ABOUT ME

I’m a technology and computer fanatic. Not quite a nerd but I’m very lucky that I could turn my hobby into my profession. People often call me a “technology guru“ because they feel I’m genetically related to computers, and suspect my DNA to be partially digital. And maybe they‘re right. I simply like working with computers and the surrounding technologies. To me it‘s fun to learn and adapt new technologies – and find unorthodox ways to push the limits of both hardware and software wherever I can.

Although I consider myself a thoroughbred engineer, I love the entrepreneurial part of my job just as much. Developing a vision and business strategy, pursuing the company goals, building and managing teams, overseeing and managing projects – I‘m accustomed with all those tasks, and enjoy them a lot indeed. Bringing the company forward and help to achieve higher goals while maintaining the competitive edge is a big part of my professional ambition and motivation.

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MY GOALS

SOME MIGHT THINK THAT BY BECOMING CIO I'VE REACHED MY MAIN GOAL. BUT GAINING A FANCY TITLE WAS NEVER REALLY A GOAL OF MINE. I REQUIRE OTHER THINGS TO FEEL SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE - SOME OF WHICH I WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS, NO MATTER WHAT POSITION I HAVE OR WHAT COMPANY I WORK FOR.

RESPONSIBILTY

For me responsibility is not a burden but a chance – that’s why I’m never afraid to take over responsibility. It provides me with the opportunity to take action, exert influence and make sure tasks are fulfilled with adequate excellence, regardless whether I execute them myself or delegate them to somebody else.

IMPROVEMENT

Whenever I see a chance for improvement, I will seize it. Whether this chance presents itself in the form of potential cost savings, enhancements through smart process optimization, or increasing the productivity and profitability by implementing innovative workflow automization. It’s easy if one knows the right levers. I do.

RESULTS

I never do things halfway. Every endeavor I start and every effort I take will always lead to at least some kind of viable result. That’s a promise I give to myself. To me it would be a terrible waste of precious time to do it any other way. Besides, only the results really count in the end – and that makes every effort worthwhile.

STAY AHEAD

Increasing the competitive edge of the company I work for is always one of my main goals. Gathering meaningful competitive intelligence is naturally part of the process – utilizing those insights to “our advantage” is exciting and fun for me. Succeeding in this aim is more like a hobby of mine – and actually mandatory, too…

MY PRIORITIES IN THE JOB

DEDICATION

No matter whether I help friends, co-workers or customers, I am thoroughly solution oriented. Finding the best long-term solution for any given problem is my primary goal. Even though I might work just as a regular employee, I approach my job more like an entrepreneur – always having the big picture in mind, and always looking for opportunities to improve things, make something easier and smoother, or save money – without compromising the mission.

COMMITMENT

For me commitment is the main ingredient for being successful – along with integrity and loyalty. Without it l would‘ve never reached any of my goals. Once I have commited and pledged myself – no matter whether to a company, a job, or a promise – I will stick to it. Living and supporting the visions and values of “my team“ is just as important as delivering the best performance I can. And I won‘t leave a single stone unturned until I have fulfilled my commitment.

PRODUCTIVITY

I‘m a big fan of efficiency. A streamlined approach is always the preferred way to go. Meetings and conferences are fine to set goals, define objectives, and align the line of action. However, once the goal is set and the objectives are clear, I rather start DOING. As per my personal definition, a “good IT guy“ always thinks ahead, outside the box and around the corner to solve any issue – as quickly as possible. Only a productive day that shows tangible accomplishments is a good day.

AMBITION

Reaching the position of CTO a couple of years ago was a big achievement. However, a position or title is not what‘s important to me. My real ambition is to heIp my team, department, or the company I work for to stay ahead, and reach even those goals that seem to be impossible to reach. Striving to achieve more and make progress in my job, automatically means personal success and reward to me. “Excellent“ is the status I intend to maintain, in every respect of my professional life.

FOCUS

While I love to multi-task, keeping the goal in mind at all times is very important to me. This applies to all internal and external tasks and projects. All efforts should directly support reaching the particular objective, otherswise it‘ll be a useless waste of time. I find it just as important to always go the whole nine yards – I won‘t settle for less than 100%, and I don‘t mind getting my hands dirty in order to get the job done. When pursuing an objective no task is beneath me – regardless of my position or title.

CHALLENGES

I‘m still humbled when people seem to be amazed when they see what I‘m doing, and how I‘m doing it. But no matter how often I hear “nobody was able to do this, let alone so quickly“, for my own expectations I‘m never good enough. That‘s why I love to challenge myself and learn new things – and push my own limits wherever I can. Maybe it‘s my “partially digital DNA“ that makes it so easy and fun for me to adapt and internalize new topics.

