Christopher J O'brien,
About Christopher J O'brien,
Christopher J. O'Brien is an IT Infrastructure, Operations, and Security professional with extensive experience in leadership roles across various companies, including Oriental Trading Company and Staples. He specializes in ERP implementation, business transformation, and private equity M&A, and has a strong background in managing cross-functional teams.
Current Role at Oriental Trading Company
Christopher J O'Brien has been serving as the IT Infrastructure, Operations & Security professional at Oriental Trading Company, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, since 2017. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the company's IT infrastructure and operations, ensuring security measures are in place to protect company data and systems. His expertise contributes to the company's strategic objectives and operational efficiency.
Previous Experience in IT Leadership
O'Brien has held several significant leadership positions in the IT sector. He was Vice President & CIO at York Label from 2006 to 2011, and prior to that, he served in the same capacity at Staples from 2000 to 2006. His experience also includes a role as Director of Business Information Systems at Infogroup from 1997 to 1998, and Director of Systems & Programming at Staples from 1998 to 2000. These roles have equipped him with extensive knowledge in managing IT operations and leading cross-functional teams.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Christopher J O'Brien holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management Services from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, completed between 1994 and 1997. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Creighton University from 1981 to 1986. Additionally, he participated in the Executive Development Program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, obtaining an EDP Certificate in 1997.
Expertise in Business Transformation and M&A
O'Brien specializes in various areas including ERP selection and implementation, business transformation, change management, and application integration. He has recent experience in mergers and acquisitions and private equity, focusing on executing strategic growth and value creation plans. His broad experience encompasses directing growth and innovation at large global consumer products and food/beverage companies, such as Procter & Gamble, L'Oreal, and Unilever.
Career Progression and Roles
Throughout his career, Christopher J O'Brien has held diverse roles that reflect his expertise in IT and operations. He worked at Mutual of Omaha as an Actuarial Analyst and later in Actuarial Systems Development from 1987 to 1994. He also served as Director of Software Development at Zurich Insurance from 1994 to 1997. His career has been marked by a consistent focus on IT leadership and operational excellence across various industries.