Technology Executive & Strategic Advisor

Leading with
vision.
Delivering with
precision.

Director · VP · CIO · Principal Consultant

20+ years building, leading, and transforming enterprise technology across aviation, financial services, and the public sector. From world-first payments innovation at JetBlue to active airport consulting engagements, strategy and execution in equal measure.

View ProgramsGet In Touch
Career Snapshot
Years of Experience20+
Engineers Led100+
Annual Savings Delivered$5M+
Concurrent Programs Managed15+
Agile Delivery Uplift50%
Program Budget Managed$15M+
About

A leader, an innovator,
a technical strategist.

I am Rodney Wilson, a senior technology executive with more than two decades of experience spanning systems development, business analysis, program management, and C-suite-level technology leadership across aviation, financial services, and the public sector.

My most recent chapter was a 13-year tenure at JetBlue Airways, where I served as Senior IT Manager (Director level) over IT Customer and Crewmember Experience for Airports, Inflight and Onboard Technology products. I held named IT lead accountability across the enterprise's most operationally critical systems: BlueEye, eGOR, BlueIDS, IFSA, NGID2, AI/ML Baggage Forecasting and so much more.

I drove innovation that defined the industry: the world-first tap-to-pay boarding experience built in partnership with Apple, and a portfolio of 0-to-1 platforms including biometric identity verification, Real-Time Turn Clock, AO Shared iPad Initiative, and Proactive Carry-on Bag Collection.

Across a concurrent portfolio that at peak included eight simultaneously active business cases, I managed $5M+ in annual program budgets while serving as named IT lead on every initiative. Introducing Agile/Scrum methods produced a 50% improvement in delivery timelines.

Before JetBlue, I led client implementations at Broadridge Financial Services, managed PMO functions at PwC, and built my technical foundation across 8 years at NYC government agencies, rising from Systems Developer to Division Director.

Beyond program delivery, I have served as the integral technical lead for M&A and due diligence across every Business Partner contract at global scale, partnering directly with Legal, and have engaged the startup ecosystem through JetBlue Tech Ventures to identify and evaluate early-stage technology partners informing enterprise strategy.

Throughout my career I have paired Director-level program ownership with hands-on IC work, Visio flowcharting, personal application development, and systems analyst execution, keeping architectural and delivery instincts sharp alongside executive accountability.

🍎
Apple Campus Speaker & iFSA Award
Presented pioneering Mobile Strategy & JetBlue's world-first tap-to-pay boarding program at the Apple Campus. Recognized with the iFSA Apple Recognition Award.
🏆
FTE Award 2015, Best Up in the Air
Future Travel Experience Award winner, global aviation industry recognition for passenger technology innovation at JetBlue.
🤖
AI/ML Innovator, $5M+ Annual Impact
Deployed AI-based baggage forecasting with bag prediction API and Snowflake reporting, $5M+ in annual savings across JetBlue's network.
💳
Payments & Onboard Technology Leader
Oversaw ePOS (Apple Pay, chip, swipe) and IFSA across the JetBlue fleet; led Peacock seatback integration and catering automation with SkyLogistiX.
✈️
Airport Technology Principal Consultant
Principal Consultant, advising airport authorities on ICT design review, ORAT, and operational readiness.
🧠
GenAI & Agentic AI Enterprise Adoption
Led enterprise adoption of GenAI and agentic AI tooling with 95%+ workforce adoption, and personally oversaw the full ML lifecycle (governance, not hands-on engineering) for the LightGBM AI/ML platform.
☁️
Cloud Migration Leader (AWS & Azure)
Led AWS cloud migration for BlueIDS (on-premise to AWS, zero downtime) and Azure migrations for the iFSA Digital Manifest and Blue Eye platforms.
🏛️
Enterprise Architect
Personally architected core enterprise systems including Gate Check-In, BlueIDS, and the enterprise reference domain data model spanning flight, passenger, customer, and reference domains as the single source of truth.
🎨
Product, Engineering & Design Leadership
Ran engineering, product, and product design organizations simultaneously for Blue Eye, BlueIDS, iFSA Digital Manifest, and Gate Check-In, personally owning UX end-to-end including data, navigation flow, and behavioral outcomes.
🏦
Regulatory & Compliance Depth
Direct bank regulatory experience at Broadridge (SOX, OCC/FRB-adjacent controls, bank exam support) and led/participated in IT SOX audits at PwC.
Impact

Results that speak
for themselves.

