Monday, July 30, 2018

Texas Rangers Announce Signing of Three International Players


Chad Greenslade most recently served as vice president of the Information Technology (IT) Project, Program, and Project Management Office (PMO) of Cardtronics, Inc. in Frisco, TX. In this role, he managed all strategic and program development in the delivery of approximately 65 capital and operational projects. A former high school baseball player, Dallas resident Chad Greenslade is an avid Texas Rangers baseball fan.

On July 2, 2018, which was the official start of Major League Baseball's international signing period, the Texas Rangers announced the team had signed three international players to contracts. The team had almost $5 million to spend in this area. One signee included catcher Jose Rodriguez, who is the 21st-ranked prospect among international teens according to MLB.com and the 36th-ranked prospect according to Baseball America’s international free agent list. The 16 year old, who signed for $2 million, hails from Venezuela.

The two other signees included Dominican Republic shortstop Junior Paniagua, who signed for $300,000, and Venezuelan shortstop Luisangel Acuna, who agreed to a $425,000 deal. Acuna is the brother of Ronald Acuna, one of the Atlanta Braves’ star prospects.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Project Management Institute Issues Management Certifications


Involved in information technology (IT) management for nearly two decades, Chad Greenslade most recently worked as the director of the IT Project Management Office (PMO) at Cardtronics, Inc. in Houston, TX. To help him remain current with industry trends, Dallas resident Chad Greenslade belongs to the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Established in 1969, PMI seeks to further the project management profession. The nonprofit organization works closely with 2.9 million professionals scattered across the globe through educational opportunities, research, advocacy efforts, and collaboration. It also offers eight certifications that acknowledge competency in the field of project management. Four of these designations are briefly described below.

* Project Management Professional (PMP). This is the premier certification offered, and organizations recognize this certification throughout the world. It signifies that the person is competent to perform as a project manager and can lead and direct teams and projects.

* Program Management Professional (PgMP). This certification indicates that the person is capable of managing multiple complex projects.

* Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP). An individual with this certification has the advanced experience and skills of a proficient portfolio manager.

* Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This designation demonstrates the knowledge, terminology, and processes required for effective project management.

Monday, July 23, 2018

ITIL - A System for Ensuring Proper IT Service Management


Chad Greenslade is a Dallas, TX-based IT project manager with more than 15 years of leadership experience. Focused on efficiency and responsiveness, Chad Greenslade has extensive knowledge of the information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) framework for managing IT departments. 

One of the five core ITIL components is Service Strategy, which involves creating a service lifecycle pathway that aligns with core business objectives. Using a bespoke demand management process, user profiles are created. These profiles represent those groups of users that typically require access to specific services over a given time period. Understanding user behavior helps to ensure that the right pieces are in place, at the proper capacity, to ensure seamless operations.

Another aspect of ITIL is Financial Management, which brings focus to understanding the specific costs and opportunities involved in providing a suite of services. This includes real time accounting of the money flow associated with the service provider and setting in place a workable budget. It also extends to ensuring that customers pay the correct amount for services provided.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Dallas Cowboys Poised to Regain Momentum in 2018


Based in Dallas, TX, Chad Greenslade is an accomplished IT project management professional. A fitness and outdoors enthusiast, Chad Greenslade follows professional sports teams such as the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

With the Cowboys’ offense having failed to produce as expected in 2017, the team is preparing for September by building up an offense around quarterback Dak Prescott. Now in his third season, Prescott has a level of mobility in the pocket that his team has not fully taken advantage of. 

One key to capitalizing on Prescott's skill set will be getting running back Ezekiel Elliott back to full production. Despite sitting on the bench for more than a third of the season due to a six-game suspension in 2017, Elliott averaged 98.3 yards per game, which was the highest in the NFL. 

The young defense is also stepping up to the plate and poised to take pressure off the offense. Players that have emerged as leaders include Sean Lee and DeMarcus Lawrence, with Rod Marinelli anchoring the defensive secondary. With the NFC lacking a single dominant team, the Cowboys are confident that they can compete at a high level and reach the playoffs once again.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

High School Stars Are Rangers' Early MLB Draft Selections


A former IT manager and executive with Think Finance and Cardtronics, Inc., Chad Greenslade is skilled at providing oversight and leadership to capital and operational projects across various business lines. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chad Greenslade is a passionate fan of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Texas Rangers.

The Rangers missed the playoffs in 2017 and appeared early-on in the 2018 season to be on pace for a similar result. That meant increased expectations were placed on the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft, where the team had a chance to stockpile its system with talented, young players capable of contributing to a winning team in the future. 

With its first-round pick, 15th overall, the Rangers drafted right-handed pitcher Cole Winn out of Lutheran High School in California. He throws a fastball in the mid-90s and boasts a simple pitching motion that could see him reach the big leagues in the not-too-distant future. Texas used its first picks to draft high school players rather than already-established college players, though the high schoolers probably won’t make it to the “big show” until at least 2020, according to the Dallas Observer.

With its second-round pick, the team added right-handed pitcher Owen White out of Jesse Carson High School in North Carolina, although he had originally committed to the University of South Carolina. Shortstop Jonathan Ornelas, right-handed pitcher Mason Englert, and outfielder Jayce Easley rounded out the team's first five selections in the 40-round draft.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

PMI Global Conference 2018 Coming to Los Angeles


A magna cum laude information-systems graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Chad Greenslade is an experienced IT professional who most recently served as vice president of the IT Project Management Office at Cardtronics, Inc. Additionally, Chad Greenslade is a member of the Dallas chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

PMI is the global leader in professional development opportunities and certifications for project and portfolio management business professionals From October 6-8, thousands of like-minded individuals will have a chance to network and advance their capabilities at the PMI Global Conference in Los Angeles. The three-day event is preceded by a four-day pre-conference and followed by a three-day post-conference, both of which are hosted by SeminarsWorld. The main event begins October 6 with an introduction from keynote speaker Jon Dorenbos as well as several programs and courses along with the PMI Professional Awards Gala. 

Participants can build their own conference schedules and attend the seminars they are most interested in. Examples of topics include "Project Financial Planning Simplified" and "Overcoming Challenges in User Acceptance Testing Using a Single Data-Source Software." In addition to Dorenbos, who is a former long snapper with the New Orleans Saints, generational-change expert Cam Marston and strategic-planning specialist Abigail Posner will conduct keynote presentations.

Monday, July 2, 2018

The PMI Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge


Chad Greenslade is an experienced IT professional and project manager who served as vice president with the Dallas, TX-based ATM manufacturer Cardtronics from 2015 to 2018. To augment and inform his professional activities, Chad Greenslade holds active membership in the Dallas chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Currently serving a membership base of nearly 3 million professionals, PMI has been spearheading a range of global advocacy, education, and research initiatives since 1969. The organization’s flagship publication, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), entered its sixth edition in 2017.

The PMBOK Guide is widely regarded as a fundamental resource for effective project management using agile practices. Written by project managers for project managers, every section in this book undergoes extensive peer review prior to publication. Its various editions reflect changes in project management best practices over the years, and the PMI must update Part 2 of the PMBOK Guide every four to five years in order to ensure unbroken accreditation through the American National Standards Institute.