SKILLS

Not knowing something is no shame - but no excuse either. While I would never blame anyone for not being familiar with a particular matter, I will never understand why so many people don't strive after knowledge. I always will.

MY TAKE ON TECHNICAL SKILLS

Maybe it‘s my “partially digital DNA“ that makes it so easy and fun for me to adapt and internalize new issues. I love every (new) challenge, that’s why I always approach new issues fearlessly and intrepidly. Since I always know how to FIX things, I’m never afraid to “break” something.

I know, I don’t know everything (yet). Nobody does. However, I also know that with the right skill set, managing and maintaining any IT network, no matter how complex, efficiently and economically isn’t rocket science.

MY SKILLS (at least some of them)

Pre-Sales98%

Workflow Design98%

SAN (SNFS)97%

Spectrum Scale (GPFS)89%

NAS (NFS,SMB)95%

Windows78%

UNIX/Linux95%

OS X67%

Troubleshooting98%

TCP/IP85%

PHP/Scripting languages90%

SQL80%

WHAT I DO

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT EVERYTHING IN MY JOB. BUT I AM PARTICULARLY GLAD AND PROUD THAT I AM TRUSTED WITH SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

TEAM LEADING

With 15+ years experience in building, managing, and leading decentralized IT/Technology and Development Teams around the globe and across different continents, I’m confident to say “I’ve seen A LOT.”

STRATEGICAL LEADERSHIP

20+ years working in the post production and broadcast field have given me more experience in overseeing R&D and network planning as well as project management than I can even say.

TEACHING AND TRAINING

I don’t guard my expertise, I rather teach and train everyone who‘s interested in broadening his or her knowledge. Passing on what I know and trying to get people as close to my level as possible is a personal mission of mine.

" I have worked with Roger while he was at DDN, as well as when he was with our partners. Roger’s depth of knowledge in Media workflows and available technologies allows him to analyze and design workflow solutions to meet and exceed any requirement. This ability allows Roger not only to bring the right tools to bear to solve the most complex workflows but also ensures capital expenditures are accurately made and project budgets are maintained. Roger’s can do attitude and attention to every detail are evident in everything he undertakes, a real asset to any team. "
Mike Oakes, Data Direct Network, USA

" Roger is a true professional with a deep technical and business understanding of the international market, opportunities and customer needs. He is a great team player and leader, but he is also is willing to ‘roll up his sleeves’ if required.’ Roger has an excellent understanding of global media and technology strategies and is well connected in the industry. He is also efficient and thorough and works extremely well under pressure. I would love the opportunity to work with Roger again! "
Kathy Weidman, TiVo, USA

" I’ve had the pleasure of working with Roger for several years. He is extremely knowledgeable, hard-working, dedicated to his craft, and goes above and beyond when it comes customer satisfaction. Roger is always looking at new and emerging technologies to create and develop products that exceed expectations. Roger’s technical expertise, communication skills, and “outside the box” thinking make him a valuable asset to any company. "
Shawn Clark, Bright Technologies, USA

" I have very seldom come across the level of professionalism, and technical knowledge that Roger has shown. "
Nuno Martins, Rocket Science, South Africa
" Roger is analytical, a problem solver, and business savvy. Having been both a customer and a supplier in the Media & Entertainment industry, provides Roger with a seldom set of experience and expertise. "
Ron Earwood, Cinesys-Oceana, USA
" Roger, thanks a lot for always assisting and supporting me with professional and goal-oriented solutions! It’s good to have you and your expert knowledge on my side…! "
Lothar Albrecht, Pictorion Das Werk, Germany
" Roger has always been pleasant to work with. He is a consummate professional with a deep knowledge of the post-production industry who is able to turn issues around even with only a few resources. "
Jesse Anderson, Cloudera, USA
" I only worked with Roger briefly but I was deeply impressed by his technical knowledge and even more so by his integrity. Roger’s desire to improve his customer’s experience by improving the service provided to them shone through very clearly and guided his actions while at work. "
Roland Bavington, Oracle UK
" Roger is a technology guru with amazing skills. He is able to design custom storage network systems and patiently diagnose hidden issues that most people couldn’t find with a map. He is also a good manager for technical teams who keeps the focus on satisfying the customer with unique technology solutions. "
Regis Leiss, Vista International, USA
" Roger’s attitude: “Never give up” impressed me a lot. His structured work, open ear to the clients needs and delivering the “turnkey” solution were for me the most impressive parts of working with him. "
Zeljko Dodlek, MapR, Germany
" Roger is a dedicated, customer-focused professional with outstanding technical skills and extensive experience in media and entertainment business organizations. "
Richard D. Picton, Picton Computers, USA