$5M+
Annual Savings
AI/ML baggage forecasting (LightGBM) with bag prediction API and Snowflake reporting, cutting operational waste at enterprise scale.
100+
Engineers Led
Global SW/HW delivery teams across airports, inflight, and onboard technology, 15+ simultaneous programs at peak.
50%
Delivery Uplift
Productivity and timeline improvement achieved by introducing Agile/Scrum methods across JetBlue's technology organization.
1st
World-First Innovation
World-first tap-to-pay boarding with Apple, presented on the Apple Campus, iFSA Award recognized. Set the global industry standard.
$15M+
Average Annual Budget Managed
Documented portfolios covered: ~$15M averaged across multiple portfolios.
30%
Scan Rejection Reduced
Led passport mobile scanning improvements targeting a drop from 30% to 5% rejection rate; travel doc banner driving 500 PNR clicks/day at 60%.
95%
GenAI Workforce Adoption
Led enterprise adoption of GenAI and agentic AI tooling across the organization, achieving 95%+ workforce adoption.
95%
Budget Accuracy
Owned a $10M+ annual technology portfolio with 95% budget accuracy across 12+ concurrent programs, managing managers and senior program leads.
Programs

Named programs, real
budgets, real outcomes.

A curated selection from 15+ concurrent initiatives managed at JetBlue Airways.

