Brent Ohman, MBA

Business, Operational, Technical
Productivity, Innovation, Leadership

After years working in strategy, operations, program, and technical leadership, I've learned that applying select philosophies, establishing working routines, and sharing how to work across silos, will level up teams productivity resulting in reduced expenses, additional revenue, and sustainable results. This is especially critical for healthcare and patient/client centric entities

Leadership Bio

Brent Ohman is an accomplished, innovative senior leader known for his ability to focus strategically, programmatically & operationally. He is cross-industry experienced (healthcare, technology, business, human services) and utilizes deep problem-solving and analysis skills, along with the concept of team routines to build productive teams, reduce expenses, and/or increase revenue.

He is skilled working at the C Level, within project, program, and director roles, and as a skilled individual contributor. He has delivered multi-million-dollar initiatives and is well known for his persuasive and collaborative leadership style. He is consistently dedicated to the mission, vision, and values of the organization he serves.

Brent was most recently the IT Delivery Director at Zayo Group focused in a company-wide Scaled Agile implementation.

Brent recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Jewish Family Service, responsible for all IT, Data, Compliance, Administration, and Facilities functions, where he led transformations in all areas including a major building renovation.

Before being chosen as COO for Jewish Family Service, Brent was the Operations Director at CommonSpirit Health’s Precision Medicine Alliance, was responsible for all operational, program, and project initiatives, and was a joint author of the strategic plan.

Prior to joining the Precision Medicine Alliance, Brent was Program Director for the Oncology and Ambulatory programs at Catholic Health Initiatives where he led the implementation of numerous oncology and ambulatory-related electronic medical record systems across the organization.

Brent has also served as Project Office Director, Quality Engineering Director, Data Center Manager and has acted in a Consulting and/or Sales Support capacity as part of many of his roles.

On the technical side, Brent has worked as Software Developer, System Administrator, and Quality Tester.

Brent earned an MBA from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State University.

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Philosophies & Insights

Innovation for Expense Reduction &/or Revenue Capture

In any organization, finances are key, particularly expense reduction and revenue capture. In my roles, I've found that the ability to innovate, leading to successful change, is a key determinator in an organizations finances.

Uniting behind a Strong Vision

At any level of leadership, the ability to form, understand, articulate, and have team members "get behind" a strong vision is paramount. As teams become more in tune with the corporate/department/team vision, they become more accountable, self-managing, and productive. No amount of management skill, process, or tools can take the place of this basic truth.

A Philosophical Framework

The Cynefin Framework (thecynefin.co) is an instrumental tool in envisioning how to solve challenges that are often associated with projects, programs, and operations. Utilize this to help your staff navigate through anything from day-to-day conversations to large issues.

Continuous Listening

Experts, with years of experience in their chosen disciplines, must continue to listen and learn to those who have less experience. New team members bring new insights, that if acted on, not only improve team/employee engagement and alignment, but also improve operational excellence. Via Continuous Listening, executives can remain thought leaders and leverage the team’s creative problem-solving abilities for the good of the organization.

Business Connectivity

A strong link from Strategy to Execution to Operations is key. Corporate value (as measured by timeliness, efficiency, productivity, and ROI) is realized when corporate strategies are strongly tied to action-focused implementations and then flow into sustained and efficient operations. Often, this “linkage” is weak or missing, resulting in initiatives that produce much less than the desired outcomes.

Team Routines

Just as an individual can establish routines to improve business or personal performance, teams can also utilize routines to charge productivity.

  • Routines help navigate people, processes, and politics within other departments.
  • Routines can link "other-department" policies and processes together in a way that simplifies interactions.
  • Routines focuses on people, rather processes or politics, which aids in long term inter-departmental cooperation.
For example: A project manager often works across departments (i.e. IT, Finance, Engineering). However, due to the (often siloed) processes and policies within those departments have their "way of doing things" which might be in conflict. Using routines, a project manager will understand who they should interact with in other departments, how to interact with them and the order in which you interact with these departments.

Agile?

Agile techniques are great tools to quickly bring product to market. At it's base "scrum" level, agile allows technical teams to work with a minimum of overhead. Scaled Agile expands on those base techniques by providing a framework for larger organizations to take advantage of "scrums.' However, this creates overhead and therefore must be managed and "subscribed to" in order for SAFe to provide value to an organization.

Collaborative Leadership

Collaborative leadership drives success. Teams in non-profit, healthcare and technology-related industries are self-motivated, and productive. Therefore, if a leader focuses on staff and leadership development, personal respect, establishing clear accountability, and engaging in strong communication, that leader will reap the benefits of an energized, accountable team, which leads to business success.

The Role of Process

Processes, systems, procedures, and methodologies are tools. And while these tools are of critical importance, teams can’t allow processes or methodologies to supplant collaborative critical thinking. Utilizing Process Excellence (which in itself is a methodology) is how the balance of process, tools, and collaboration is achieved and remains.

