Mike Berkley,
Chief Information Officer,
WorldSpace Inc
Overall Experience in IT: Over 26 years.
Tenure with WorldSpace Inc.: Since July 2005
I recall my career accomplishment
as:
My first job was with Sprint for five years, where I was awarded the Employee of the Year for my overall performance and attitude towards work. This gave me a boost as it fetched recognition within the company for my technological skills. I have worked with a leading US-based ISP, namely Aerols, where I was the CIO. This role was important to me as it was around the time that I had joined, that Internet was gaining popularity as a technology tool. I have fond memories as I had joined the company when it was starting-up and left it when it became one of the largest ISPs globally.
Biggest Challenge:
The biggest challenge that I faced while working for Aerols was to optimize the existing resources as the company was in its nascent stage. I had immense pressure from the management to keep technology at a very cost effective preposition. I thought that the best way out would be to leverage the best technology for the organization with the least possible resources. Additionally, another element that acted as a challenge for me was the expansion of the IT set up in a growing environment. The company was small in terms of the technology infrastructure but it witnessed huge growth. So, to match up to it, I decided to scale up the technology keeping the cost under control.
Expertise developed:
With the experience that I had acquired over the years, I developed an expertise for facilitating technology solutions, formulating strategic plans and reducing costs. My areas of expertise include a tested skill-set in initializing start-up operations as well as enhancing existing processes.
Job Role at Worldspace:
I am currently employed with Worldspace as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. My job responsibilities are varied, from acting as the Global CIO of Information Technology to handling oversight and strategic planning of Global Customer Care as well.
Assignment before this:
Prior to joining WorldSpace, I worked for Washington Gas and was responsible for managing the IT architecture, its development and engineering. Before making a foray into the IT sector, I was working as an independent management consultant providing advice and expertise to the communications, media and entertainment division of American Management Systems (AMS).
Educational Qualification: I did my Bachelors in Business Administration and Computer Systems from Hofstra University I also completed a course in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Nassau Community College.
Berkley’s career in Information Technology spans a period of 26 years in which he has held numerous executive management positions with leading companies. Some of the important positions that he has held during his tenure include CEO of GenuNet, CIO of RCN and CIO of Aerol’s Internet.
Books read: I recently read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts and liked them.
Outlook towards India: I am a great admirer of this country which is proved by the fact that I have visited it 13 times in the past three years. I like the way talent is complimented by hard work by the people here. Most importantly, the culture and tradition of India has always drawn me towards it and I can never get enough of it.
Being a Cricketer in India: I had played a cricket match in Bangalore when I visited India sometime back. The match was played between employees of Worldspace and I was playing for the IT dept, team of Worldspace. I was thrilled to see the enthusiasm that people have for the game in this country.
---------------------------------------------------------------- As told to Faiz Askari
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