Deputy Chief Information Officer at Johns Hopkins University; focus on information technology in higher education and healthcare
Geoffrey is a superstar at Johns Hopkins!
I played a key role in recruiting Geof to work at Hopkins, one of my prouder achievements. Geof has a rare combination of talents. He is extraordinarily bright and quick to see how new technology can be used productively. He pairs this with an unusually acute ability to think strategically and devise effective business solutions. He has demonstrated exceptional judgement throughout all aspects of his responsibilities.
In the five years Geof and I worked together, I saw him navigate the complex Hopkins environment to very rightfully move from a technical manager position into a senior directorship. He has been able to earn the confidence of the Hopkins administration, working collaboratively with deans, directors, staff, students, and vendors. He has built a team which is both productive and close-knit. He delivered a multi-million dollar student system which had a history of difficulties when be took responsibility for it. He was able to address the problems methodically and build relationships with the literally hundreds of key stakeholders to implement the application successfully.
I am confident that Geof is capable of meeting any challenge that is placed before him. He could work at the chief architect/CTO or CIO level if he were called upon to do so.
I act as a reference for many people, and Geof is absolutely at the top of my list.
Geoff is a consummate professional. His leadership, knowledge and attention to detail were paramount to the success of projects and the organization as a whole. He taught me a great deal. I have the utmost respect for him.
I hold Geof in the highest regard. He has solid track record of delivering innovative solutions and also clearly communicating goals and expectations across multiple development teams.
Geof is an extraordinarily effective and talented information technology leader. He has a proven record of successful systems implementations and support. Geof is able to direct and motivate teams of technical professionals with different levels of talent. In a very short period of time, Geof has gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues and customers on all levels. He takes great pride in a job well done. It’s a great pleasure to work for him and I look forward to continue working with him in the future.
Geof is a skilled IT leader. He is technically savvy, customer oriented and a skilled problem solver. He has built a bright and energetic team of IT professionals. He regularly wins over skeptical customers by developing a collaborative approach with attention to detail. He is able to take a customer problem and understand that by solving one problem he has the opportunity to resolve larger issues for a wider customer base. He involves his customers in the solution's development and gains their trust and buy-in as they become a full partner in the resolution. He is one of our stars and teaches me about the challenges of IT, as I manage the funding for our systems and initiatives.
Geoff has a unique ability to think strategically about the big picture without compromising his laser-like focus on the details. He is often steps ahead of others, anticipating and addressing issues before they become problems. He thinks on his toes and maintains a level head even in the most difficult situations. He is a trusted and respected colleague who takes great pride in a job well done.
Geof and I worked together in various roles for nearly nine years; during much of this time, I reported directly to him. Geof is an expert, ambitious leader in countless ways and has an unblemished track record of success across a portfolio of systems of all sizes. Perhaps the best description I can offer is that it is an honor to work with him and work for him.
Geof is a strategic thinker, partner and service provider of the highest order. He is mission-driven and skilled in building relationships, aligning resources to advance the cause. I learned much from Geof about systems, leadership and service delivery. I cab wholeheartedly endorse Geof as a leader/CIO, colleague, service provider, business partner. As important, he has impeccable integrity, values and decency personally and professionally.
Geof is an exceptional IT executive. He has an unusual blend of technical application and customer relationship skills. In our IT group of over 600 professionals, there is no one near his capability and performance across the principal areas of IT management. He is an expert project manager in both traditional and agile modes. He is unusually conversant in Web services and technologies. It is largely unheard of for a senior executive managing multiple client server applications to have such a firm grip on future technologies. He is also prescient on how far to push IT infrastructures to meet the application/user requirements for systems. He has assumed responsibility for nearly-broken IT groups and put together and executed recovery plans. He has also assumed responsibility for already well run organizations and made them better. He is our go-to guy on business intelligence, user interfaces and several other increasingly important areas. He is also a good guy with a lot of integrity. I have learned a great deal from him on how to manage my business in a difficult environment. I cannot have a more enthusiastic endorsement.
Geof has been a trusted partner on a varied and vast number of IT projects at Hopkins. I have worked closely with him on the implementation of the university-wide student information system, on the data-driven decision making initiative, and on the selection and implementation of several course management systems. Geof is an IT leader who is professional, thorough, and very strategic in his thinking and approach to problem solving. I enjoy our ongoing work relationship.
