FedEx Express' Asia Pacific chief information officer, Alison Dack, is only new to the Hong Kong-based role, but having spent four years with the logistics company, there's a good chance she knows a bit about the business. With a breadth of management and IT-based experience behind her, Dack now takes on the important role of determining the technology required to get that package to your door; and there's a lot of it.
See Computerworld Australia's Salary Calculator
As Dack settles into her role, she talks to Computerworld Australia about her experience, and the "bits and bytes" that caused her to get into the industry in the first place.
Can you provide a brief history of your career in IT?
I have over 30 years experience leading technology operations and initiatives across various industry sectors with the culmination of my experience resulting in my current role as Vice President, Information Technology and CIO, Asia Pacific FedEx Express. I was appointed to this role in August 2010.
Prior to my current role I held the position of Managing Director, IT Services Asia Pacific, FedEx Express to which I was appointed in 2006. In this capacity I was responsible for the delivery and management of technology services to support FedEx business needs in Asia
Before joining FedEx I was the Consultant Programme Manager for a multinational media and entertainment company, leading the implementation of more than 20 critical business solutions and other technologies necessary to support the operations of a multi-billion dollar start-up business.
I have also set up my own management consulting company based in U.K. and in 1997, I moved to Hong Kong to take up a Vice President position overseeing IT strategy and architecture at a major telecommunications service provider.
My initial graduate traineeship was in management consulting and software services at a company in the United Kingdom (U.K.). It was a great learning ground and the customer service-oriented position enabled me to see the value of IT from a strategic business perspective.
What are you responsible for in your new role at FedEx?
As Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, Asia Pacific, I am responsible for strategising and leading the Information Technology group in Asia Pacific which supports and enhances the FedEx technology infrastructure and information flows to meet regional business goals.
I lead a team of 400 talented IT employees based across 13 countries and they provide business technology software engineering, voice and data network management, data center and information security services and field support for all FedEx business and operational IT solutions in Asia Pacific.
What caused you to get into IT in the first place?
In a high-school extra-curricula course, I discovered a real affinity for the logic of ‘bits and bytes’ and the power of ‘0 and 1.’ Later, when considering career options, I was attracted by the opportunity of leveraging the power of technology solutions not only to solve business problems but also to extend the horizons of business development.