Skills

Expense Reduction/Revenue Capture

Innovation Focused

Strategic Planning/Vision

Program/Product/Project Leadership

Agile, Scaled Agile (SAFe)

Large Scale Implementation

Management Consulting

Mergers and Acquisitions

Vendor Management

Change Management

Risk Management

Communications/Collaboration

Staff Development

Performance Management

Data Analytics

OKRs/KPIs/Metrics

Board Reporting  

Operational Excellence

Public Speaking

Business Intelligence

Quality Engineering

Operations Management

Logistics Management

Software Development/SDLC

Financial Management/P&L

Process Improvement

Continuous Improvement

Leadership by Influence

Security/Privacy/Compliance 

Sales and Marketing

Leadership Coaching

Contract Negotiation

MS Office Suite

PMI/BPM/PMBOK



Career

Leadership Resume


I am a Strategic, Implementation, and Operational Leader with extensive experience in executive leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Program Director, within healthcare and technology organizations responsible for annual budgets ranging from $2 million to over $50 million. Selected achievements include: 

  • Led large teams in successful Hospital, Oncology and Ambulatory EMR implementations resulting in improved efficiencies, patient care, and clinician satisfaction.
  • Authored 5-year company-wide strategic plan; highly commended. Approved and implemented.
  • Reorganized operational systems for human services agency gaining efficiencies and reducing costs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Zayo Group, 2023 - 2024
IT Delivery Director

  • Responsible for PMO Tools and Process Implementation
  • Member of Core Team implementing Scaled Agile (SAFe) across the organization

Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 2021 – 2022
Chief Operating Officer

Authority over Data Analysis, Information Technology, Project Management, HIPAA Compliance, Credentialling, Contract and Office Administration, Facilities, Insurance, and Security, with a limited budget and team ($2.7MM budget, 8 staff).  

  • Improved ability for staff and therapists to work anywhere by upgrading to the latest in video technology.
  • Resolved deficiencies in medical records procedures, ensuring response timeframes are met.
  • Corrected challenges with data quality resulting in vastly improved and informative data reports.
  • Resolved flaws in building security resulting in fewer false alarms and a very secure building.
  • Developed provider credentialing process saving significant staff hours and increasing revenue.
  • Contracted with new insurance vendor resulting in reduced costs and increased coverage.
  • Renovated 25,000 sq. ft. facility on limited budget ($400K) for clients, therapists, and staff.

CommonSpirit Health (created by the merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health in 2019), 2011 - 2021

Operations Director, Precision Medicine, 2016 - 2021

Led the Precision Medicine Alliance (PMA) program, project, and operational staff activating precision medicine across CommonSpirit Health ($8.2MM budget).

Strategic Planning

  • In concert with the CEO, organized, authored, and attained approval for the PMA Strategic Plan. Required active engagements with senior executives across the organization. Very well received.
  • Led, as PMA representative, organization-wide technology enhancement initiative.

Technology Implementation

  • Developed plans and schedules to implement precision medicine focused technology across CommonSpirit
  • Maximized access to genomic tests for physicians and patients, via the implementation of a virtual molecular tumor board.

Operational Excellence

  • Activated a company-wide playbook to provide roadmaps for project, program, technical, and operations.
  • Enhanced continuous improvement activities via scalable KPIs, OKRs, and SLAs.
  • Resolved ill-defined working relationships with vendors, and internal teams through consulting activities and the introduction and management of tight processes and policies.
  • Speaker: HIMSS 2018 Precision Medicine Summit. “Operating a Precision Medicine Entity.”

Program Director, Oncology and Ambulatory, 2014 – 2016

Directed Oncology and Ambulatory Clinical System Programs within the OneCare Initiative improving access to care within small US communities with a total of over $50MM budget.

  • Increased responsibilities to include physician office systems integrations.
  • Led hardware and software system installations across the US (19 project managers plus technical resources).
  • Integrated newly outsourced IT department into programs and expanded internal consulting processes.

Program Manager, Oncology, 2011 - 2014

Directed Oncology Program within the OneCare Initiative improving access to care within small US communities with a total of over $29MM budget.

  • Improved care capabilities at multiple cancer centers by leading hardware and software system installations across the US (8 project managers plus technical resources).
  • Introduced concept of “internal consulting” to align to corporate strategy, project excellence, operational efficiency, continuous improvements, growth, and to develop a highly collaborative team.

McKesson Provider Technologies, 2009 – 2011
Customer Program Executive 

  • Simultaneously coordinated numerous McKesson projects within 300-bed hospital.
  • Managed frequent reporting requirements to hospital executives.

