Linda L. Nelson

Professional Experience

Vice President, Quality Management
Brandt Information Systems, Inc.
October 2002-August 2007

• Senior Consultant for business development and provides assistance to state agencies,
  local governments, and other covered entities achieve HIPAA Privacy, Transaction and
  Code Sets, and Security compliance. Key areas of responsibility include strategies and
  systems design for HIPAA Compliance, Project Management, Risk Assessment and
  Remediation, Policy and Procedure Development and Training, and Access and
  Disclosure tracking and reporting. She also represents the company in strategic initiatives
  and new market development.
• Current and recent clients and projects within Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, Hillsborough County, Broward County, Alachua County, Sarasota County, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, The Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, and Polk County.
  

Chief Information Officer-Director of Information Technology
Department of Health
2000-2002

• Responsibilities included executive planning and support as well as highly technical areas
  of statewide telecommunications, security, enterprise systems development and information
  integration.
• Leadership roles included: Florida Health Information Systems Council (FHISC) chair, Health
  Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Task Force member and Security
  Compliance lead, Southern Governors Association (SGA) Task Force on Telemedicine and
  Bio-terrorism member, Florida Health Care Access Steering Committee (211 Rule
  Certification and Information Technology Steering Committees) appointee, and statewide
  Telemedicine Workgroup Co-chair.

Responsibilities:

• Oversaw and managed statewide infrastructure systems and operations - system maintenance (Microsoft, Citrix and SUN UNIX, Office, email, virus protection, upgrades/patches, license management tools), domain services, account management, capacity planning, change control, standards maintenance, user support, asset management, configuration management networking and telecommunications services - Intranet, Internet, Extranet.
• Supported agency Internet services – hosting, publishing, standards, and content management.
• Directed software engineering (RUP) – procurement, licensing, version control, interoperability, contract management, applications development and maintenance.

Accomplishments:

• Championed the successful e-renewal system for 500,000 health providers through an Internet based system that accepted credit cards online, allowed updates of personal information for a cost of $28,000 and reduction of bad checks by 90%.
• Initiated data integration, data administration standards, meta-data and operational data stores, common client tracking (EMPI) utilizing (Oracle, Microsoft SQL, Informix, Cache).
• Deployed enterprise Integrated Health Information Systems Strategy (Service Oriented Architecture) to enable data sharing and integration among disparate systems.
• Data Integration - adopted and implemented an industry standard solution for integration and common client tracking utilizing an Integration Broker (IB) to facilitate data exchange among multiple systems and common client identifier - the Enterprise Master Person Index (EMPI) for indexing and event tracking among those patients registered with the EMPI to eliminate duplication of effort, reduce errors and afford improved data integrity.
• Led efforts to employ an iterative Information Systems Development Instituted IHIS Steering Committee for shared decision-making and resource.

Chief Information Officer
Florida Department of Management Services
1998-2000

• Ensured technology initiatives undertaken by the agency met the vision and objectives
  established by the agency and State Technology Council.
  

Florida Distance Learning Network (FDLN) Board Member
Florida Department of Management Services
1998-2000

• Represented agency for technical, business, and management of Board issues to benefit health, education and public interests.
  

Director, Information Technology Program
Florida Department of Management Services
1997-2000

• Directed information systems unit including state purchasing and personnel applications, hardware, software, and data center facilities, applications development, and customer service center. Managed engineering systems for the state telecommunications network that included designing public safety radio systems for state, county, and other political subdivisions. Led State Emergency Operations communications response unit (ESF2).
• Directed the Information Technology services and implementation of advanced telecommunications services plan for state and other political subdivisions.
  Implemented state telecommunication deregulation activities with public and private organizations for education, libraries, and health care entities.
• Successfully petitioned FCC on behalf of Florida procurement and reimbursement policies.
• Championed state Internet web site to increase access to government services.
• Served as State of Florida 911 Director.
  

