Biography
I have been involved in technology, software development, consulting and coaching for nearly two decades. In that time I have worked with Agile and Agile related methods for over eight years. I enjoy the improvement in results, team morale, and the benefits to people and business that come about from using Agile and Scrum. I am also, very experienced with using Agile at scale. My largest Agile initiative involved over 500 people and a budget of $1 billion.
Chronologically I started my career in the US with Accenture a large global consulting firm. There I consulted with many Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies in the areas of custom software and architecture. I led multiple programs and had early experience with iterative methods starting with RUP (and AUP) which was a transition from waterfall toward Agile. I also worked with XP practices on the programming level and participated in communities of practice at Accenture. After leaving Accenture I joined a small custom software consulting firm, and helped it grow and ultimately be acquired by CoreLogic. While working for CoreLogic I worked for ~3 years with Scrum and Agile methods, as a ScrumMaster, and Team Member. After leaving CoreLogic I worked for Point B, a mid-sized management consultancy where I founded the Agile Practice. During my roughly two and a half years there I served as a ScrumMaster and an Agile coach and trainer for our customers.
In 2014 I moved to Singapore with my wife and family, there I joined Rally Software as Director of Professional Services in Asia. Working for Rally Software for the past year I have coached many Scrum teams, spoken on Agile topics at several industry conferences and events, and promoted Scrum, Agile and Agile scaling methods. I have become certified as a SAFe Agilist and SPC4 in support of furthering my knowledge of scaling Agile. I have taught along side two CSTs. I have also worked across Greater China, and ASEAN, and Australia to promote Scrum and Agile methods.
Work experience
Auspicious Agile, Founder / Creator
August 2015 - Present, Singapore, Singapore
I am the creator of Auspicious Agile (www.auspiciousagile.com). Auspicious Agile is about helping people to succeed with Agile. We cover methods, leadership, business, personal & scaling Agile. Enjoy & Stay Agile!
I also work as an independent enterprise Agile and Scrum coach in Singapore and the Asia region. I use my blogs, articles, training courses and other resources from Auspicious Agile to help the teams and companies that I work with to succeed using Agile and Scrum.
https://twitter.com/AuspiciousAgile
https://www.facebook.com/AuspiciousAgile/
Rally Software, Services Director - Asia
January 2014 - August 2015, Singapore, Singapore
As Services Director for Rally Software in Asia I deliver Agile Coaching for Scrum teams and Agile teams throughout Asia. I also do public speaking engagements at Scrum / Agile conferences (Agile Singapore, Agile Tour Bangkok, and attended Shanghai Regional Scrum Gathering) and other industry events speaking about Agile and Scrum. I blog about Agile topics, including Scaling Agile and Scrum only blog AuspiciousAgile.com. I am responsible for partnering with local Agile coaches and ScrumMasters to support Agile and Scrum delivery teams across the Asia region. I also co-teach with experienced Agile trainers and coaches (including CSTs) from Rally software and partners.
Conference speaker and thought leader in Agile Software development and Agile Project Management Practices in Asia - (links below)
http://www.rallydev.com/events/transform-your-organization-through-agile-singapore
http://youtu.be/3I3r22X2YC0
http://fst.net.au/Agenda.aspx?con=103
http://www.auspiciousagile.com
http://agilesg2014.sched.org/speaker/john_okoro.1stmfi1o#.VLn2NmSUchk
https://www.facebook.com/agiletourbkk
Expert Blogger on Agile methods in Sinagpore and Asia (Auspicious Agile Singapore) -
http://theportal.sg/SGPortal/Insights/Blog/Portal/Community/blogs.aspx?hkey=fa78dc93-e5ac-4831-90f3-1b1289afefeb
Point B, Inc., Agile Service Offering Leader
September 2011 - January 2014, Seattle , WA, US
Founded and led Agile Services Practice within Point B. Played ScrumMaster role for very large customer initiative with over 500+ team members and a $1 billion budget. I was ScrumMaster for two teams. In this scaled Agile environment we used Scrum of Scrums and other techniques to align across this very large engagement.
I also consulted with and coached many of our customers in multiple industries on Agile and Scrum. Industries included entertainment, Financial Services, Retail and High Tech. I served as coach and ScrumMaster. I also started public speaking engagements on Agile and Scrum methods.
CoreLogic, Java Services Practice Leader / Sr Consultant
January 2004 - September 2011, Irvine, CA, US
Served as ScrumMaster / Agile Team Leader in transitioning team to Agile methods. Also was team member on multiple Scrum Teams doing custom software development.