Ari is an Enterprise Agile Transformation expert, specialized in implementing diverse scaling agile frameworks for Fortune 100 clients: SAFe, Scrum@Scale, Spotify model, and hybrid of those. He has extensive experience in identifying the enterprise value streams, setting up strategic transformation plans, coordinating teams of coaches, and providing Agile training and coaching at all levels.
An experienced senior-level consultant and entrepreneur, Ari brings a wide range of knowledge and expertise across Agile/lean/kaizen, program/project management, business transformation, strategy, and solution architecture.
In recent roles, Ari led Enterprise Agile Transformations for Citizens Bank, Fidelity Investments, General Electric, BMW Americas, St. Joseph Hospitals Network. He was responsible for a large Agile/SAFe implementation with CISCO, consisting in designing and implementing structures of several Agile teams (ARTs), and he led 200+ NTTD resources in a large Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) program implementation for BCBSNC. Ari’s primary expertise is in Agile/SAFe training, coaching, and execution, implementing Agile at Fortune 100 clients (Walmart, IHG, Home Depot, Macy’s, etc.).
Before leading the Agile Practice for NTT Data USA for 6 years (2012-2017), Ari was a senior consultant with Accenture Consulting, acting as a program/project manager and solution architect lead in large engagements for BCBSFL, Best Buy, Regency, Warner Bros. Studios, and Commercial Bank of Romania, having a strong software engineering and business management background.
He debuted his career during his senior college years starting a small business, which he developed in seven years to become the largest private manufacturer of school supplies in Romania, with a distribution in 22 cities and 3 countries, applying lean, just-in-time, and Kaizan principles to manufacture great product lines.
Ari holds an MBA from University of Iowa, a MSc in Engineering, and an Information Technology post-graduate diploma, along with various Agile certifications, such as Agile Coach Certified (ICP-ACC), Scaled OKRs Certified Coach (SOCC), SPC5 (SAFe) from Scaled Agile, CSP, CSM, CSPO from Scrum Alliance, among others.
Lean/Agile Coaching and Training at all enterprise levels, Agile Transformation for large scale enterprises, Lean/Agile Startup, Value Stream Management, SAFe Consulting and Training, Scrum@Scale, Spotify Framework, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), DevSecOps, and Agile staffing (SM, RTE, and PO)
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