JOEL J. GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ
Caguas
Summary
Passionate technology advocate with a deep commitment to research in digital transformation. Co-Founder of Buoyant Research leveraging an entrepreneurial spirit to drive impactful projects integrating artificial intelligence and automation. Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation Director at Document Control Systems Inc., skilled in designing and implementing robust digital solutions and managing complex projects. Seasoned Director with expertise in public safety, overseeing federal funds projects and enhancing surveillance technologies to protect communities. Thrives on staying ahead of emerging trends and fostering a culture of continuous improvement where safety and innovation intersect.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation Director
Document Control Systems Inc.
Guaynabo
06.2023 - Current
- Development of digital products.
- Development of a new digital division.
- Software Architecture Design.
- Research and development of new digital trends (Artificial intelligence, automation, cryptography, virtual reality).
- Creation of commercial proposals.
- Project documentation.
- Project Analysis.
- Project management.
- Cybersecurity projects.
- Analysis and product manager for Quadient Software lines.
- Software demos and training
- Programming, Testing, and documentation of computer systems.
- Compilation of requirements and interview with clients or users.
- Communication with local and international programmers.
- Interview new employees.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to set long-term objectives for the company.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to identify trends in product performance or customer service issues.
- Digitization and software projects.
Director
Department of Integrated Security Services and Virtual Technology
04.2023 - Current
- Responsible for the direction of the Department, both administrative and operational levels
- Staff supervision (25 employees and 4 supervisors)
- Department budget management
- Planning, design, and deployment of security projects with municipal, state, and federal funds
- In charge of assigning tasks to employees to meet the goals and objectives of the Department
- Involved in initiatives such as the modification and creation of municipal ordinances in the process of establishing a more defined legal framework for the Department and positions
- Responsible for implementing technological tools, to automate processes and achieve efficiencies in the Department
- In charge of the digitalization of all the documentation of the Department
Assistant Director
Department of Integrated Security Services and Virtual Technology
09.2021 - 04.2023
- Work with the Director to coordinate and supervise daily operations
- Supervise staff
- Cooperate with municipal, state, and federal authorities in their investigative processes, and provide evidence through subpoenas
- Participate as a witness if required by the Court
- Responsible for developing plans and goals for the Department
- Assist in the direction of the organization and align its projects with the public safety strategies, and policies of the Municipality of Carolina
- Prepare technical requirements, revise, and participate in the request for proposal process regarding federal programs like Assistant Fire Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response (SAFER), State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LEPTA), and State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
- Among the projects where I provide technical specifications and supported with federal LEPTA funds are the acquisition of 3 autonomous Surveillance Trailers Systems with sensors, and security cameras to protect Critical Infrastructure within our jurisdiction, Computer Aided Dispatch, and a Training Simulator for the Municipal Police, and a Data Sharing and Information System to integrate communications with state and federal agencies
- Direction and management of projects related to the security cameras in the municipality of Carolina
- Recent projects include the integration of the cameras of the Museo del Niño to the Operations Center, and the investment of over $180k in federal funds for improvements in the Camera System Infrastructure
Federal Funds Technology Officer & Project Manager
Puerto Rico Office for Public Safety & Security
04.2017 - 09.2021
- Provide technical advice, direction, and assistance regarding technology projects in the administration of federal funds such as the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) and the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
- Supervise the management of the subrecipients and hold follow-up meetings
- Manage the Election Security project as part of the DHS efforts to guarantee this vital role of the vote in society as the cornerstone of democracy
- The focus of this project is cybersecurity, therefore, a plan for its implementation was established and is based on the Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, and Exercise (POETE) concept from the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)
- Manage the Cybersecurity project align with the Homeland Security Grant Program NOFO
- Prepare technical requirements, revise, and participate in the request for proposal process regarding federal programs
- In charge of the creation and workflow design of a new online system that will allow managing all the requests from every DHS subrecipients in Puerto Rico
- The main purpose of this implementation is to support daily operations of the office, facilitate the analysis and approval, streamlining the flow of federal funds for the interest of the subrecipients
- Prepare quarterly SLIGP reports to NTIA that include all the coordination, programmatic, and financial activities related to the First Responder Network Authority
- Establish strategic plans to identify potential users in the Public Safety Community in order to educate them on the benefits of joining an exclusive network for first responders
- Provide advice aligned with the EMPG Funding Guidelines to implement important changes and renovation at the Emergency Operation Center of the Puerto Rico Emergency Management to improve the operational coordination and the situational assessment
- Some of the recommendations included better situational awareness creating a cutting-edge system to visualize the data of the electronic systems that manage emergencies such as the WebEOC
- Contribution in the design of a dashboard for the information provided to the governor and the public in general about the situational awareness of natural disasters like hurricanes
Broadband Program Manager
Puerto Rico Office for Public Safety & Security
06.2016 - 03.2017
- Budget management and coordination of educational activities aimed at first responders
- Attending conferences in the USA and obtaining input of new technologies, to improve data sharing policies, stakeholder's engagement, public safety apps, databases, and technology transition to Radio Frequency to LTE FirstNet
- Prepare education and outreach material to be distributed electronically to first responders
- Identify ongoing coverage gaps and data collection activities as requested by FirstNet Authority
- Safeguard state compliance with DHS funds and the Federal Government performing the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) from FEMA, that collect the impacts of every mayor disaster in Puerto Rico, and the Stakeholders Preparedness Review, to identify the gaps and areas to be improved and resilient
- Conduct workshops, training and the creation of technological tools, such as forms, and online registration in the management and completion of THIRA island wide
- Recognized in the United States by FEMA Headquarters for the use of innovative methods when collecting and performing THIRA analysis
Social Media & Website Manager
Economic Intelligence, Economist Gustavo Velez
05.2016 - 06.2016
- Promote the marketing of economic intelligence products in social networks
- Perform demographic analysis and plans to impact the type of public that has the potential to request this type of service
- Create infographics with tips on economic aspects
- Infographics creation for marketing
Education
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico - Criminal Justice in Criminal Investigations
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Ponce, PR12.2011
Skills
- Executive Management
- Technical Research Analysis
- Policies & Procedures Development
- Technology Integration
- Program Management
- Project Management
- Government Procurement
- Problem Solving
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Typing
- IT Knowledge
- Programming Languages
- Workflow Design
- No Code Development
Certification
- Introduction to Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations, Louisiana State University, 2023
- ArcGIS Esri, Geographic Mapping Technologies, Corp, 2019
References
- José J. Díaz Pérez, Director, Federal Affairs Office, Department of Public Safety, (787) 667-7949
- Gustavo Velez, Founder of Inteligencia Económica, Inc., gvelez@economiapr.com
Continuingeducation
- Certified Homeland Protection Associate IV (CHPA), 2019
- Certified Infrastructure Protection Program, 2018
Languages
Spanish
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Websites
Timeline
Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation Director
Document Control Systems Inc.
06.2023 - Current
Director
Department of Integrated Security Services and Virtual Technology
04.2023 - Current
Assistant Director
Department of Integrated Security Services and Virtual Technology
09.2021 - 04.2023
Federal Funds Technology Officer & Project Manager
Puerto Rico Office for Public Safety & Security
04.2017 - 09.2021
Broadband Program Manager
Puerto Rico Office for Public Safety & Security
06.2016 - 03.2017
Social Media & Website Manager
Economic Intelligence, Economist Gustavo Velez
05.2016 - 06.2016
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico - Criminal Justice in Criminal Investigations
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
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