Knowledge Management
ERP Implementation
Helping build people into leaders
Welcome to the story of my professional journey, a tale of transformation, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. This timeline captures the essence of my career, highlighting the experiences and lessons that have shaped me into the leader I am today. Buckle up, as we rewind through my career, showcasing the milestones that have defined my path.
I believe that real-world experiences and continuous education are the cornerstones of a well-rounded consultant. This timeline not only showcases my professional achievements but also underscores the passion and dedication I bring to every role. Each chapter of my career is a testament to my commitment to driving growth, fostering innovation, and creating lasting impact.
Dr. Bradley Brummel
Director of Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program University of Houston
"Over the past six years, I have had a front seat to observing Sam Harper's development and growth as a professional and as a person. He is a curious, driven, and engaging person who thinks broadly about business strategy and also works closely with anyone willing to accept his help. Sam is uniquely good at meeting individuals where they are and providing them with a roadmap of how they fit within a broader organizational system. He empowers and encourages individuals to take charge of their own work and overcome the hurdles that they are facing. I have seen him bring hope to people in their work roles and watched it carry over into other aspects of their lives. He is authentic in this work because he is doing it himself as well. If your organization is in need of a culture change and wants to benefit from the success and joy that comes from empowering all of the organization's members, then Sam is your guy."
Watson Mills & Design
September 2024 - Present
Schacht Mill Works
A New Chapter: Driving HR, Training & Education at Watson Mills & Schacht Mill Works
Stepping into the role of Human Resources, Training, and Education Director for Watson Mills & Design and Schacht Mill Works has been a pivotal moment, marking a new direction in my career and expanding my impact within the millwork industry. While my background has been rooted in knowledge management, IT strategy, and ERP implementation, this role is centered on developing people, building leadership pipelines, and creating a structured approach to workforce growth.
From day one, our focus has been clear: establishing scalable, high-impact training and HR initiatives that will drive long-term success. Within 180 days, we have successfully laid the groundwork for critical objectives and are on track to deliver the full-year strategy. Alongside this, we have initiated the company’s first-ever department strategic plan, ensuring that HR and training are fully aligned with business goals.
High-Impact Initiatives in Motion:
Leadership & Career Development: We are building structured career pathways with defined pay scales and clear growth expectations, setting the foundation for future leadership.
Training & Onboarding Overhaul: The rollout of Trainual is underway, streamlining knowledge transfer across onboarding, safety programs, and manufacturing roles.
Recruitment & Workforce Development: We have engaged high schools, trade schools, and Pitt State to create a direct pipeline for talent, ensuring future workforce stability.
Operational & Systems Integration: We are refining the company’s use of INNERGY ERP, ensuring a seamless connection between training, operations, and technology.
With high expectations for delivery, these initiatives are set to drive lasting improvements in workforce efficiency, leadership succession, and operational alignment. As we push forward, our commitment remains strong—to develop a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, and ready for the future of millwork.
South Shore Millwork
January 2024 - August 2024
Imagine stepping into a role where the stakes are high, and the potential for impact is immense. That’s exactly what I encountered at South Shore Millwork. As their Knowledge Management Specialist, ERP Implementer, and Information Technology expert, I embarked on a mission to revolutionize their operations.
Transformative Wins:
ERP Implementation: Picture this: replacing an entire ERP system in just three months. Sounds ambitious, right? But we did it, and it was just the beginning.
Data Accuracy: Within six months, our data accuracy soared, earning the trust of the team and paving the way for more efficient management. We turned skeptics into believers.
Forecasting Precision: Three months in, our throughput forecaster is hitting a 95% accuracy mark. Talk about dialing it in!
Purchasing Revolution: The Purchasing Manager went from frustration to triumph, thanks to our streamlined processes and targeted coaching.
Educational Content: We didn’t just stop at operational improvements. We created 15 operational series and over 50 training videos using Tango and Bandicam, making knowledge accessible and engaging.
Engineering Efficiency: The Engineering Manager’s time management woes? Solved. Bandicam and a proactive assistant turned daily tasks into standardized, efficient operations.
