Active

LaBaron H

Enterprise Tech Executive | Digital Transformation, Data & AI, Cloud & ERP | Utilities & Regulated

About Me

Enterprise technology executive operating at the intersection of strategy, transformation, and enterprise execution across utilities, high-tech, and Fortune 500 environments. Over the past 20+ years, I have led and advised on large-scale transformation initiatives—modernizing complex, regulated and commercial organizations by aligning technology strategy, enterprise platforms, and data capabilities to measurable business outcomes. My work focuses on environments where scale, risk, and complexity require clear executive alignment and disciplined decision-making. I operate across: - Enterprise transformation impacting core operational and revenue systems - Technology strategy, architecture, and multi-year investment planning - Data and AI enablement to support operational performance and decision-making - Modernization of legacy environments into scalable, cloud-enabled platforms - Alignment of executive stakeholders across business and technology I have partnered closely with CIOs, CDOs, and executive leadership to guide initiatives spanning customer platforms, finance, supply chain, and field operations—often in highly regulated environments where reliability, compliance, and performance are critical. My current focus includes: - Enterprise modernization in utilities and asset-intensive industries - Leveraging data and AI to improve operational visibility and decision quality - Transformation programs requiring strong governance, alignment, and execution discipline In addition to my operating role, I engage in a limited number of confidential advisory relationships, partnering with senior leaders as a strategic sounding board on transformation, technology investment, and organizational alignment.

Experience

Current StatusActive
Director, Executive AdvisorySAP
2021 - Present

- Advise Chief Information/Digital/Technology Officers and executive leadership across utilities and energy organizations on enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, and modernization initiatives - Lead development of multi-year transformation roadmaps spanning ERP (SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA), Customer Experience, Asset Management, Data & Analytics, and Cloud (Public and Private) platforms - Influence enterprise-level technology investment decisions, balancing cost, risk, regulatory requirements, and long-term scalability - Guide organizations through complex regulatory and compliance environments (NERC, FERC, SOX), ensuring resilience and operational continuity - Align business strategy with enterprise architecture and operating models to improve performance, efficiency, and agility - Partner with system integrators and internal stakeholders to evaluate technology platforms, vendor strategies, and implementation approaches - Advise on adoption of AI and advanced analytics to improve decision-making, forecasting, and operational visibility Impact: - Accelerated ERP modernization timelines by up to 30% - Delivered enterprise transformation strategies adopted across multiple U.S. energy organizations - Established governance frameworks improving scalability, compliance, and performance

Manager – Enterprise Systems, Integration & StrategySacramento Municipal Utility District
2018 - 2021

Served as trusted advisor to CIO and executive leadership on enterprise technology strategy, modernization, and digital transformation initiatives - Led a $60M+ multi-year transformation program across ERP, Customer Experience, Workforce Management, and Enterprise Systems - Directed Application Portfolio Management strategy, reducing costs and aligning platforms with enterprise architecture and business objectives - Oversaw modernization of customer and revenue platforms supporting over 60% of organizational revenue - Coordinated cross-functional teams across architecture, cybersecurity, data, development, and business domains - Developed cloud-enabled, API-driven architectures to improve scalability, integration, and long-term maintainability - Elevated IT’s role as a strategic business partner, aligning technology initiatives with operational and financial outcomes Impact: - Delivered significant cost savings through application rationalization - Improved customer experience and operational efficiency across enterprise systems

Transformation Leader & Strategic AdvisorThe Hartfield Corporation
2003 - Present

Executive Advisor (Selective Engagements) Independent | Confidential - Provide strategic advisory to senior executives on enterprise transformation, technology investment decisions, and organizational alignment - Focus on decision-making, governance, and navigating complex transformation environments - Engagements are limited, confidential, and non-operational in scope Outcomes focused Project Delivery - Delivered 25+ enterprise transformation programs ($1M–$1B scale). - Drove organizational change through communication, training, and knowledge transfer, ensuring sustained adoption. - Led workshops on process design, requirements gathering, and system implementation. - Designed enterprise architectures integrating ERP, CRM, and cloud platforms. - Developed KPI frameworks and analytics platforms to support executive decision-making Impact: - Deliver $1B+ revenue is 24 hours via e-Commerce transformation. - Expert Witness work contributed to a rare 7-figure financial damages legal judgement to client through exposure of "professional negligence" by Systems Integrator.

Education

Degree of EconomicsOccidental College
1993 - 1997
Masters of Business AdministrationPurdue University
2015 - 2017