University of North Florida

University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

Information Technology - Business Solutions - Architecture - Leadership - Relationship Building

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Planes, trains and automobiles... when you’ve spent a career in the railroad industry, you would think you’d stick to one of those three.  And yet, in 2019 I embarked on a whole new and exciting adventure.I can’t express how cool and fun (I know, not terribly professional resume-type terms) it is to pack up my years of solution development and leadership, and bring them to the insurance industry.  From the minute I walked in the door of Allstate Benefits, I realized that while I bring a lot, I have a lot to learn.So here we go... software development to create innovative solutions to insurance business problems.  I’m just pumped.  To quote Samuel L. Jackson in Jurassic Park “hold on to your butts” (minus the getting eaten by a dinosaur part)...

Allstate Benefits

Vice President Applications Development

In late 2016, CSX Technology underwent a major reorganization to prepare for the CSX of Tomorrow.  As part of this change I assumed responsibility for the full GIS practice at CSX.  This includes our enterprise-wide GIS applications and data capabilities, printed map creation, field survey and asset validation activities, Positive Train Control (PTC) subdivision file creation and maintenance, as well as creation of training simulators and timetables.Along the way, our team has developed exciting capabilities in order to get the job done, including the use of drones and LiDar to survey the railroad and keep up with with the changes.As CSX continues to evolve at a rapid pace, from our CEO on down, we will also continue to evolve as a Technology organization to support our number one priority: moving trains safely and efficiently.

CSX Technology

Sr. Technical Director

After leaving CSX in 2000, I always had a feeling I was not finished with CSX.  I returned as a Technical Director following a 4 year absence, and have spent over 12 years learning and leading.  My proudest achievements during this time include:- Helping transform the Geographic Information System(GIS) from a cool technology with lots of potential, to a mainstream enterprise capability with accurate locations of most fixed and many rolling assets- Establishing the Integration Services Center, which helps applications share information and functionality across domains and platforms; leverage technologies and products such as EDI, B2B, SOA, BPM, business rules engines, IBM Integration Bus, MQ, Sterling Integrator and Datapower.- Creating Crew Life, a mobile web application used by thousands of Train and Engine crews every day to find information and perform tasks like marking off work and accepting text message-initiated calls to work... all from the comfort of their personal mobile device, anywhere, anytime...- Helping to build the processes and tools within the GIS that enable us to create and maintain the subdivision files used by the CSX implementation of Positive Train Control; with these in place we are in position to successfully complete PTC before the FRA mandated 2020 deadline

Technical Director

My 6 months at BroadVision were an incredible learning experience and wouldn't trade it for anything.  I learned about developing business, selling a brand, managing budgets, P&L, and what happens when a company grows really fast and the dot com bubble bursts.  I also travelled more in this short time than any other time in my career.

BroadVision

Client Services Manager

iSolutions was a small, local consulting company started and led by former CSX employees, for whom I have a great deal of respect.  Which is why, after 10 years at CSX, I decided to join them and the dot com boom.  While iSolutions was small, it was a great example of how having the right people with great ideas, can deliver as well as big shops.  But with less overhead.The most significant implementation I helped deliver was a b2b website for PSS World Medical where healthcare providers could order medical supplies.  Online ordering with catalog searching and shopping carts was still in its infancy, and this site was among the first of its kind. My other significant achievement during this time was as a consultant for CSX, when CSX implemented the first generation of the Onboard Reporting System (OBRS).  OBRS is an onboard tablet computer used by the crew to report work done during their trip.  This was another first of its kind, with particular challenges and innovative solution on the device, wireless communications and messaging.

iSolutions Corporation

Solutions Manager

It all started here for me, working at CSX while I was finishing school.  This is where I learned how to write software.   Nothing against my college programming classes, but it's not the same until something you create is used in real life by real people.This first tour at CSX is also where I first learned to manage projects and lead others.One of my favorite accomplishments here was the development of PRISM: a price management and publishing system used by CSX's Sales and Marketing team.  After this initial implementation in the late 90s it has been enhanced and upgraded a number of times, and continues to be in use today.

Ralph Ibera

Ralph Ibera