Project Management Mastery: Our project managers became ERP ninjas, fully self-reliant and proficient in managing work orders, milestone dates, labor hours, and overall project flow.
In May 2023, I embarked on a new adventure with INNERGY, an ERP solution provider specializing in the millwork industry. My role as a Business Development Professional was to generate leads, transition companies from outdated systems to INNERGY's advanced ERP solutions, and support their journey towards operational excellence.
Sales and System Implementation Successes:
Enterprise Engagement: Joined the team and immediately jumped into action at Ligna, where we explored international market interests and potential.
Client Transition: Successfully transitioned five companies from their legacy systems to INNERGY's ERP solution through in-person visits and an additional five through virtual demonstrations. These transitions were smooth and resulted in significant operational improvements.
Focused Sales Programs: Developed a top 200 list and created tailored sales programs that significantly boosted our reach and impact.
Innovative Solutions: Identified and introduced a new solution to INNERGY that promised revenues exceeding those of the ERP sales alone. This innovative approach opened new avenues for business growth.
Educational Promotion: Emphasized the value of INNERGY’s education programs and business philosophy by promoting influential authors such as Goldratt (The Goal), Kotter (Leading Change), and Wickman (Traction). This holistic approach ensured clients not only adopted the software but also embraced the methodologies for continuous improvement.
INNERGY ERP
May 2023 - December 2023
"I've had the pleasure of working with Sam at INNERGY, and he’s been a valuable team member. His ideas for improving sales processes and his ability to communicate strategies in a clear way have helped boost our team’s productivity. Sam is a natural ‘champion’ who creates a positive work environment and focuses on finding effective solutions to obstacles.
As a sales employee, his organizational skills and customer service were reliable, managing client relationships and motivating the team effectively. He knows the INNERGY software very well and understands the importance of process discipline and workflows. His contributions to our projects were helpful, especially in implementing new business practices and workflow improvements.
Sam is a dedicated and knowledgeable professional who would be a good addition to any team. I recommend him!" - Marc Sanderson INNERGY CEO
Envision a position where the primary challenge is not only to uphold but to revolutionize. This was the reality I stepped into at Island Architectural Woodwork. Serving as their Knowledge Management Specialist, my mission was to rejuvenate the company’s operations and markedly enhance efficiency and productivity across different departments.
Transformative Wins:
Software Implementation: Picture this: implementing the INNERGY software and Office 365 suite to revolutionize the way Drafting, Engineering, and Project Management departments operated. The result? A robust framework for efficiency and collaboration.
Operational Procedures: Developing comprehensive operational procedures for each division ensured that all team members had the necessary knowledge and resources at their fingertips. This fostered a more organized and productive work environment.
Employee Performance Enhancement: Worked closely with the leadership team to boost employee performance by fostering a positive work culture and streamlining the acquisitions process. This led to noticeable improvements in morale and productivity.
Engineering Resources Overhaul: Overhauled the outsourced engineering resources, creating an environment of daily communications that reduced errors and improved delivery dates. By increasing these resources by 100% in 30 days, we relieved the number one bottleneck within four months.
3D Video Technology: Introduced the use of 3D video technology to bridge the gap between job site information and the engineering team. With the ability to see in full 360-degree views, there was never a question that couldn’t be answered about a site condition.
Island Millwork
August 2022 - April 2023
"Working with Sam is a pleasure. He is effortlessly competent, mentally agile, and creates a positive, constructive work environment. Sam focuses on the root causes of obstacles and orchestrates effective direct solutions through knowledge management and process optimization. Sam is an O365 expert. His software skills and leveraging of technology help curve time and maximize team efforts. His knowledge of Architectural Industry-specific software and drawing management helped our organization shave six months off our ERP integration. Sam’s strategic alliances and ability to foster quick and effective vendor partnerships facilitated our success on multiple projects.
Sam quickly added value to our team. I am proud to say that I have learned several value realization and optimization strategies from Sam. These strategies have improved my professional performance and overall efficacy." - Carlos E. Brando Island CIO
Imagine stepping into a role where every challenge is an opportunity for transformation. At FADCO, Inc., I served as the Director of Knowledge Management and Leadership Coaching, working as a cross-functional collaborator and leader. My mission was to identify problems within organizational functions and build innovative solutions to drive enhancements across every division.
