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Letter From the Publishers
Welcome to the San Diego Business Journal's first annual Technology Executive of the Year publication, honoring ranking technology and information executives for contributions to their companies and to their local communities.
For this inaugural event, the San Diego Business Journal and event judges reviewed numerous entries, deciding on 13 honorees to recognize as outstanding information and technology executives. Event judges included Anette Asher, executive director of the Life Science Information Technology Global Institute; Kevin Carroll, executive director of the AeA San Diego Council; and Rory Moore, former vice president and chief financial officer of Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. Inside this publication are the names and profiles of the 13 honorees--including an honoree for Lifetime Achievement--which detail these executives' outstanding accomplishments in technical fields and how they have contributed to their businesses' success.
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The San Diego Business Journal would like to thank technology executives throughout San Diego and the judges for their participation. Cutting-edge technology is no longer an option for businesses; effectively streamlined processes, and organized and managed Web presence and e-commerce all boost bottom-line income and productivity while slashing expenses. These executives understand the role technology plays in business today and how its role will only expand in the future. The San Diego Business Journal would like to thank presenting sponsor Cox Business for the First Annual Technology Executive of the Year publication and event, as well as co-sponsors K Force Professional Staffing, San Diego 1700 AM and Wachovia Bank. Thank you for helping the San Diego Business Journal make this inaugural Technology Executive of the Year event and publication a success. We look forward to honoring the achievements of local technology executives for years to come.
Congratulations to all of the nominees, finalists and honorees!
Thank you,
Armon Mills
President & Publisher
San Diego Business Journal
Reo Carr
Associate Publisher
San Diego Business Journal
TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE HONOREES
Chris Baker | San Diego Gas & Electric
As the senior executive responsible for all aspects of technology at San Diego Gas & Electric--including architecture, applications, infrastructure, data center networks and telecommunications--Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Technology Officer Chris Baker manages a staff of more than 600 information technology professionals, more than 100 contractors and a budget exceeding $200 million. Baker's current responsibilities include applications development and maintenance, information security, IT infrastructure engineering, data center operations, network and telecommunication services and IT strategy and planning.
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Baker champions technological initiatives at SDG&E and, in the last three years, SDG&E has tripled its IT applications and services available to employees, improving productivity and controlling overall costs more effectively. Baker is also the executive responsible for overseeing SDG&E's "OpEx 20/20" and "Smart Meter" initiatives. OpEx 20/20 is a major internal program that focuses on technology upgrades to enhance the capabilities of the company's electric and gas operations, back office field and mapping support, and customer contact centers. Smart Meter is a network of automated gas and electric meters connected to communications equipment that will improve utility services by providing a more effective way to read meters and price information.
Over the last five years, Baker has institutionalized processes that have resulted in reduction of the amount and length of time of high impact power outages by 300 percent.
Recently, Baker's IT team received the Utilities Telecom Council's Apex Award for 2008--an award that recognizes utilities that demonstrate proactive determination and public consciousness, and has gone above and beyond their scope of work in helping to conserve or restore power to customers. In this case, the award recognized SDG&E's innovative and rapid response to communications needs during the 2007 firestorm, resulting in teamwork among utilities and first responders, service to customers and community.
Chris Baker sits on the board of directors of the Classroom of the Future Foundation, an nonprofit organization that inspires business leaders and educators to embrace new teaching technologies and innovative practices to improve student academic achievement.
Baker also sits on the board of directors of Proximetry, an organization that provides network and performance management solutions for wireless networks to enable operators to visualize, provision and actively manage their networks, with focus on the support of mission-critical communications.
Bruce Carothers | AMN Healthcare
As Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer and Chief Security Officer of AMN Healthcare, Bruce Carothers has been integral to AMN's emergence. When Carothers was hired in October 2001, he assessed the company's current technology and its needs and set to work laying the technology framework required for AMN's initial public offering and the accompanying complex auditing processes. In both due diligence and integration, Carothers has been actively engaged in AMN's growth and acquisitions, including a $250 million merger and acquisition.
Carothers works directly with all facets of the business to develop solutions that increase strategic advantage and drive revenue. Under his leadership, AMN has established a strong Web presence, marketing e-mail campaigns, along with full life cycle tracking of campaign value, search engine optimization and portal sites--important factors in attracting and retaining high-quality health care professionals.
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