Additional Leadership & Technical Experience

  • Senior Staff/Consultant Program Management, Program Office Director, Quality Engineering Director, Senior Project Manager, IT/Data Center Manager, Technical Systems Consultant, Sales/Marketing Support Analyst, Software Developer, Mental Health Practitioner

EDUCATION/TRAINING

  • PMP | Project Management Professional (past) | Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Agile Project Management | Rally Software
  • CQA | Certified Quality Auditor (past) | American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  • MBA | Management & Technology | University of Colorado
  • BA | Music Therapy | Colorado State University

Blog

Gain Control of Operations to Activate Results

  •  4/16/2024 08:10 AM

How do you get control of "operations?" This is a multipart series that explores concepts and philosophies, but most importantly, how to activate operations to achieve value and results.

Read More

Testimonials

 I have worked alongside Brent Ohman for close to two years. During that time Brent has demonstrated great leadership and vision. I have been particularly impressed with Brent’s knowledge and collaboration during efforts to develop a firm strategy and future direction for oncology IT. Brent is an outstanding team member and has been a joy to work with. Brent has my highest recommendation. 

Laurie Jenson: System Director (via LinkedIn)

 Working for Brent for the last few years has been very enlightening for me and is a model I strive to emulate. His mentoring and patient client management style combined with his adherence to the processes and procedures of the project/program management methodologies very quickly show the customer how committed he is to helping them gain the business value they are looking for. The response from the client is immediately one of openness to collaboration and respect. Brent is always willing to go that extra mile for his team and clients. His strong leadership and respect for those he works with is always evident which makes not only him but all those around him successful. 

Jim Williams: Senior Project Manager (via LinkedIn)

 Working with Brent for over two and half years on a full time consulting engagement at Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) I was able to observe many facets of his work ethic, and style. We collaborated on contract negotiations initially, with the primary company for the Oncology Service Line moving that forward effectively to completion. Brent is very methodical and purposeful when speaking which is helpful for negotiations of this scale and nature. In addition, I worked with Brent while leading the management of a two year design and National system implementation within 32 facilities at CHI. He was very supportive and willing to work through potential barriers, toward a positive win win solution. In parallel, and due to my role I was fortunate to have observed him directly and working with constantly changing policy at the management level as well as, expansive acquisition and expansion of a major health system that could frazzle many, but not Brent. He navigated management and leadership from other support groups to the service line gracefully and always looking for the best long term result for all, while staying true to the mission of the service line and CHI leadership goals. All said, he navigated this dynamic environment with patience and ease, and all that worked with him seemed to feel the same way. He is a great person to have on your team, navigating complex project and program initiatives. 

Noel Wade: Retired Healthcare Executive (via LinkedIn)

 I worked with Brent while Brent was at Sybase. Sybase had made a decision to deploy BrightWork pmPoint and Brent was the point on the deployment that we worked with. Brent owned the project. There is lots of interest these days in using SharePoint to manage projects and to use SharePoint to setup a Project Office or multiple Project Offices. In order to be effective in leading such a project you need a variety of skills - three in particular. You need to know project and program management. You need to know SharePoint of course. Most importantly you need to know how to introduce and manage change - be like a management consultant. Brent has strong capabilities in all these three areas. To boot, Brent is one of the good guys. . 

Eamonn McGuinness: CEO, Brightwork (via LinkedIn)

 I worked with Brent for approximately six years at Sybase, initially as peers, and then as his supervisor. During that time, we not only worked on projects together, but we collaborated on various software development life-cycle process implementation and improvement activities, leading to vast quality and efficiency improvements. Brent combines a strong sense of organization, structure, and process with a practical implementation to insure that what he has put in place adds value and is not burdensome. His grasp of what it takes to run efficient and effective software devepment organizations and programs results in successful releases, while continuously improving the development and release process. He is easy going but assertive, and is well liked and respected. His strong diplomacy and personal ethics make make him a valuable contributor in any development organization. 

Leif Johansson: Project Management Expert (via LinkedIn)

 "The moment I interviewed Brent, I knew we had to hire him to lead our Oncology program. He is a wonderful leader who fully supports his teams, who understands his team’s strengths, and who has a knack for aligning those strengths towards the company aligned objectives at hand. His calm, clear focus brings steady excellence to any conflict resolution situation that might arise, allowing work to advance effectively, while keeping the team focused and engaged with one another. I can say he is the best manager that I have worked with in my long career in healthcare. Any company fortunate enough to engage Brent, will definitely enjoy success in any work that he undertakes.” 

David Ridgeway
  

Downloads

Reference Memo

A reference memo received from my team describing my management style.

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Career Success Examples

A small set career success examples - cross industry and cross role.

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Experiences by Function

Examples of expertise by function (functional resume)

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Contact Me

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentohman

Email: beohman@msn.com

Phone: 303.956.8058
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