Julio Morales

Fractional CIO/CTO/VP

Omega Tech Consulting · Florida, United States

Sep 2024 – Present(1 yr 8 mos)

Provide executive technology leadership and strategic advisory to organizations undergoing digital transformation, enterprise modernization, and technology-driven growth. Partner with CEOs, boards, and executive teams to align IT strategy, enterprise platforms, data strategy, and cybersecurity with business objectives and financial outcomes. Lead the execution of enterprise technology roadmaps, IT governance frameworks, and modernization initiatives that improve operational efficiency, strengthen security posture, and enable scalable growth. • Digital Transformation & Enterprise Modernization – Leading technology-driven organizational transformation and platform modernization. • Enterprise Platforms SIS & ERP Strategy – Advising to enterprise systems, and application ecosystems that support operational scale. • AI Governance & Emerging Technologies – Implementing responsible AI governance models and evaluating technologies. • Cybersecurity & Risk Management – Establishing enterprise security frameworks, compliance alignment, risk mitigation strategies. • Data Strategy & Analytics – Advancing data governance, analytics, and data-driven decision making. • IT Governance & Portfolio Management – Building PMOs and governance structures to prioritize initiatives, optimize budgets, and maximize ROI. Oversee enterprise infrastructure modernization, including cloud - hybrid architectures, network engineering, and resilient IT environments supporting mission-critical operations. Lead enterprise program management, Quality Assurance, and Six Sigma–driven process improvements that strengthen operational performance, enhance service delivery, and ensure disciplined execution of technology initiatives. These efforts enable organizations to scale efficiently, improve resilience, and maximize the value of technology investments. Transform IT organizations into strategic business partners that accelerate innovation, strengthen resilience, and deliver measurable business value.

CIO / CTO

Omega Tech Consulting · Miami, Florida, United States

Sep 2024 – Present(1 yr 8 mos)

Transformational CIO / CTO with a track record of stabilizing, modernizing, and scaling enterprise technology environments across infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, data, and digital platforms. Lead organizations through complex change—strengthening operational resilience, elevating governance maturity, and aligning technology investments with strategic and financial priorities. Led infrastructure and cloud modernization, driving automated server builds, hybrid architecture planning, cloud migration strategy, and disaster‑recovery readiness. I improve platform reliability through enhanced performance monitoring, incident‑response readiness, and disciplined release/change governance. My cybersecurity leadership includes enterprise risk assessments, remediation programs, and governance frameworks aligned with NIST/PCI‑style controls—advancing identity management, encryption, privacy safeguards, and PCI DSS 4.0 compliance. Built PMO and portfolio governance models that improve delivery accountability, milestone execution, and executive visibility. Conduct enterprise technology assessments and deliver actionable 30/60/90‑day remediation roadmaps, cost‑benefit analyses, and modernization plans. Across enterprise systems, I led modernization and integration strategies for ERP, CRM, SIS, LMS, and data workflows—improving automation, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency. I direct software development teams delivering digital platforms and CRM/ERP integrations that enhance customer engagement and service quality. Led the design of AI enablement and analytics strategies, deploying Copilot/ChatGPT‑style capabilities that improve productivity, decision‑making, and responsible adoption. As an executive leader, partner with Boards and senior stakeholders to deliver multi‑year roadmaps, operational redesign, and budget‑aligned modernization initiatives—strengthening resilience, performance, and organizational trust.

Chief Information Officer

American College of Education · Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Apr 2024 – Sep 2024(6 mos)

As Interim CIO, I led transformative IT initiatives that aligned with ACE’s mission of delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible education. My focus was on driving strategic technology enhancements to support academic excellence and operational efficiency across the institution. Strategic IT Leadership: Directed institution-wide IT efforts to enhance educational technology and drive innovation in alignment with ACE’s values and goals. Executive Collaboration: Partnered closely with the President’s Cabinet and key business units to build collaborative, tech-enabled solutions across academic and administrative functions. IT Assessment & Optimization: Conducted comprehensive IT assessments, delivering actionable insights to elevate performance and value. PMO Establishment: Founded ACE’s first Project Management Office (PMO), launching a Portfolio Program Management process and dashboard to track and guide project execution. Cultivated an Agile mindset to drive results. Cybersecurity Excellence: Strengthened cybersecurity posture using the NIST Framework and successfully completed the PCI DSS 4.0 upgrade—demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting sensitive data, improving compliance, and reinforcing institutional trust. AI Integration: Spearheaded AI-driven initiatives, incorporating tools like Microsoft Co-pilot, Google Bard, ChatGPT, Turnitin AI detection, and lead-scoring AI in Dynamics CRM to drive academic integrity and marketing intelligence. Infrastructure & Change Management: Improved infrastructure uptime from 95% to 99.9% and implemented a rigorous change management process to ensure high-quality deployments and operational stability. Strategic Roadmap & Team Development: Developed a forward-looking IT roadmap and optimized team structure to enhance agility, performance, and service delivery.

