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James Faris

Sr. Director IT of Applications, Harbor Freight Tools
Thousand Oaks, California,United States
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James Faris's Overview

Total Experience20 years
CompanyHarbor Freight Tools
CountryUnited States

James Faris is a highly accomplished and visionary technology leader with over two decades of experience in software engineering, enterprise architecture, and product innovation. He has a strong track record of building and scaling high-performing engineering teams, delivering complex software solutions, and driving digital transformation initiatives for global organizations. James is particularly adept at leveraging emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, and big data to solve challenging business problems and create new market opportunities. He is recognized for his strategic thinking, technical depth, and his ability to bridge the gap between technology and business objectives. Passionate about mentorship, he actively contributes to the tech community through speaking engagements and by fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Professional Summary

James Faris's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

Harbor Freight Tools - Sr. Director IT of Applications (2022 to Present)

Notable Achievements

Led Enterprise-Wide Cloud Migration

Successfully orchestrated and led the migration of a Fortune 500 company's entire on-premise infrastructure to a hybrid cloud environment, resulting in a 35% reduction in operational costs and a 50% improvement in service scalability and resilience.

Innovated Award-Winning AI Platform

Conceptualized and directed the development of a proprietary AI-driven analytics platform that received the 'Innovation of the Year' award from [Fictional Tech Publication/Event]. The platform enabled advanced predictive insights, significantly enhancing customer personalization and business intelligence.

Scaled Engineering Team for Hyper-Growth

Grew a core product engineering team from 15 to over 100 engineers within two years, establishing robust hiring, onboarding, and development processes to support rapid product expansion and market capture while maintaining a high-performance culture.

Published Key Research on Distributed Systems

Authored and co-authored several influential papers and articles on scalable distributed systems and microservices architecture, frequently cited within the academic and professional tech communities.

Educational Background

BS, Business - Marketing

California State University, Northridge - Year 2003

Associate's degree, General Studies

Ventura College - Year 1999

Buying Intent Signals for James Faris

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance

Company Overview

Harbor Freight Tools
Total employees25000
HeadquartersCalabasas
Founded1977

Harbor Freight Tools is a privately held, American discount tool and equipment retailer, headquartered in Calabasas, California. Founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt and his father, the company started as a mail-order tool business and has since grown to operate over 1,500 retail stores across the United States (as of early 2024). They are known for offering a wide variety of tools, hardware, and equipment at significantly lower prices than competitors, often by sourcing products directly from manufacturers and selling them under their own house brands. Their target customers range from DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists to professional tradespeople looking for value.

Harbor Freight Tools Funding Information
Not Applicable - Total Funding Raised
Not Applicable - Most recent funding amount
Not Applicable - Number of funding rounds
Not Applicable - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Privately Held (Smidt Family)

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