“A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for IT, just as it does not work for Business. Technical and organizational solutions must be tailored to each organization based on their specific needs.”
IT executives tend to bring vendors, technology, people, and the need to reorganize along with them as take on new roles. They do this without understanding their new environment. Needs and challenges must be understood before even approaching a technical solution. Organizational changes are extremely disruptive. They should be kept to an absolute minimum and undertaken only when necessary.
“People, process, technology and lead with Architecture”
In that order…having the right people following the lightest-weight processes necessary to get the job done, leveraging the right technology with appropriate design will vastly improve quality, cost and the satisfaction of both customers and team members.
Highlights
01
Cost Reduction
I have an excellent record of eliminating cost – tens of millions of dollars over the course of my career.
02
High Performing Teams
I have successfully built numerous top-knotch teams across multiple technology domains and leadership levels leveraging, internal resources, contract-to-hire, time and material, fixed-bid, and combining off, near and on shore options based on need.
03
Demonstrated Success in Delivery
Throughout my career, I’ve consistently demonstrated my ability to lead initiatives across the finish line: Spearheading RPA, workforce productivity program , IT Strategy.
04
Industry Leader
I was chosen to Co-Chair the nation connectivity workgroup for CAQH (2009 – 2011) advising the US Secretary of Health and Human Services on integration best practices for The Affordable Care Act.
05
Forward Thinking/Trusted Leader
I was selected to lead the architecture group for Fraud, Risk and “Corporate Functions” at Truist, and to lead Digital Transformation efforts for NCDOT – Turnpike Authority.
06
IT Administration and Operations
I have worked in and across most IT domains. I understand what is required to support the “Plan, Build, Run” functions of IT, and what is necessary to support the Business.
Accomplishments
- 2024: Leading NCTA’s Digital Transformation Initiative: Reduced Total Cost of Ownership for the new solution, compared to the existing solution by nearly $2MM over a 5-year useful life. Increased customer satisfaction and reduced call center volume by over 1,000 calls monthly by implementing a cyber and brand protection solution that effectively eliminates common cyber threats. This resulted in $4.4MM annually in cost avoidance through loss prevention, operational efficiencies, reduced credit monitoring fees, and insurance premiums
- 2022 – 2023: Led multiple efforts related to workforce optimization, technical debt reduction, and automation resulting in over $20MM in annual savings.
- 2023: Led efforts in fraud technology that effectively prevented more than $300K ($16MM Annually) in fraudulent activities within the first week of deployment, and efforts to reduce technical redundancy and debt by more than $100K ($5.2MM over lifetime of deployment). Creating operational efficiencies reducing needs for additional staff.
- 2020 – 2023: Directed efforts to retire and/or consolidate multiple applications saving several hundred thousand dollars annually.
- 2020 – 2023: Migrated several solutions to Cloud hosted environments to reduce cost and improve delivery timelines for any modifications to those systems.
- 2018 – 2020: Oversaw the creation of an Automation Center of Excellence which implemented multiple automated solutions, allowing existing staff to work more efficiently and avoiding the need to increase staff (estimated over $500,000).
- 2013 – 2017: Led the creation of an architecture review and governance process to help ensure technology reuse, reduce technical redundancy and debt, and to improve the quality of implementations across the enterprise.
- 2008 – 2013: Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare National Co-Chair: Led efforts to establish healthcare data exchange standards through the Affordable Care Act resulting in over $100MM in savings across the healthcare industry. Built an Enterprise and Solution architecture practice overseeing a $100+ million dollar technical portfolio.
- Pre-2008: Many implementations and activities including: Trizetto Facets – X12 Integration, HIPAA4010 and the beginning of HIPAA 5010.
❞
James was a very strong and competent IT leader within my application solution delivery team. Based on his professionalism and skills I was happy to support his promotion to a Sr. Director, Solution Architecture role responsible for all solutions in the fraud, risk management, enterprise governance (governance, risk and compliance) and “corporate functions” portfolio.
David White
Integrated Risk Management and Technology Leader
❞
Jim has a tremendous amount of breadth and depth in his professional experience and capabilities. He has strong knowledge in healthcare, is a strong technologist (EDI and architecture are particular strengths) and also excells at people management. Additionally, Jim has excellent communication and people skills. I would highly recommend him.
Jim Carenzo
Group Head Crump Life Insurance Services Enterprise Technology at Truist
❞
Jim is a top notch IT strategist. He was a vital support partner to my EDI development team for many years as we envisioned, prioritized, developed and implemented customer solutions for self service and administrative expense reduction. His common sense approach, thorough understanding of our business model, and ability to broker positive change across the Enterprise helped us to succeed in meeting our goals.
Morgan Tackett
Vice President, CAQH | Health Information Technology
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with James Rakshys as our teams navigated digital transformation efforts in transportation and mobility. James brings a solid understanding of connected vehicle technologies and V2X, and he’s been able to contribute meaningfully to conversations around interoperability, systems integration, and the broader digital landscape. Drawing on experience that spans several industries and companies, James also brings fresh perspectives and a strong network of connections that have noticeably expanded our options and accelerated progress on joint initiatives. What I’ve appreciated most is his ability to engage across both the technical and strategic aspects of the work. He brings thoughtful perspective to complex challenges and is always open to collaboration—even in areas outside his direct expertise, like tolling, where he’s quickly picked up on key concepts and contributed to productive dialogue. James is a capable and committed digital transformation executive, and I’ve valued the opportunity to work with him.”
J J Eden
Executive Director, North Carolina Turnpike Authority