Senior Vice President Of Technology

Bisk · Tampa, Florida, United States

Feb 2022 – Feb 2024(2 yrs 1 mo)

Bisk partners with leading institutions to deliver online degree and certificate programs globally. Recruited as the chief technologist to define and deliver the next enterprise IT vision. Led an Agile organization of 100 IT employees and consultants, creating a PMO and upgrading hardware, software, systems, networks, and cybersecurity. Directed strategy, governance, product innovation, automation (AI), and managed a combined OPEX/CAPEX budget. Implemented a 3-year roadmap integrating technology enhancements, consolidating legacy applications, planning automation, creating an InfoSec team, and driving technical innovation. Enhanced cybersecurity resilience, provided staff training, and generated efficiencies through data center consolidations, power and real estate footprint reductions, software licensing optimization, AI-driven support, and labor cost decreases. Accelerated new client onboarding with Agile frameworks, change management practices, and advanced technologies. Led the implementation of an AI-driven chatbot for student queries, allowing staff to focus on complex processes.

Chief Technology Officer

Nova Southeastern University

Jul 2019 – Mar 2022(2 yrs 9 mos)

Promoted to shape and execute the enterprise technology vision for 24,000 students and 5,000 employees across NSU’s physical and virtual workspaces. served as proxy for the Chief Information Officer, lead the road mapping, development, and evolution of SW / HW, outsourced operations, audio-visual, technical integrations, clinical informatics, platform UI/UX, a program management organization (PMO), and support. My organization is comprised of over 120 staff, consultants, and offshore services. Key achievements: Playing a key role in architecting and executing an IT transformation, partnering with the Leadership Team on a 5-year strategic plan, stabilizing operations, deploying ITIL standards and SLAs, creating a PMO, and leading an infrastructure migration to Oracle Cloud. Influencing enterprise security, hardware, networks, and compliance roadmaps. Directed the implementation of AI chatbots for students, faculty, and staff, providing comprehensive support services. Resulted in an increase in user satisfaction and reductions in response times. The chatbots provided support 24/7, 365 days a year, creating efficiencies for student support services. Building high-performing Agile culture via the creation of a PMO. Enhanced the team to define the framework, oversaw Scrum training, and unified 20 IT and business projects annually with enterprise impact under a single program portfolio. Orchestrating the seamless migration to a hybrid in-person/virtual environment, one of the first in South Florida, and the subsequent rapid staff virtualization for 5,000 employees due to COVID-19. Developing and promoting staff to executive, manager, and technologist leader roles within my team and across NSU. Program managing major initiatives including deploying a HIPAA-compliant virtual clinical Patient Portal, expanding campus Wi-Fi to 1 GB bandwidth, implementing ML AI in our service desk and data warehouse, and working with the CISO to fortify our security posture.

Managing Director, Business and Academic Platforms

Nova Southeastern University · Davie, FL

Jan 2012 – Mar 2019(7 yrs 3 mos)

After joining the NSU in an executive change management and QA leadership role, my role was elevated and expanded to lead the road mapping, development, evolution, and support of the university’s mission-critical enterprise applications. As such, I partnered with our executive leadership and internal stakeholders to influence, architect, prioritize, and align on technology and capital investments, managing an organization of 30 senior managers, developers, and analysts, and an offshore staff of 20. Key achievements: Leading the creation of NSU’s newly centralized Office of Innovation & Information Technology (OIIT) in partnership with the CIO. We successfully integrated talent, streamlined technology cycles, and drove cultural change. Providing executive-level leadership in the ongoing development and evolution of solutions for SharePoint, PowerBI, Canvas LMS, Ariba, and the Banner ERP/Student Information System. Strengthening enterprise operations via the development of PowerBI executive dashboards, KPIs, and real-time reporting, delivering critical insights used to realign university strategy. Directed a $2.2M portfolio of Banner ERP/SIS enhancement programs, leading Scrum teams and process owners to extend connectivity and functionality, automate workflows, and improve compliance and efficiency. Pioneering the evolution toward a “cloud-first” environment via Microsoft Azure virtualization, and the successful migration of SharePoint to the cloud. Playing a central role in academic health with healthcare IT systems, Nextgen and processes, by ensuring NSU’s clinics achieve federally mandated ICD-10 certification. My organization executed a critical series of EMR optimization programs and was recognized by NSU’s President for the achievement. Managing the 9-month enterprise transition from Blackboard to Canvas LMS. Developing leaders via coaching and mentoring of staff on best practices in strategy, technology, and management.

