Dave Higgins

Background

About Dave Higgins

I have been building, revitalizing, and scaling technology organizations for 25+ years. I started my career with IBM in coding and customer care, advanced to the executive team at Lenovo (PC & Smart Devices), and then joined the executive leadership team at Benchmark Electronics, where I oversee engineering services in North America. Throughout my career, I have managed hundreds of employees in delivering leading-edge technologies—outperforming targets in quality, security, revenue, and user satisfaction. Together with my colleagues and global teams, I developed organizations that remained ahead of the curve as technology evolved, development methodologies shifted, and customers pivoted expectations from large, standalone applications to cloud-based apps, IoT, and AI. My background combines technology leadership (all aspects of software and hardware development) with business operations management—building, directing and merging international engineering groups with accountability for teams, budgets, performance, and P&L contributions. Highlights of my contributions include: • Developed and rapidly scaled a world-class IoT Design Center for Benchmark Electronics, and then transformed the group into a broadly focused engineering services organization. • Delivered 276% year-over-year revenue growth (2019). Influenced 2X growth in bookings (2020) for the Industrial & Semiconductor sector by partnering with sales leaders in quotes, bids, and client communication. • Restructured Lenovo's SW development team into a highly professional and efficient global operation. • Drove innovation across system, devices, and cloud software and peripherals. As the industry changed, reshaped priorities to cloud computing, contextual computing, and artificial intelligence. • Created customer-centric Agile model that translated user insights into future software sprints. • Built powerful organizations and garnered efficiency through M&A transactions, such as Lenovo’s acquisitions of IBM PC and Lenovo's acquisition of NECPC. • Directed all operations of 400-employee business; expanded China Development Lab from 20 to 300+ managers and staff. • Saved millions of dollars annually while improving security, quality, and efficiency. I thrive in start-up, turnaround, and high growth environments. If you do too, or if you're interested in connecting with other executives and peers who are passionate about innovation, efficiency, and continuous performance improvement, I can be reached through LinkedIn or via email at dwh.higgins@gmail.com.