MELINDA LONG

14631 Arpent Lane 314-566-3377

Florissant, MO 63034 mlbce0a0@westpost.net
PROJECT MANAGEMENT - BUSINESS OPERATIONS
PROFILE
Seasoned experience in business planning, strategic forecasting,
performance management, business analysis and process improvements,
as well as project management, program implementation and quality
assurance for a global clientele. Stable professional record as a
project recovery expert, change agent and team leader in project
methodologies, diplomatic problem resolution and team deployment.
-- Reliable development and execution of successful, high-impact
business plans and processes with a seasoned approach; ensure rapid
delivery of corporate alignment and accurate documentation.
-- Expertise in handling process improvements and major corporate projects
with top management, stakeholders and key decision-makers at all levels
of matrixed organizations.
-- Effective hiring, training, management, mentoring, coaching and
development of top-notch talent at staff, line and end user levels.
-- Superior motivation of teams to achieve peak performance, generate
extensive financial reports and meet aggressive business objectives.
-- Multi-tasking talents in team building, organization, needs analysis
and troubleshooting in time-sensitive situations.
-- Experience working with top executives, senior management, professional
peers and external assets in virtual and multi-site locations.
-- Solid reputation for creating a positive team environment with a focus
on "vision fulfilled", deadline compliance and total customer satisfaction.
-- Fully familiar with a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, supply
chain, finance, insurance, retail, pharmaceutical and government.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Strategic Planning * Multi-Discipline Team Leadership * Performance Metrics
* Financial Analysis * Mission-Critical Procedures
* Special Projects * Executive Reporting
* Stakeholder Relations * Internal Controls
EMPLOYMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Project Management Results Inc., Florissant, MO.
2004 - Present
-- As a Project Manager with Monsanto in 2010 on the deployment of the
Compliance and Field Testing software and the Logistics/Capacity software.
A team of analyst and developers delivered upgrades to 17 applications on
a release cycles that occurs 3 times a year. All work from analysis through
testing was managed in a 2 week iterative cycle using a structured method
of handoffs and approvals to move through each process.
--Successfully reduced the number of post production issues and increased
the speed of issue resolution, setting a solid foundation for
future releases.
-- As Project Manager in 2007 - 2009 for Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefits
management company, managed a $1 million engagement to
 implement the Bill Me Later payment option for the customer
contact center, web, IVR and home delivery applications.
-- Also as Project Manager on a $2.5 million engagement to replace the
Corba Proxy with a new web service, adapted to over 20 applications.
-- Instituted a comprehensive plan to manage 5 concurrent projects in
different divisions with a combined team of 20 resources consisting
of developers, testers, architects and DBAs.
-- As Project Manager for AG Edwards in 2006-2007, oversaw a $25 million
assignment to retire legacy technologies and introduce a new network
design that delivered a viable branch backup, decreased support issues
and ensuring ongoing upgrade compatibility.
-- Initiated a stable platform and structure to enhance inter-team and
departmental communications between executives and 740 branches.
-- Successfully reduced hardware costs by $5 million through effective
negotiation and implementation.
-- As Project Leader and Trainer at Huttig Building Products from 2004-2006,
oversaw the restructuring and realignment of the helpdesk to improve
response time and customer satisfaction.
-- Installed an Oracle suite, along with internal training and documentation,
across the entire organization, with a team of 10 resources and a budget
of $9 million.
-- Improved response time by 98% and eliminated most interruptions,
as well as facilitating extensive training in over 50 branches.

Sogeti, St. Louis, MO 1996 - 2003

Project Manager
-- Hired to provide all aspects of project management expertise in diverse
corporate settings to support business development,
operational streamlining and process improvements.
Highly skilled in requirements identification, resource allocation,
procedural development, performance metrics and preparation of
accurate documentation.
-- As Project Manager and Internet Portal Designer for Arch Coal,
2nd largest coal mining company in the US in 2003,
created a corporate-wide portal to interface with Stellent content
management software and other Oracle databases.
-- Successfully launched this portal on time and within budget;
recognized by top executives for assisting with mission-critical
decision-making.
-- As Program Manager at the Reinsurance Group of America,
a division of MetLife, from 2001-2003,
directed 6 project manager, 60 employees and a budget of $14 million
in support of the development of a corporate wide application that
would support international insurance processing.
-- Succeeded in deploying the first beta version in South Africa in 2002
and final introduction in 2003, as well as feasibility analysis
in the United Kingdom in 2003.
-- As Senior Project Manager for Navisys Inc. from 2000-2001,
tasked with setting up and staffing a local
Project Management Office (PMO) that would drive various
internal projects to final completion.
-- Also coordinated 5 concurrent billing and insurance projects
for 5 separate clients that would streamline a
 fast-paced front office environment, representing 25 professionals
and revenues of over $7 million.
-- Succeeded in transforming this company into a rapid response
entity that quickly identified and resolved client needs.
-- As Program Manager for Deutsche Financial Services Corporation
in 2001, managed the roll-out of the Summit-D methodology
across all projects involved in the European Monetary Union conversion
project, while concurrently supervising 13 application project teams.
-- This project served as a benchmark for further projects at this company;
built and led a group of 7 project managers with 34 resources and
total budget of $3 million.
-- As Business Readiness Director for Deutsche Financial Services Corporation
from 1999-2000, facilitated the development of Business Continuity Plans
and Y2K wellness checks per requirements of the Global Command Center.
-- Deployed expertise in strategic planning, template design, calling trees,
failure scenarios and mission-critical procedures.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

-- Held various management and professionals positions with different

companies, such as Project Manager,
Business Readiness Director and Business Analyst.
-- Gained hands-on knowledge of multiple project completion,
executive reporting, work scope definition, resource allocation
and accurate documentation.
-- Consistently recognized by management and peers for excellent
talents in team leadership, business communications,
creative troubleshooting and complex problem resolution.
EDUCATION
University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO
B.S. Degree
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
- Currently pursuing Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
through PMI.
- Applications: MS Office Suite, MS Project, Oracle, Project Workbench,
Lotus Notes and Primavera in onsite, remote and virtual team settings.
- Methodologies/Case Tools: Perform, Summit-D, Navigator, Primavera
and PMI.
- Platforms: Mainframe, Client/Server, PC, Internet, Intranet, WAN,
Middleware and Back-End Services.

Microsoft Word Resume Available on Request