Erik Martinez

Erik Martinez has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries and roles. Erik currently holds the position of VP and Director of Cloud Operations at Umpqua Bank, where they lead and supports the Cloud Enablement, Cloud Operations, and Systems Engineering teams. Erik is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing public and private cloud infrastructure and services, particularly Microsoft Azure. Erik also forecasts public cloud spending and optimizes overall Azure costs for the bank.

Prior to Umpqua Bank, Erik worked as a Cloud Operations Director at the same company, where they led and supported diverse teams and worked closely with development and engineering teams to create roadmaps for applications and ensure effective integration among information systems and hybrid cloud infrastructure. Erik also developed an Azure cloud strategy and led cultural change for Azure cloud adoption.

Erik's previous experience includes working as a Cloud Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Western Governors University, where they served as the industry cloud expert for an agile team focused on designing the capstone course for the Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing program. Erik also worked as the Manager of IT Services at 24hourtek, Inc, where they led a remote team of technical consultants and implemented technology solutions/services for SMBs and startups.

Additionally, Erik held the position of Manager of Infrastructure Services at Washington State University Vancouver, where they oversaw the implementation and maintenance of wired and wireless networks, data centers, servers, and systems. Erik also managed a team of technicians and administrators to provide technology support to students, faculty, and staff.

Before that, Erik worked as the IT Team Lead for North America - West Region at Sapa (now Norsk Hydro), where they supported the IT needs for the west coast region. Erik led a team of technical experts and participated in various large-scale, global projects, including application and database migration to MS Azure and Office 365 deployment.

Erik's career started at the State of Oregon, where they held multiple technical roles within the Enterprise Technology Services Division. Erik also served as the Program Coordinator for Benton County Drug Treatment Courts, managing a coordinated community program and overseeing budgets and staff.

Overall, Erik Martinez has a strong background in cloud operations, IT management, and infrastructure services, with experience in leading and supporting teams, driving cultural change, and implementing technology solutions.

Erik Martinez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Oregon State University, which was obtained from 2001 to 2006. Erik then pursued further education, earning a Graduate Certificate in Engineering and Technology Management with a specialization in Project Management from Washington State University in 2015-2016. Following that, Erik attained a Master's Degree in Information Technology Management with a specialization in Cyber Security from Colorado State University Global between 2016 and 2020. Recently, in 2020-2021, they completed their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Corban University. In terms of certifications, Erik has obtained several Microsoft certifications related to Azure, including Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator Associate, and Azure Fundamentals. Additionally, they hold an ITIL Foundation Certification in IT Service Management. Erik has also pursued certifications in fitness training, specifically as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) and as a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM-CES).