Transformative Wins:
Workflow Improvements: Developing workflow diagrams to implement lean, efficient practices into business operations. The result? Reduced defects in customer orders by 70% within six months, yielding $700k in cost savings.
Sales Boost: Collaborating with the Estimating Department to improve process management, leading to a 25% increase in weekly bids with average weekly bid amounts totaling $3 million. This focus on managing the bid opportunity pipeline set record sales in December and January.
Drafting and PM Management: Leading the drafting and PM departments, I managed six projects worth a total of $6 million and directly acquired $1 million in contracts. My past experiences helped champion improvements in business processes and increased employee morale.
Technology Integration: Successfully led the team to fully implement ProjectPAK, ShopPAK, Bluebeam, and Office 365 technologies, streamlining operations and boosting efficiency.
Fadco Millwork
Febraury 2021 - June 2022
"Sam is extremely knowledgeable in business practices and processes within the millwork industry. He worked directly with our upper management team in training and implementing ProjectPak & ShopPak, along with creating business processes to develop a more dynamic and efficient workflow for the company." - Cole Blakley General Manager
"I worked with Sam along with the upper management team at FADCO. Sam is someone that never runs out of ideas when trying to improve a department or process. He is also very knowledgeable when it comes to IT training and implementation. I have learned a lot from working with Sam over the past year." - Ruchi Goyal Engineering and PM Manager (Now head of SDaaS division of INNERGY)
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Sam Harper when we brought him on as an outsourced resource. Sam was instrumental in significantly boosting our team’s performance. Sam’s strategic approach led to a remarkable 25% increase in our weekly bid amounts. his expertise in developing and refining processes was invaluable. Together, we created a comprehensive Sales SOP and enhanced our bid review process, streamlining our operations and improving overall efficiency. Sam also played a pivotal role in identifying our areas of strength. Sam introduced a rating system that helped us prioritize projects based on their alignment with our core competencies and profitability. This strategic approach allowed us to optimize resource allocation and maximize our return on investment. I wholeheartedly recommend Sam Harper as a highly skilled and results-oriented professional.” - Chris Beeman Head of Sales
Stepping into Alert Plumbing as a consultant was like diving into a whirlwind of potential. The challenge was clear: transform partially utilized systems into fully integrated, high-efficiency operations that could skyrocket sales and streamline processes.
Service Fusion Implementation: The field service software, Service Fusion, was initially only being utilized by 40% of the team. Through comprehensive training and process integration, we achieved 100% utilization within 30 days.
GPS Tracking Integration: By installing GPS tracking in service vehicles, we not only improved route planning and reduced fuel costs but also enabled more accurate billing and service call management. This was a game-changer for our operational efficiency.
Revenue Growth: Picture this: seeing billings increase by 25% in just the second month. This trend continued, with monthly sales climbing by an average of 25%. By the end of six months, our billings were set to exceed a 200% increase from the previous year. Talk about a turnaround!
Service Call Management: Introducing a service call manager and an outsourced service call center streamlined our operations and significantly improved customer response times. This not only enhanced our service quality but also contributed to our impressive sales growth.
Accounting and Billing Department: Establishing a dedicated accounting and billing department ensured timely invoicing and payment processing, further boosting our revenue and operational efficiency.
Digital Marketing: We developed a new website and implemented SEO tools to improve our online presence and search engine rankings. Leveraging Google Business Ads and Facebook Ads helped us reach a wider audience and attract new customers. Our comprehensive social media marketing plan further enhanced our brand visibility and engaged with the community in ways we hadn't before.
Marketing and Branding: Working with the owner, we designed and ordered all marketing materials, including promotional items, brochures, trade show booths, billboards, and TV advertisements. These efforts significantly boosted our market presence and brand recognition.
Video SOP Program: We created a video SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) program for onboarding new employees and establishing business standards. This ensured consistency in service delivery and helped new hires quickly get up to speed.
This period at Alert Plumbing was a testament to the power of comprehensive training, strategic planning, and innovative marketing. It set a new standard for field service operations and business growth, proving that with the right strategies and dedication, transformation is not just possible – it’s inevitable.
