Brian Baker

Results-driven Release Manager with 20+ years of experience leading complex software deployments, modernizing CI/CD pipelines, and improving production stability across enterprise cloud environments. Proven ability to increase deployment success, reduce operational risk, and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver predictable, high-quality releases. Trusted partner to engineering, QA, security, and operations teams, known for implementing structured release processes, strengthening change controls, and enabling faster delivery without compromising reliability or compliance.

A technology product leader with over 20 years of experience delivering complex enterprise platforms, modernizing cloud ecosystems, and translating technical capabilities into business value.

I most recently servered as Director of SRE and Application Support at OPENLANE, where I was promoted from Release Manager to oversee enterprise release strategy, reliability engineering, and production operations across multiple business units. While there I was able to improve application availability from 98.7% to 99.98%, deployment success increased to 85%, and release automation initiatives expanded deployment frequency twelvefold. 

I have managed deployment ecosystems supporting more than 200 repositories, partnered with architects to modernize infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code, optimized a $750K AWS budget, and championed AI-driven tooling to enhance analytics and operational performance. 

Previously, I owned the end-to-end delivery lifecycle for a national web-based provisioning platform at AT&T, directing multi-environment deployments and delivering over 1,000 enhancements through major initiatives and maintenance releases. 

At Meteorcomm, I led Positive Train Control programs valued between $500K and $8M, established PMO governance processes, and managed a customer portal to improve service delivery and engagement. 

Earlier in my career, I held senior operational leadership roles at Washington Mutual/JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, founded and operated a franchise with full P&L accountability, and built a strong technical foundation through progressive roles at Sears in application development, data warehousing, and business intelligence. 

Known for aligning stakeholders, enabling high-performing Agile teams, and bringing clarity to ambiguity, I consistently drive predictable delivery, operational resilience, and scalable digital outcomes. 

BS in Computer Science, Northern Illinois University