Accomplishments:

• Achieved 90% privatization with state control of quality, functionality, and direction.
• Awarded over 50 contracts to comply with FCC rules enabling schools and libraries to receive $202M in E-Rate funds increasing state return from 25 cents to 76 cents.
• Initiated statewide telemedicine network (with DOH), web casting network, Internet video, and Internet wireless/mobile radio projects.
• Merged two divisions (telecommunications and information services) to capitalize on emerging technologies, agency resources, and talent and leverage strategic industry partnerships.
• Devised a plan to consolidate and publish the telecommunications needs of over 500 schools, libraries, and healthcare providers working with education, health care and public libraries (6,000 sites) through an Internet based application that encouraged competition, statewide infrastructure development, interoperability, and interagency collaboration.
• Oversaw the Asynchronous Transport Mode (ATM) upgrade of the public telecommunications network to reduce local access charges and recurring rates and increase interoperability.
• Conceived and Developed the State of Florida Shared Resource Center (SRC) to consolidate data center functionality into a hardened facility for data warehousing, disaster recovery, and telecommunications support to Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Served as the Southern Region President and National Board Member of the National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD).
• Represented NASTD on APCO Project 25 national standards committee member for wireless public safety.
  

Assistant to the Secretary
Florida Department of Management Services
Hebrock and Associates
1997

Responsibilities:

• Championed advanced telecommunications services (ATS) initiative to increase access, reduce costs and foster competition for education, libraries, and health care.
• Led efforts for agency membership and participation in the national Internet 2 initiative.
  Facilitated the Florida Government Internet design and development efforts.
• Implemented strategic efforts to streamline government services, increase competition, and consolidate systems through use of Internet technologies.
  

Assistant Director, Information Technology Program, Hardware and Infrastructure
Florida Department of Management Services
1997

Responsibilities:

• Directed activities of SUNCOM (state telecommunications network), Computer Operations, and Platform Services (Systems - mainframe UNISYS, IBM, UNIX, Microsoft NT, UNIX, desk top, Internet) and Shared Resource Center.
• Served as the liaison to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
• Coordinated the ATM (data, voice, video, image, consolidation) networking task force.
• Developed and published the service request database for 6,000 education, library, and rural health care sites for migration and upgrade of the statewide integrated services.

Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director
Florida Distance Learning Network (FDLN)
1995-1997

Responsibilities:

• Published the Florida Distance Learning Network (FDLN) Initial Needs Assessment, The FDLN Technology Plan, and FDLN Technical Task Force Report (standards of interoperability).
• Managed the FDLN budget ($15M), legislative reports, and public meetings.
• Represented the FDLN through presentations, interviews, support/informational activities at the local, state, and national level.
• Coordinated FDLN efforts – the Needs Assessment Committee, Technology Planning Committee, and Technical Task Force Committee.
• Managed the technical and commercial aspects of the Florida satellite transponder.

Director, Center for Education Technology
Florida Department of Education (FDOE)
1995-1997

Responsibilities:

• Administered The Florida Department of Education/Tallahassee Community College (DOE/TCC) Distance Learning Grant Program of $2M and The Legislative Computer Educational Redeployment Program.
• Develop and Coordinate Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) with 17,000 attendees over three days (as Program Co-Chair).
• Served as the representative and liaison for the DOE for distance education.
• Directed center activities including multi-media and network training, statewide educational technology planning and training coordination in support of DOE projects.

Accomplishments:

• Directed the telecommunications needs assessment of education, health care, public libraries and telecommunications industry on behalf of the Governor and Legislature for future planning, budgeting and service development.
• Created the state technology plan incorporating statutory requirements for advanced telecommunications with the demonstrated needs of education, health care, public libraries, and telecommunications industry that was subsequently used to jump start Florida in the attainment of federal Universal Service funds.
• Facilitated development of the telecommunications standards of interoperability for education, health care, public libraries, and the industry that required consensus on needs, standards for legislative policy and budgeting.
• Devised a strategy to re-deploy and upgrade approximately 1000 computers to the public education community (some requiring the manufacture of product specific CD-ROM cards, product licensing) and a statewide plan for monitoring and distribution in a joint legislative project behalf of the Commissioner of Education.

Director/Coordinator/CIO of Data Management Systems
Palm Beach County School District
1992-1995

Responsibilities:

• Directed the technology efforts of the district.
• Worked as liaison with community based initiatives.
• Represented the district in federal, state, and local matters of reporting, accountability, and technology initiatives.
• Maintained accurate accounting, internal controls, capacity planning and resource management data.
• Trained personnel in use and function of district systems.
• Testified and presented at federal, state, and local venues for district.