Alert Plumbing
January 2022 - June 2022
January 2010 - July 2016
VIP Technology Group
January 2018 - June2022
2010 to 2016: Information Technology Manager Initially recruited to lead the computer division, my primary role was as the Help Desk Manager. Overseeing a team of 8 IT support professionals, I quickly adapted to this new environment, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, especially following the economic recession of 2008. My responsibilities included:
Help Desk Efficiency: Implementing process improvements that led to a 200% decrease in help desk ticket resolution time. By proactively managing and assigning tickets based on employee skill sets, we improved overall efficiency.
New Business Development: Working with new salespeople to develop business-to-business contacts, thereby expanding our client base.
Customer Support: Ensuring outstanding technical and non-technical support with a focus on excellent customer service, satisfaction, and timeliness. I also facilitated feedback systems to enhance the quality of support delivered.
"Sam is extremely well organized and was very diligent on ensuring client support tickets were managed efficiently and effectively. His expert knowledge of Office 365 and SharePoint was invaluable to VIP as he effectively assisted clients with their issues and shared his knowledge with our team. Sam's customer service skills are well-honed and beneficial to any company's client base. As the VIP Technology Solutions Group Help Desk Manager, Sam demonstrated the ability to manage customer expectations as well as motivate the team to do their best." - Mark Jackson IT Executive
2018 to June 2022: Consultant and Client Engagement Specialist Returning to VIP Technology Solutions Group in 2018, I took on the role of a contracted client engagement specialist. My focus was on onboarding new clients and performing business development functions. My contributions included:
Revenue Growth: My efforts resulted in an average revenue increase of 15% annually through successful marketing and client engagement strategies.
Government Client Onboarding: In the last quarter of 2021, I worked directly with a new government client and VIP engineers to onboard 100 employees across 11 divisions under one management contract. This involved developing the IT deployment plan and training a full-time onsite technician.
"Sam worked for Wagoner County as we brought in VIP Technologies as our in-house IT provider. It was his responsibility to provide onboarding to all county departments, including law enforcement, emergency management, and all district maintenance facilities. Sam oversaw the installation of new equipment, implemented new security protocols, and established procedures for our email program and service requests. Sam is thorough and professional and has the unique ability to communicate effectively new strategies to make a network more efficient and secure. He managed our expectations flawlessly. I would welcome an opportunity to work with Sam again without hesitation and would recommend him to any organization enthusiastically." Lori Hendricks Wagoner County Clerk
My journey with KSQ Design began with a mission to deliver top-tier IT support across their seven offices spread over five states. This role demanded not just technical acumen but also strategic vision to improve business efficiencies and integrate new technologies seamlessly into existing systems.
Role and Responsibilities:
Day-to-Day IT Support: Managed help desk operations, ensuring smooth and efficient technical support for over 100 workstations, 18 servers, and 30 separate applications.
Resource Management: Oversaw server and network engineers, document management providers, video conferencing setups, software training programs, purchasing processes, and in-house support technicians.
Information Management: Handled Office 365 SharePoint, Panzura file cache, and AWS systems, ensuring secure and efficient data management.
Network Security: Implemented robust security measures through software solutions, employee training, and proven backup scenarios to safeguard the organization's data and operations.
Key Achievements:
Efficiency Improvements: Introduced state-of-the-art technology to enhance business processes, significantly improving operational efficiencies.
System Integration: Successfully integrated new software into existing legacy systems, minimizing disruption and maximizing productivity.
Comprehensive Support: Ensured the smooth operation of IT infrastructure across all locations, addressing technical issues promptly and effectively.
KSQ Design
August 2016 - December 2018
"Sam and I not only work together but also share the same vision of excellence while creating, organizing, and restructuring the standards and IT system at KSQ. I highly recommend Sam for his exceptional leadership and expertise in IT. Sam’s strategic vision, dedication to cybersecurity, and commitment to digital transformation significantly improved KSQ’s operations. He is an invaluable asset, continuously driving innovation and ensuring IT infrastructure for a robust and future-ready organization." - Juana Gomez Principal
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