Upcoming Events

Cloud Connect
Santa Clara
Feb 13-16, 2012

Cloud Connect brings together the entire cloud eco-system to better understand the transformation we're experiencing and promises to be the defining event of the cloud computing industry. Learn about the latest cloud technologies and platforms from thought leaders in Cloud Connect’s comprehensive conference.

Register Now!

F E A T U R E

Where The Gloves Come Off

July 8, 2002
By David Joachim

>> continued from previous page

Wesley Bertch, Director of Software Systems

	Issue TOC
	Print full article
	Print this page
	Download as PDF
	E-Mail this URL
	Flame the author

	In this article
	Introduction
	Bahram Akradi, CEO
	Brent Zempel, CIO
	Wesley Bertch, Director of Software Systems
	Robert Mendel, Director of IT Operations
	Gary Lien, Systems Architect
	Jud McKee, Director of Network Operations
	Next Steps

• At Work: Establishes software methodology and framework that aligns with business needs. Directs software development projects, systems integration and system acquisition. Manages four direct reports, 20 indirect reports and a $3 million annual budget

• At Home: 30 years old. Married, 2 daughters. Hobbies include spending time with family and church activities. Fluent in Italian

• Alma Mater:: Carlson School of Business, University of Minnesota, MBA; Brigham Young University, BA in humanities; two semesters at the University of Minnesota School of Law

• Certs: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer

• How He Got Here: Software developer consultant (clients included Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and Life Time Fitness); technical trainer (clients included Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Gateway and Target); helpdesk IT support (University of Minnesota School of Law)

• Mouthing Off:

MMS' greatest technical challenge: "Dealing with the constraints of the Web browser, especially for complex user-interface work and hardware access."

Toughest moment during MMS development: "Talking down the critics outside of Life Time Fitness who predicted failure."

MMS is important to Life Time Fitness because: "It facilitates the business strategy of high growth and product diversification and satisfies the need for an adaptive framework that accommodates change."

I like it when the network operations people: "Work together with the software development unit to create solutions and solve problems."

I dislike it when the network operations people: "Forget to communicate at a nontechnical level with the business users."

If I could change one thing in the IT organization, it would be: "To have better project-tracking software that would be relevant and useful to all functions within the IT organization."

I work at Life Time Fitness because: "It's an exciting, high-energy company leading its industry in quality and because it hires carefully and then encourages employees to take risks."