Accomplishments:

• Established single business unit from disparate divisions with a $50M budget that included telecommunications, maintenance, records retention, audit/compliance, fiscal reporting, data processing, applications development, instructional computing, and tangible assets.
• Eliminated unauthorized spending, made drastic budget cuts (state funds were in deficit) reduced personnel by 20% and administrative personnel by over seventy-five percent.
• Replaced state reporting systems to increase funds by approx. $25M in one year.
• Created a five year technology plan for 150 sites, 126,000 students, 16,000 employees, 400 networks, 40,000 desktop computers for the largest geographic district in the state.
• Meshed telecommunications and infrastructure to migrate to Internet based systems.
  Implemented a two way video network for distance learning in rural and under-served areas.
• Developed, negotiated, and engineered a multi-year integrated learning contact with a national provider (with Paramount/VIACOM) that created a national demonstration project that included ongoing on-site technical support, maintenance, upgrades, staff development, and software upgrades through the life of the partnerships.
• Retrofitted every elementary and middle school to support advanced telecommunications.
• Facilitated the development of a paperless imaging system.
• Served on DOE boards and councils - Public School Council, Model Technology School Advisory Committee, Public/Private Electronic Design Team for Year 2000.
• Developed, with Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC) – Paramount, VIACOM, a Home School Connection for distance learning as part of a national demonstration partnership.
• National/International: Represented the District in an International U.S. Department of State Partnership with Quito, Ecuador, to develop and support their instructional and administrative technology plan.

Project Manager and Specialist
Palm Beach County School District
1978-1991

• Facilitated DOE state reporting applications and data collection systems.
• Standardized the integrated data-voice services (DVS – x.25 integrated telecommunications).
• Developed user support programs for computer systems and software that included writing curriculum, training and reporting manuals, guides, and online documentation.
• Developed curriculum integration guides, teacher and administrative training, network and hardware support, and approved software and hardware for purchases.
• Developed instructional programs for exceptional educational technology that included adaptive and augmentive technologies and ADA compliance.
• Taught regular class instruction, science resource, dropout prevention, piloted Educably Mentally Handicapped mainstreaming, Title VII Migrant Programs, etc.
  

Professional Memberships

• Leadership Tallahassee (Class 24)
• Greater Tallahassee Chamber – Member
• Community Human Services Partnership (CHSP) Citizens Evaluation Team Member
• Office of the Public Guardian -- Board Member and Volunteer
• The Shelter – Coordinator 1st  Saturday Meals ( as mission for St. Louis Church)
• Alzheimer’s Project – Volunteer for Respite Care
• Leon School District – Internal Audit Committee
• Tallahassee Symphony Society -- Member
• Florida Health Information Systems Council (FHISC) – Former Chair
• Department of Health (DOH) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) -- Steering Committee and Security Compliance Lead
• Southern Governors Association (SGA) Task Force on Telemedicine and Bio-terrorism – Former State Technology Representative
• Florida Health Care Access Steering Committee (211 Rule Certification and Information Technology Steering Committees) appointee
• Telemedicine Workgroup DOH – Former Co-chair
• Association of Medical Informatics Officials (AMIA) -- Member
• Association of Public Health Chief Information Officers (APHCIO) – Former Member
• National Association of State Telecommunications Directors (NASTD) – Former Southern Region President and National Board Member
• National Association of State Information Resource Executives (NASCIO) & National Infrastructure Committee
• Florida Department of Health Task Force on Telehealth
• Florida Information Service Technology Development Task Force – eInfrastructure Sub-Committee Co-chair (ITFlorida.com)
• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO) Board Member
• Florida Distance Learning Network Advisory Council -- Former State Designee
• Florida Association of State Administrators (FASA)
• Phi Delta Kappa – Honor Society
• Delta Kappa Gamma – Honor Society
• Florida Public School Advisory Council
• Palm Beach County Reading Council – Former President, Program Coordinator
• Florida Reading Association (FRA) and International Reading Association (IRA) Council of Presidents and State Delegate
• Florida Public School Advisory Council
  

Education

• Florida Atlantic University, Post Graduate Studies, Administration
• Florida Atlantic University, Master of Education, Educational Leadership, Graduated Honors
• Florida Atlantic University, Bachelor of Arts, Education, Graduated Honors
• Palm Beach Junior College, Associate of Arts, Psychology,
• Novell Network Administrator, Palm Beach County
• Certified Advanced DVIX (UNIX), Telecommunications, NORTEL
• Certified System Administrator for Telecommunications, NORTEL
• FAU/NSF/Developed Expert Systems for Physics and Chemistry Education, 90 credit hours, (National Science Foundation)