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Strategic IT Leadership Built on Real-World Experience
We're not typical IT consultants. We've led technology strategy at companies totaling over $500M in revenue—and we bring that same executive-level expertise to mid-market manufacturers who need strategic guidance without the full-time executive cost.
How JEM Strategic IT Advisors Came to Be
JEM Strategic IT Advisors didn't start as a business plan. It started with a phone call.
A former colleague—someone I'd worked with years earlier—had moved to a new company. They were facing the same challenges I'd seen countless times: an IT team caught between leadership's strategic goals and an MSP pushing whatever solution benefited their bottom line. There was a gap. And they needed someone they could trust to bridge it.
Then another call came. And another.
What I realized:
Mid-market companies—especially in construction, manufacturing, and fabrication—were being left behind. They didn't have the budget for a full-time CIO, but they desperately needed strategic IT leadership. Their MSPs were focused on keeping systems running, not aligning technology with business goals. And executives were making six-figure technology decisions without the expertise or confidence to know if they were making the right call.
So I built JEM Strategic IT Advisors to fill that gap.
We provide the strategic IT leadership that mid-market companies need—at a cost they can actually afford. We bring CIO-level expertise, industry-specific knowledge, and a people-first philosophy that empowers teams instead of replacing them.
And now, as AI transforms every industry, we're helping those same companies navigate the biggest technology shift of our generation—with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap that actually works.
We've Led IT at Companies Totaling Over $500M in Revenue
Our approach isn't built on theory or case studies from someone else's playbook. It's built on decades of real-world experience leading technology strategy in complex, operational environments.
Where we've been:
- Started with a Unix consulting company, traveling the country and solving technical challenges across industries
- Worked my way from IT Manager to CIO at a major Philadelphia construction company
- Led large-scale transformations including ERP migrations, bank mergers, and international company acquisitions
- Served in CIO roles at companies in construction, manufacturing, and engineering—totaling over $500M in combined revenue
What we learned:
- Technology decisions at the executive level have long-term consequences. You can't just "figure it out as you go."
- The gap between IT teams and C-suite leadership creates costly miscommunication, misaligned priorities, and missed opportunities.
- Most MSPs and IT consultants are focused on their own bottom line—not yours.
- Mid-market companies deserve the same caliber of strategic IT leadership as Fortune 500 companies—they just need a different engagement model.
That's why we do this work.
We've been in the CIO seat. We've presented to boards, managed budgets, negotiated with vendors, led teams, and delivered results. We know what works—and more importantly, we know what doesn't.
Our Clients Asked Us to Lead Them Through This
A few years ago, the conversations started shifting.
The same executives who had trusted us with ERP implementations, cybersecurity strategies, and IT team development started asking a new question: "What should we do about AI?"
They weren't looking for hype or buzzwords. They needed practical guidance:
- How do we implement AI safely?
- What policies do we need?
- How do we get our team on board?
- How do we measure ROI and avoid expensive mistakes?
And they needed someone they could trust—not a vendor trying to sell them the latest shiny tool.
That's when we realized: AI Readiness isn't just another IT project. It's a transformation that requires strategic leadership, change management, and a people-first approach.
So we built a framework specifically for mid-market manufacturers—companies that don't have dedicated AI teams, data science departments, or unlimited budgets, but still need to compete in an AI-driven world.
Unlike the vendors and consultants selling "AI solutions," we start with your people, your processes, and your goals. Then we build a roadmap that actually fits your operational reality.
Technology Should Empower People, Not Replace Them
Here's what we believe: Your employees are your competitive advantage.
We've seen too many leaders approach technology with a "cut costs by 10%" mentality—slashing headcount, demoralizing teams, and ultimately hurting the company's ability to grow. Short-term savings. Long-term damage.
We take a different approach.
Our goal is never to reduce your workforce. It's to empower your team to do more, work smarter, and drive revenue growth. When your people are equipped with the right tools, training, and support, they become more valuable—not obsolete.
This philosophy comes from experience.
Over the years, we've had the privilege of leading incredible teams. We've watched people grow when they're empowered with technology. We've seen morale soar when employees feel supported instead of threatened. And we've seen the financial results that come from investing in people, not cutting them.
That's the foundation of everything we do at JEM Strategic IT Advisors.
Whether we're implementing AI, optimizing IT strategy, or managing vendor relationships, we do it with one question in mind: How does this make your team more effective and your company more competitive?
We Know Your World
We specialize in construction, manufacturing, and fabrication for a simple reason: we've lived it.
We understand:
- Shop floor operations and production workflows
- Project-based work and tight deadlines
- Supply chain complexity and vendor dependencies
- Compliance requirements and safety standards
- The operational realities that make your business different from a tech startup or retail company
We speak your language. We don't show up with generic IT advice that sounds good in a PowerPoint but falls apart in the real world. We bring strategies that work in your environment, with your constraints, and for your goals.
And we understand the mid-market gap.
You're too big to wing it with ad-hoc IT decisions. But you're not big enough to justify a $200K+ CIO salary. You need executive-level strategic guidance—but you need it to be flexible, affordable, and results-driven.
That's exactly what we deliver.
A Little More About Me
Outside of technology strategy and AI readiness, I'm a husband and father who loves spending time with my family—especially traveling together. I tolerate winter, but I live for summer.
I'm a proud Penn State grad, and you'll often find me catching games with friends—it's my way of staying connected and taking a break from the world of IT strategy.
But here's what drives me professionally: I get energized by helping leaders solve complex problems. There's nothing more satisfying than watching a company go from "we have no idea what to do about AI" to "we have a clear strategy, our team is bought in, and we're already seeing results."
That's why I do this work.
Collaboration, Not Prescription
We're not the kind of consultants who show up, drop a 100-page report on your desk, and disappear.
Our approach is collaborative. We work alongside your leadership team, your IT staff, and your existing vendors. We listen first, then we advise. We ask questions, challenge assumptions (respectfully), and build strategies that fit your culture and goals.
We're not here to tell you what to do. We're here to help you make confident, informed decisions.
And when we say "we," we mean it. While I lead every engagement personally, I work with a trusted network of specialists when additional expertise or capacity is needed. You get the strategic leadership and accountability of working directly with me, combined with the depth and capability of a full team when projects require it.
Bottom line: You're not getting a faceless consulting firm. You're getting a strategic partner who's invested in your success.
Let's Start a Conversation
If you're a mid-market manufacturing or construction leader who's tired of:
- Making technology decisions without strategic guidance
- Dealing with vendors who prioritize their bottom line over yours
- Wondering what to do about AI while competitors move ahead
- Struggling to align IT with business goals
Then let's talk.
We'll have an honest conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and whether we're the right partner to help you get there.
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a straightforward discussion about your challenges and our approach.
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