Jon Cook
IT Quality Assurance Leader
Jon Cook is an accomplished leader in the field of IT Quality Assurance with over a decade of expertise. He has honed his skills and established himself as a reliable and innovative professional. Jon managed a team of over 40 talented individuals at CSAA Insurance Group, where he was responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality software and maintaining industry standards.
Jon's proficiency in Agile methodologies and team development sets him apart as a dynamic and effective leader. He has a knack for fostering a collaborative environment, where team members are encouraged to thrive and contribute their best work. His leadership style is characterized by a commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and a strategic approach to problem-solving. Jon's ability to deliver high-quality software consistently is a testament to his dedication and expertise.
Outside of his professional achievements, Jon is deeply passionate about outdoor activities and lifelong learning. He believes that staying active and engaging with nature not only enhances physical well-being but also provides a fresh perspective and renewed energy for tackling professional challenges. Jon's enthusiasm for continuous learning drives him to stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in his field, ensuring that he remains at the forefront of IT Quality Assurance.
Jon’s guiding principles revolve around delivering exceptional quality in all aspects of his work, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards. He is committed to fostering a collaborative culture, where teamwork and open communication lead to innovative solutions and shared success. Continuous improvement is at the heart of Jon's approach, as he constantly seeks ways to enhance processes, skills, and outcomes. These principles not only drive his professional achievements but also inspire his team to strive for excellence.
His unique strengths include his proven leadership skills, which enable him to guide teams toward achieving their goals effectively. His ability to mentor and develop teams fosters a culture of growth and continuous learning. With strong technical expertise in Agile methodologies and data analysis, Jon ensures that projects are executed efficiently and meet high standards. His excellent communication skills, coupled with active listening, allow him to understand and address the needs of his team and stakeholders. Finally, Jon's effective collaboration strategies ensure seamless teamwork and the successful completion of complex projects.
Who am i?
Jon is a results-oriented IT leader known for his exceptional ability to build and nurture high-performing teams. His strategic vision and innovative solutions have consistently driven success in complex projects and dynamic environments.
Jons leadership style fosters collaboration, empowering team members to excel and deliver outstanding results.
Hobbies
Outdoor Enthusiast
Lifelong Learner
Family Man
Goals
Jon aspires to continue growing his leadership skills by seeking opportunities for professional development and taking on challenging projects that push his capabilities. He is dedicated to mentoring future generations of IT professionals, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them navigate their careers and achieve their own successes.
Skillset
Exemplifies excellence through their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality and continuous process improvement. Their profound technical expertise and leadership skills foster a collaborative environment where team members thrive and produce outstanding results. Passionate about leveraging agile methodologies, they consistently drive innovation and efficiency, ensuring that all projects meet the highest standards.
Skills
Management
Public Speaking
Sales
Project Management
Process Improvement
Leadership
Customer Service
Interpersonal Skills
Team Management
Budget Management
IT Operations
Supervisory Skills
Analytical Skills
Communication
Cross-team Collaboration
Decision-Making
Negotiation
IT Strategy
Scenario Testing
Traceability
Confluence
Management Of International Teams
Off-shore Team Management
Jira
Key Metrics
Software Testing
Learning Management Systems
IT Transformation
Strategic Thinking
IT Management
Achievements
Successfully led and developed a team of 40+ QA engineers.
Defined and maintained QA standards, processes, and quality procedures.
Jon is an exceptional IT Manager with a robust blend of technical expertise and leadership skills. He efficiently manages projects, drives strategic planning, and excels in team leadership and communication. His problem-solving capabilities, IT infrastructure knowledge, cybersecurity expertise, adaptability, and innovative mindset ensure the success and security of his organization.
Led nightly coordination calls with offshore backup team to ensure seamless communication and effective collaboration.
Ensured projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.
Developed long-term plans aligned with business objectives.
Clearly conveyed information and expectations to stakeholders and team members.
Quickly identified and resolved technical and operational issues.
Understands and manages the technical backbone of an organization.
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
- Proven leadership skills, with an ability to work autonomously and empower cross-functional team members.
- Leads and supports a team of 40+ which is a multi-geographical team of Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Test Team Leads.
- Mentored and developed junior and senior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within the team. Developed 5 engineers who received promotions within 2 years.
- Mitigated risk during cost savings exercise to reduce overall budget by $3.5 million. Reduced headcount 10% by leveraging automation coverage and cross-training of staff. Pivoted to a nearshore vendor model to reduce bill rate by 50% for 100% of contracting staff.
- Responsible for substantial portions of expansive Quality Assurance Department which includes defining and maintaining QA standards, processes, and quality procedures.
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY
- Review and assess defects for required deliverables based on sprints.
- Identify valid defects and communicate findings to the Business Analysts.
- Run daily queries using SQL for data mining to provide potential impact.
- Co-lead in daily stand-up to address roadblocks, project completion percentages, and needed assistance.
- Lead Program Analyst testing Homeowners-Auto policies for defects within insurance client system.
LANDIS CYCLERY
- Sales Associate specializing in Trek bikes after completion of detailed sales and product training.
- Learned higher-level mechanical skills and mentor other team members.
- Superior customer service focus to inform customers on overall products and accessories.
- Inventory control and customer sales analytics.
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
- Lead Program Analyst developing application software for a large telecommunications client.
- Conducted functional and manual testing of current technological products, including Blackberries, iPhones, iPads, and Apple software.
- Led a team of 12, presenting results and findings from offshore team members to the client to discuss deliverables and roadblocks.
- Responsible for nightly calls with backup team based offshore.
- Contributed to the successful implementation of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) within the organization.
- Served as a chapter leader, guiding and directing SDETs within large scrum teams.
- Provided expertise on quality assurance practices and deliverables to team members and value stream leaders.
- Played a key role in ensuring alignment between team goals and overall business objectives.
- Led and partnered with solution architects to strategize and execute framework changes.
- Replaced complex and difficult-to-learn frameworks with a simplified and streamlined approach.
- Leveraged unified tools and methods to enhance overall framework effectiveness.
- Enabled team members to onboard more seamlessly and conduct their day-to-day tasks more effectively.
- Worked closely with team members to align their career aspirations and set development goals.
- Supported team members in achieving certifications and attending industry conferences.
- Provided mentorship and guidance on leadership roles and cross-training opportunities.
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Bachelors of Arts & Sciences
Tempe, AZ
Cognizant Technology Solutions
2010
LANDIS CYCLERY
Tempe, Arizona
2012
Cognizant Technology Solutions
2012
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
2015
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
2018
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
2021 - 2024
