Alumni Snapshot: Randy Biery
Title:
Purchasing Industry Manager
Current Organization:
Working at PepsiCo for four years
Perot Systems Experience:
Perot Systems Group (1987 to 1990) and Perot Systems (1990 to 2003) working in various areas including Procurement and Travel.
What do you like most about your current role?
I enjoy the challenges that come with working with many business units across one company. My current challenge is negotiating software and services contracts for a large implementation of SAP across six different business units, both domestically and internationally.
What experience did you gain from Perot Systems that helped lead you to where you are today?
A great step in my Perot Systems career was working on the UBS account. I lived in London for two years, and gained a lot of valuable experience working abroad. When I returned, I was leading the Travel department when I was asked to do some part-time consulting at Frito-Lay. Over time, this part-time role turned into full-time, and I ended up consulting there for two years. My experience at Perot Systems prepared me for success in my current role.
Who was your role model or mentor during your career at Perot Systems?
I would have to say I had two mentors while at Perot Systems—Vicki and John Ferrari. Vicki was instrumental in helping me gain contracts experience. When they went over to London for UBS, I was asked to join them to work on contracts, cost reduction, procurement, restructuring of deals and the leveraging of US agreements.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I am an alumnus of Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. I was a business major with an emphasis in finance. Our football team has won nine Division-III championships in the last 14 years—I’d say that’s a pretty good record! Go Purple Raiders!
What do you like to do outside of work?
When I’m not working I like to spend time with my family. My daughter Kristin is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma. My youngest, Carolyn, is a sophomore at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas. My wife, Gretchen is busy obtaining her master’s degree in Library Science, and is currently a substitute teacher in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch school district. In June of this year we will have been married 24 years! In addition, I’m an avid golfer, and my family and I like to spend our vacations on cruises, or just exploring new places, wherever they may be.