When a company is struggling with technology hurdles and hovering on the edge of technical disaster, the situation is tremendously stressful for all involved, right from hourly employees through senior management, board members and all other stakeholders. Emotions run high, personalities conflict and competing priorities collide. It is into these high-intensity, chaotic, crisis situations that Chetan Balsara brings his techno business acumen to the table and partners effectively with CEOs and key stakeholders.
A Global Chief Information Officer with diverse IT background and respected specialist in guiding large and mid-cap multinational corporations through their digital transformation journey, Chetan is well known for his track record in resolving business challenges enabled by technology and implementing rapid change. With 30 years of experience and backed with a track record of designing and implementing effective IT infrastructure that enables performance-oriented cultures to drive increased revenue, enhance employee engagement, streamline efficiencies due to merger integrations, generate cost savings and drive organizational transformation.
Early Career and Education
Chetan's journey in the technology sector began with his Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics from the University of Bombay, India. He started his professional career at Castrol India Limited in 1995, where he managed IBM i and JD Edwards ERP implementations and led corporate training programs.
Rise to Leadership
After gaining valuable experience at Decision Technologies Incorporated (Premier Oracle Business Partner) as a Technical Lead and Systems Architect, Chetan moved into more senior roles. At Wilbur-Ellis Company, he served as Tech and Global Infrastructure Manager, where he executed a company-wide transition to a single-instance ERP system and integrated 28 international sites.
CIO and Executive Roles
Chetan's career trajectory led him to executive positions at several prominent companies in the $1B to $5B range.
J.B. Poindexter & Co. Inc.: As Senior Director of Information Technology, he championed merger integrations and implemented a Single Instance Global ERP system.
Buckeye Partners: In his role as Director of IT Application Services, Chetan led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
Davis-Standard: As Chief Information Officer & Vice President of IT, he formulated IT strategies to address acquisitions and integrate diverse ERP systems across five businesses.
Current Position
Currently, Chetan serves as the Chief Information Officer at Springs Window Fashions, a $1.5B consumer products business. In this role, he oversees the enterprise information technology strategy, cybersecurity, operational technology, and IT operations for 9,000 employees across the US, Mexico, and Europe.
Key Strengths: - Influential Strategic Leadership - Entrepreneurial Mindset and Execution - High-Level Financial Acumen - Cost Savings and Controls - Relationship Building - Employee Engagement - Defining Global Vision - Digital Transformation
Chetans strong belief of quality, appropriate, reliable and affordable technology services is the key attribute of a high performing information technology department. Prioritizing technology investments according to value of the organization and making and meeting the right commitments for constituents is of paramount importance in ensuring technology is a true business enabler.