 to 2000 (3 years) Interim Director of Information Services @ Provided leadership to the IS staff; directed daily user support; researched and planned migration and growth strategies; and recommended/implemented network operating systems and related hardware. Reported to the CFO on a weekly basis. Worked with diverse client personnel, including executives, management, engineers, and production technicians. Oversaw projects such as MS Office 97 migration, enterprise backup for NetWare and NT servers/user workstations, Internet access, enterprise virus protection, digital photo distribution, desktop faxing, and paperless office automation. • Selected to serve as Interim Director of IS; allowed the company to operate with zero disruption and was instrumental in establishing a well-run, well-documented, procedure-based, and streamlined enterprise. From March 1997 to August 1997 (6 months) Sr. Systems Engineer @ Rollout implementation of MS Exchange client and migration of users from legacy mail to MS Exchange. Installed & Configured DT on NT on Netware clients, Netscape Browser, Extra, Onnet TCP/IP, FTP, Winframe, and VP’s Remote Laptops. From 1996 to 1996 (less than a year) Design Center Technology Manager @ Headed the PC/DDS that was in charge of all PC based networking operations supporting over 350 users daily. Resolved average of 80 calls per week including user training, desktop issues and corrupt protocol stack. Installed & configured network topology and infrastructure and ran server maintenance and unit consolidations. Installation Team Lead for the O.M.N.I. (Order Management Network & Information) Team. Worked with SHL & OMNI team to complete preparatory software installation phase for Mattel proprietary OMNI software. Installed WFWG on over 150 clients, deployed and connected using TCP/IP & IPX over Token Ring on FDDI with inbound T3 connectivity. Installed & configured Extra software for connectivity to AS400. From 1995 to 1996 (1 year)

MS IS (IN PROCESS), Master of Science Information Systems - CISSP @ Peirce From 2010 to 2015 Master Culinary Professional, Master Culinary Professional @ The Institute of Culinary EducationCNE3, Certified NetWare Engineer 3.12 @ Infotec CNE3CNE5, Certified NetWare Engineer 5 @ Infotec CNE5 Arie Lax is skilled in: Program Management, Vendor Management, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Microsoft SQL Server, IT Strategy, IT Management, Integration, ITIL, IT Operations, IT Service Management, Enterprise Architecture, VMware, Security, Project Management, Six Sigma, Data Center, Management, Telecommunications, Disaster Recovery, ERP, Business Intelligence, Networking, Leadership, Outsourcing, Process Improvement, Software Documentation, Enterprise Software, Business Analysis, Change Management, Business Continuity, Infrastructure, Servers, Information Technology