Chief Information Officer

3G Softech -EducacionOnline · Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area

Mar 2011 – Jan 2012(11 mos)

3G Softech is a provider of learning management system (LMS) and lead generation software to the education industry. As the company’s CIO, I headed the company’s technology strategy, vision, and service delivery, leading a matrixed organization of internal and offshore IT employees, technical consultants and providing strategic and operations leadership over IT infrastructure planning, investment, support, policy, and administration. In addition, I managed customer solutions architecture and deployment, and best practices in Agile, change management, and quality assurance. Key achievements: Decreasing the corporate IT spend by 17% via investment in tools, processes technologies, and talent. Leading training on Scrum Agile best practices, managing custom upgrades to the Microsoft CRM platform, and offshoring multiple IT functions. Led the migration of company systems to cloud hosting solutions, enhancing system availability, scalability, and reducing operational costs.

Executive Director of Application Services

kaplan Higher Education

Jul 2010 – Mar 2011(9 mos)

Now known as Purdue University Global, Kaplan University was a private global university specializing in distance learning. In this capacity, I directed the development, test, customization, integration, and maintenance of Kaplan’s CampusVue SIS (Student Information System) as the product owner. As such, I managed the full scope of the application software development lifecycle (SDLC), with executive responsibility for business analysis, resource allocation, project management, and change management, and a team of 20 managers, business analysts, developers, testers, database administrators, and quality assurance specialists. Key achievements: ►Extending the lifecycle and cost efficiency of the CampusVue platform. My organization deployed SQL Sentry to improve back-end performance, built custom functionality, implemented “quality of life” improvements to the UI/UX, and instituted new maintenance SOPs. ►Negotiate annual cost savings by renegotiating technology vendor contracts to secure price concessions, and through the identification and deployment of lower-cost IT solutions.

Chief Information Officer

InnovaCollege Virtual Campus

Oct 2009 – Jul 2010(10 mos)

CIO in a fast growing Virtual Campus Directing application maintenance, software development, infrastructure, and support efforts across the company's ERP's, back-office, Web-based systems, along with integrating Systems and other business application. Utilizing years of software development experience, proven leadership skills and ability to forge strong working relationships that cross organizational lines including working with outside IT providers across continents in order to enable a successful business model.

Director Quality Assurance, Release and, Change Management, Security & Compliance

Kaplan University · Ft. lauderdale Florida

Nov 2005 – Nov 2009(4 yrs 1 mo)

Exec. Dir. QA & Release Management

Kaplan University

2005 – Sep 2009(4 yrs 9 mos)

Responsible for Kaplan’s software programs, serving as the internal development house managing the full SDLC for the SharePoint, student information systems, marketing web sites (UI/UX), .Net-based homegrown applications, and enterprise platforms. In addition, I oversaw quality assurance, BizTalk integration, release management, and change management. Key achievements: ►Championing the creation of the Kaplan Application Map defining the long-term IT roadmap and architecture. I drove alignment on the ecosystem and the Agile approach, and used findings to close vulnerabilities and streamline integrations. ►Generating $2.5M in annual recovered revenue through the creation of financial aid bolt-on applications for CampusVue. This was achieved by automating processes, decreasing the FASFA financial aid collection cycle from 3 days to 1, and improving overall transparency. ►Decreasing maintenance cost by 30% by offshoring application support, improving internal capacity and accelerating customer responsiveness at a lower cost. ►Being selected by senior leadership to attend the Kaplan Leadership Academy.

Executive Director, Quality Assurance / CM

Kaplan University

Dec 2005 – Jul 2009(3 yrs 8 mos)

Executive Director Development Shared Services / QA / Release Management

Kaplan University

Jun 2007 – Jun 2009(2 yrs 1 mo)

Steered technology maturity and restructured efforts to align with rapidly changing business strategies caused by market conditions. Work closely with business units to influence alignment of business process to technology initiatives, creating solutions to meet business requirements.

Sr. Manager Quality Assurance

Spherion · Fort Lauderdale Fl.

May 2002 – Nov 2005(3 yrs 7 mos)

Program Project manager - Director, Quality Assurance

CruisePath Network · Miami Lakes, FL.

Apr 2001 – Jun 2002(1 yr 3 mos)

• Led multiple projects from start to finish in a startup environment, enhancing and implementing software products for major cruiselines. • Developed and implemented 1st class homegrown cyber booking engines for Cruise Path Network in Miami Lakes, FL. • Achieved seamless delivery of high-quality software / Hardware products, ensuring customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

Quality Assurance Manager

FDP · Coral Gables, Florida, United States

Jun 1997 – Apr 2000(2 yrs 11 mos)

As QA Manager, my team and I ensured we created and implemented QA standards and protocols. Hired a team of great QA analysts to induce quality into our software, yielding customer satisfaction and reduction in support calls.

Quality Assurance Manager

TradeStation

Jan 1992 – Apr 1997(5 yrs 4 mos)

• Managed quality assurance processes to ensure software met high standards for global clients. • Collaborated with development teams to implement quality improvements in software development lifecycle. • Conducted thorough testing and analysis to identify and resolve software issues efficiently. • Implemented best practices to enhance software quality and user experience.

Seargent

US Army · Germany

Apr 1985 – Jun 1989(4 yrs 3 mos)