Steven Hyden

At RNN, I lead the technology strategy and infrastructure operations for a national broadcasting network, managing a $2.5M annual budget and overseeing mission-critical systems across multiple sites. My focus is on delivering operational excellence through smart, scalable, and secure technology solutions that support business continuity and long-term growth. I work closely with the COO and senior leadership to align technology investments with organizational priorities, drive modernization initiatives, and optimize performance across our infrastructure. My role bridges innovation with execution, ensuring that IT enables—not just supports—organizational objectives. I’ve built and led high-performing IT teams, fostering a culture of accountability, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement. Through strong cross-functional collaboration with finance, operations, and vendor partners, I ensure our systems are resilient, cost-efficient, and positioned to scale with evolving needs. Key Achievements: ➥ Modernized core infrastructure by deploying cloud-managed networks and virtualizing servers, centralizing operations and achieving ROI in under 12 months. ➥ Led breach response and remediation, containing a network intrusion and implementing enhanced security protocols with minimal business disruption. ➥ Negotiated ISP contracts, reducing OpEx by over $100K annually while improving bandwidth and network reliability across all locations. ➥ Directed a $750K studio redesign, aligning technical infrastructure with operational and production requirements. ➥ Launched centralized monitoring for revenue-generating TV channels, improving uptime, visibility, and operational control across dual broadcast hubs.

As Director of Technology, I acted as a key strategic advisor to the executive team, driving the alignment of technology infrastructure with enterprise-wide objectives. I provided hands-on leadership in scaling operations across multiple locations, optimizing IT budgets, and implementing cost-effective, future-ready solutions that supported growth, resilience, and operational efficiency. Key Achievements: ➥ Enterprise Systems Integration: Designed and implemented a centralized integration framework connecting Salesforce, NetSuite, Active Networks, Blackbaud NXT, and Brivo. This unified platform streamlined operations across membership, finance, development, and access control—reducing redundancy and improving data accuracy at scale. ➥ IT Budget Optimization: Delivered ~$100K in recurring annual savings by renegotiating telecom contracts, consolidating service providers, and eliminating underutilized services—maximizing ROI and reallocating funds toward strategic initiatives. ➥ CapEx & Vendor Oversight: Led the planning, vendor evaluation, and financial governance for a $1.2M website redesign project. Successfully balanced marketing goals with technical requirements while ensuring adherence to budget and timeline constraints. ➥ Security & Operational Efficiency: Overhauled facility access and security systems across sites, reducing operational risk and contributing to a 15% growth in membership through enhanced safety and user experience. ➥ Legacy System Modernization: Transitioned outdated telephony infrastructure to a cloud-hosted solution, cutting costs by ~$150K annually and achieving payback within 18 months—freeing up capital for further tech investments.

As Associate Director of Technology, I was responsible for leading infrastructure modernization efforts that directly improved organizational resilience, security, and communication across all departments. I partnered with senior leadership to ensure that IT investments aligned with business needs and future growth, while also managing daily operations and staff support to maintain a stable and responsive technology environment. One of my key accomplishments was leading the procurement and organization-wide deployment of a modern, cloud-based phone system—enhancing uptime, streamlining communication workflows, and reducing telephony-related support requests. I also directed the implementation of a building-wide access control platform, modernizing security protocols and enabling centralized facility management. Key Achievements: ➥ Overhauled internal servers and upgraded network infrastructure to ensure stable performance, reduce downtime, and support scalable growth across facilities. ➥ Implemented and maintained early-stage access control and video surveillance systems, creating the foundation for long-term security modernization and compliance. ➥ Delivered responsive daily IT support and proactive training for staff, significantly increasing technology adoption, reducing user error, and lowering support ticket volume. ➥ Collaborated cross-functionally with facilities, operations, and executive teams to develop forward-looking technology roadmaps aligned with organizational expansion and digital transformation objectives. ➥ Developed vendor relationships, managed hardware/software procurement, and ensured cost-effective implementation of infrastructure upgrades within defined budget constraints. ➥ Acted as a trusted technology advisor to leadership, contributing insights that helped shape policies, long-term infrastructure planning, and organization-wide IT strategies.

In the early stages of my career, I played a key role in fortifying the foundational infrastructure of a rapidly expanding nonprofit organization. My responsibilities spanned the deployment and optimization of server systems, network connectivity, and the implementation of early surveillance technologies. I prioritized reliability, performance, and comprehensive user support to ensure seamless operations across all departments. Key Achievements: ➥ Upgraded core networking equipment and internal servers to enhance system stability and future-proof performance. ➥ Rolled out early-stage access control and video surveillance systems, setting the foundation for later modernization efforts. ➥ Delivered frontline technical support and training across departments, improving staff efficiency and reducing IT support volume.

During my tenure as Systems Administrator at Asphalt Green, I played a critical role in designing and deploying key enterprise IT platforms that streamlined user authentication, communication, and mobile connectivity across the organization. These systems served as the foundation for secure, efficient, and scalable business operations. Key Achievements: ➥ Active Directory (AD): Implemented to centralize user authentication and access control, enabling seamless user management, policy enforcement, and security standardization across multiple locations. AD provided a structured approach to managing user accounts, permissions, and group policies, ensuring consistent IT governance and reducing administrative overhead. ➥ Exchange Mail Server: Deployed to facilitate enterprise-grade email communication, providing employees with secure, synchronized, and highly available email services. Exchange Server improved internal and external collaboration with features such as shared calendars, distribution lists, and email retention policies, while also enhancing security with spam filtering, encryption, and compliance tools. ➥ BlackBerry Messaging Server (BES): Integrated to support mobile workforce connectivity, enabling secure and real-time email synchronization for BlackBerry devices. BES ensured encrypted communication between mobile users and the corporate network, maintaining business continuity and secure access to emails, calendars, and contacts on the go.

At Citi Habitats, I supported 15 office locations across New York City, providing hands-on IT support in a high-volume, fast-paced real estate environment. This role gave me early exposure to multi-site systems, end-user troubleshooting, and hardware standardization, all while helping the company prepare for an eventual acquisition. Key Achievements: ➥ Provided technical support to agents and staff across 15 branches, resolving system and connectivity issues to ensure seamless day-to-day operations. ➥ Led a company-wide hardware standardization initiative, migrating all locations from terminal PCs to full desktop environments, improving performance and IT consistency ahead of the company’s acquisition by The Corcoran Group. ➥ Collaborated with IT leadership to prepare infrastructure for organizational transition, reducing disruptions and increasing long-term reliability.