From software developer to CIO, Eddie Jenkins has built a career harnessing technology to solve business problems. He knows, when you can’t do it alone, you partner with experts. He’s written plenty of RFPs, reviewed responses, interviewed top candidates, and worked in the trenches with the winners. But he’s always been on the buyer side of the client-consultant equation… until now. We’re thrilled to have Eddie join us on the provider side of the table. He brings a fresh perspective and insider knowledge of how businesses think and what they want from their tech partner.
Over two decades of IT project experience, Eddie has developed a keen sense for what enterprises need to be successful. He’s confident Mind Over Machines (MOM) can provide it. That’s why he’s joined the team as EVP of Client Services. “MOM invests in innovation, values data, and delivers solutions people actually want to use. Everything they’re doing aligns with my vision for the future of work and how to best help businesses get there,” Eddie explains.
When companies hire strategic technology partners, they aren’t just commissioning a solution. They’re signing on for an experience that arcs from discovery through development to delivery and ongoing support. Eddie will be architecting those experiences, which is why we thought about calling him our chief experience officer, but then we’d have 2 CEOs, and that’s just confusing. Whatever you call him, we’re glad Eddie’s on board, lending his special brand of human-centric growth strategy.
“Eddie has been an amazing leader in IT for many years. He understands the world of our clients because he’s lived it. We are so excited that he’s bringing his CIO experience to Mind Over Machines to help us tailor and deliver exceptional experiences to today’s business leaders.”
– Tim Kulp
Early Architecting
Eddie is a lifelong believer in the power of technology to help us work smarter. Back in high school, his original plan to be an architect led him to a computer-aided drafting course that was cutting-edge for the time. From there, he joined a team of 6 people building log homes in Northern Virginia. They did it all, from digging foundations to finishing touches, and cranked out about 2 a year. It was hard, physical labor that convinced him he needed to go to college.
After a degree from Towson University in computer science, Eddie was all about writing code to solve people’s problems. He jumped on a developer job at Black & Decker. (His carpentry days had instilled a love for quality tools.) And he was all set up to be a code jockey in a cube, except for one thing: a magnetic people personality!
“I would sit in the back office and talk with execs about their pain points,” Eddie remembers. “My boss saw this and quickly transitioned me to a liaison role. I’d gather requirements from business leaders, take them back to my department, and translate them into IT speak.” He took this M.O. global, aggregating the needs of overseas Black & Decker execs to ultimately bring the entire enterprise’s IT operations back to the U.S. Eddie had become an architect after all, drafting tech solutions to business problems.
Anything Is Possible, Especially with Technology
Eddie’s next move was to a smaller, nimbler operation where he could really make his mark. Originally hired with FrontierMEDEX as a software engineer, he soon became part-owner. “I was still young enough that I didn’t know what all ownership entailed, but I knew it meant you needed to work hard to build the company.” And that’s exactly what he did. Eddie and his partners grew MEDEX from 60 to 400 employees and made 6 acquisitions in 6 years. They eventually sold to UnitedHealth in late 2011, a crowning M&A achievement Eddie remembers as being “awesome.”
Eddie poured everything he learned early on about optimizing systems and growing organizations into each successive venture in the healthcare and construction industries. As technology has progressed, so has its ability to revolutionize work and life. “Solving problems with technology is a passion for me throughout my professional and personal life. And I’m passing it on to my kids,” he asserts. “We have 3D printers, robot vacuums; we’re on our second Tesla and are trying out a new Rivian. Young people especially need to embrace tech innovation because it’s how we are going to solve all the big problems society is currently facing.”
“Eddie believes technology can make anything possible,” observes MOM Chief Revenue Officer Steve Navarro. “That techno-enthusiasm coupled with his positive, go-getter attitude makes him the perfect evangelist for our Workforce Ascension℠ & Enhancement (WAE) framework. He wants employees to understand machines as collaborators that empower you to work smarter and really grow into your full, human potential.”
Everybody Loves MOM
Mind Over Machines has been on Eddie’s radar ever since he moved to Baltimore for college. “You always hear amazing things about (Founder & CEO) Tom Loveland and MOM,” he says of the company’s 35-year history. So, when Steve and Chief Innovation Officer Tim Kulp reached out, Eddie eagerly engaged. Tim and Eddie worked together back in the MEDEX-turned-UnitedHealth days and are excited to get the band back together. “This is a powerful senior leadership team, and I’m honored to join it,” Eddie says.
Beyond the C-suite, Eddie has been impressed – and humbled – by the entire MOM staff. “I’m joining a company where I’m not even close to the smartest person in the room. These people are next-level intelligent and will be great to learn from.”
Having spent his career thus far on the other side of the table, Eddie knows what business leaders are looking for in a technology partner, and he’s confident he’s found it: “I love MOM’s approach and process because it is so people-focused. I’ve seen on-time, in-budget tech initiatives fail because project leaders didn’t pay enough attention to users. Here at MOM, I’ll be continuing the adoption focus that creates environments of success.”
From Sponge to Super Advocate
We love that Eddie brings a different perspective. As Tim says, “Eddie has been an amazing leader in IT for many years. He understands the world of our clients because he’s lived it. We are so excited that he’s bringing his CIO experience to Mind Over Machines to help us tailor and deliver exceptional experiences to today’s business leaders.”
But we also respect his drive to learn the consultant side of the equation and how that learning fits into his near and long-term goals for his new position. “Right now, I’m a sponge. My 30-60-90 plan is to learn all I can about our people, our products and services, and our clients,” Eddie explains. “From there, I’m going to crack open the Rolodex I’ve amassed over 20 years of IT work in the Mid-Atlantic and make sure people know I’m so sold on what MOM can bring to the table, I’ve joined the company. Ultimately, my end goal is to make our Client Services a standalone, thriving enterprise within the Mind Over Machines landscape.”
