Qualifications

William D. Gage

Bill Gage, founder of Savitar Consulting, Inc., is a Senior Business Practices and Information Management Professional with strong capabilities in financial and operations management. Mr. Gage has over twenty-five years of business systems and high level consulting experience, with emphasis in technology, transportation, and consumer goods.

He is particularly skilled in bridging business needs with systems solutions by understanding strategic objectives and existing environments, and in developing enhanced solutions for operations and financial management systems and processes. Recently, he has been leading a major initiative to set the direction for and then implement e-Business capabilities for a Bay Areas client.

Mr. Gage’s project accomplishments include having:

Performed a variety of assignments for an international medical research and laboratory products company. Projects have included:
- Developed requirements for eCommerce capabilities for the company's web site and managed the evaluation and selection of software (BroadVision) to meet this need. Served with the client as the co-project manager for the successful implementation project. On-going assistance is addressing extending the initially installed capabilities.
- Assessed international sales reporting practices, leading to a significantly enhanced process for monthly consolidation of data from distributed disparate operations systems. Recommendations also highlighted the approach and benefit of incorporating this information into a data mart for enhanced analysis and reporting.
- Developed the business requirements for an integrated order processing, finished goods inventory and distribution system, and coordinated the user evaluation and selection of the Baan system to address this need. This system has now been installed.
- Oversaw Year 2000 assessment and remediation activities worldwide, addressing IT systems, products and services, facilities and production equipment, and third-party supplier relationships.
Directed a middle-market finance system software evaluation and selection process for a provider of retirement living and health care services. Worked with an internal project team to define finance system requirements, evaluate alternative software and vendors and select a combination of finance system software and consulting assistance for the implementation. Provided similar assistance in addressing Marketing, Human Resource and Billing system needs. Performed continuing assistance to the Vice President Finance in overseeing these implementation projects and other aspects of IT management.
Performed several projects for a major San Francisco law firm, including overseeing the evaluation and selection of a new financial accounting and billing system.
Held the lead role in defining the business systems requirements for a new business venture for a major container leasing company. The project focused on development of major systems operating in a client server environment, and using advanced development technologies.
Managed the development, implementation and on-going support of an ocean container terminal management system, supporting all aspects of marine terminal operations. The system was PC/LAN-based; Mr. Gage was responsible for operations of the business application as well as the underlying LAN infrastructure.
Working with the founder/CEO of a small software company, assisted in developing annual financial forecasts to help drive operations and continuing performance improvements. The company achieved annual sales of over $11 million prior to being sold to a larger internet services company.

Mr. Gage has also held senior IT management positions with Matson Navigation Company, a major west coast ocean shipping company, and with Castle & Cooke (now the Dole Food Company). Previous consulting experience included nine years with KPMG Peat Marwick.

Mr. Gage served three years as an officer in U. S. Army Aviation (Helicopter), including a year in Vietnam. He has a BA from Pomona College and an MBA in Finance from the University of California at Berkeley.

He is active in the community, having served as Treasurer of the Marin Catholic High School Boosters and the Davidson Middle School PTA and Director and Treasurer of the Glenwood School Foundation in San Rafael. He has also served as Treasurer and Director of The San Francisco Yacht Club.