Innovation · Airport
Tap-to-Pay Solutions
World First2012-2015
Led the world's first tap-to-pay boarding experience in partnership with Apple, redefining the passenger journey and establishing JetBlue as the global aviation technology standard-bearer.
Outcome: iFSA Apple Recognition Award · FTE Award 2015 · Presented on Apple Campus
Data & AI
AI/ML Bag Forecasting
$5M+ Annual Savings2024-2025
LightGBM-based baggage forecasting model integrated with eGOR and Aerodata. Pipeline includes timestamp logging, Snowflake raw message history tables, forecast type flagging, and a Tableau reporting layer. Critical for IROP and aircraft swap operational readiness.
Outcome: $5M+ annual operational savings; BRD-stage data enhancements (June 2025) extending traceability across all downstream systems
Inflight
IFSA / ePOS 2024
$1.95MFeb 2024 - Jan 2025
Inflight Service Assistant and onboard point-of-sale platform supporting Apple Pay, chip, and swipe payments. 2024 scope: F1 checklist, Mosaic greeting enhancements, Move A Customer, seatback ordering integration, and real-time payments discovery.
Outcome: All CC reader reliability issues resolved for SOAR; automated flight schedule and crew uploads
Inflight · Crewmember Experience
BlueBucks 2024
$0.82MDec 2023 - Oct 2024
Multi-pillar crewmember incentive platform: Reliability Score Automation, OTP incentives, Mosaic Greeting compensation, Inflight Product Sales Commissions, customer tipping via Tip Haus, and a crew-facing BCSS portal.
Outcome: Improved CM motivation, attraction, retention, and customer service metrics across JetBlue inflight operations
Onboard · Operations
Catering Automation
$11.77M savings / $818K IT2018-2024
Named PM and AIM on JetBlue's multi-year Catering Automation program, replacing manual catering operations with a fully integrated platform. Coordinated 12 IT teams across SAP, Snowflake, BlueEye, IFSA, QA, DevOps. Built a 10-component Azure cloud architecture integrating SkyLogistiX and Kuehne+Nagel.
Outcome: $11.77M 5-year savings case approved; SkyLogistiX MSA executed Dec 2018; Phase I at 80% complete March 2024
Onboard · Entertainment · Loyalty
Peacock & Personalization 2.0
$561K + $650K Pers2023-2024
IT delivery owner across 11 internal workstreams. Thales IFE FlyFi portal routes users to Peacock's landing page; JetBlue IT APIs handle TrueBlue validation, real-time enrollment, and deduplication; Comarch LMS processes accruals.
Outcome: JetBlue seatback transformed into a loyalty commerce platform
Airport · Baggage
Ghost Bag / AirTag Deployment
Active2025
Progressive deployment of active bag tags (Apple AirTag integration) across JetBlue's proprietary station network. Phased rollout starting at Islip, then JFK and all proprietary stations.
Outcome: Full Islip deployment April 14, 2025; active bag tag activation targeting June 15, 2025
Airport · Inflight
Crewmember Gate Check-In
$0.57MDec 2023 - Jul 2024
Software solution built on the BlueEye platform capturing AO and inflight crewmember check-in times. Provides leadership visibility via reporting and drives improved On-Time Performance.
Outcome: Improved check-in timeliness, OTP rate improvement, real-time leadership reporting
Innovation
Biometric Identity (NGID2)
0-to-12018-2022
Led JetBlue's next-generation biometric identity verification program from concept through deployment. Coordinated enterprise architecture, information security, and compliance review across the full biometric passenger journey.
Outcome: Biometric boarding capability deployed; positioned JetBlue as a biometric aviation leader
Airport
Self-Tagging Program (FLL & BOS)
Multi-Station2016-2017
Led self-bag-tag rollout at Fort Lauderdale (FLL), launched successfully with all-green program status. Managed BOS coordination with CUSS providers for bag tag printing enablement.
Outcome: FLL launched on schedule; BOS coordinated with CUSS providers
Airport · Data
Document Verification & Mobile Scanning
Active2025
Led passport mobile scanning improvements targeting a rejection rate reduction from 30% to 5%. Deployed travel document banner advising customers of additional requirements, generating ~500 PNR clicks/day with 60% engagement.
Outcome: 83% projected reduction in scan rejections; improved gate-level travel document compliance
Airport · Customer Experience
Proactive Carry-on Bag Collection
Cross-Functional2024-2025
Cross-functional program to proactively collect carry-on bags before customers reach the gate, reducing A05 delays. IT requirements across mobile push, kiosk, BlueEye gate goals, GIDS/CIDS at-risk indicators, and Brock Smartsuite bag tracking.
Outcome: Fewer gate-check confrontations, faster boarding, reduced A05 departure delays
Innovation · Loyalty · IFC
FlyFi / Amazon TrueBlue Integration
Commercial Partnership2015-2016
IT PM and approver for FlyFi-AMZ-Release, JetBlue's commercial partnership with Amazon enabling TrueBlue points accrual for inflight purchases. Built three TIBCO REST services via the APIX gateway integrated with Comarch LMS.
Outcome: Inflight Wi-Fi monetized as a loyalty commerce channel; projected 900-1,300 transactions/week at launch
Onboard · Connectivity
FlyFi KA Satellite Wi-Fi
Fleet-Wide2013-2016
Led the end-to-end implementation of FlyFi, JetBlue's KA-band satellite inflight Wi-Fi platform powered by Thales. Managed WADL ground installation across LAX, SJU and proprietary stations; oversaw TIBCO middleware, REST API deployment across DEV/INT/QA/STG/PROD.
Outcome: FlyFi deployed fleet-wide, enabling the Amazon/TrueBlue commerce layer and Peacock streaming integration
Innovation · Airport
Real-Time Turn Clock
0-to-12015-2018
Built from scratch: a real-time departure turn status product providing live turn visibility to gate agents and operations staff. Designed to drive On-Time Performance improvements network-wide.
Outcome: Live turn visibility deployed network-wide; OTP improvement tool integrated into JetBlue's airport ops suite
Airport · Infrastructure
BlueIDS Implementation
$3.8M2016-2018
Led original network-wide implementation of BlueIDS (FourWinds Interactive / Poppulo Harmony), JetBlue's enterprise IDS powering 1,000+ customer and crewmember screens. Scope: FIDS, GIDS, BIDS, SPIDS, CM-IDS, JFK Digital Ring.
Outcome: 1,000+ screens operational across JFK, BOS, FLL, EWR, DCA, and all JetBlue stations
Airport · Cloud Migration
BlueIDS Cloud Migration
$499KAug 2023 - Feb 2024
PM and AIM for the BlueIDS cloud migration from FWI on-prem V5.5 to Poppulo Harmony V6.0. Authored executive business case to SVP Jill Eshbaugh and CFO Ursula Hurley. Re-commissioned 1,000+ HP thin clients across all stations.
Outcome: Platform risk eliminated; BlueIDS migrated to supported cloud; JFK Digital Ring continuity maintained
Airport · Mobility
AO Shared iPad Initiative
6,180+ Users2025
Led network-wide deployment of shared iPads for Airport Operations crewmembers, eliminating personal device assignment and enabling a pool-based model across all JetBlue cities. Four-phase rollout from BOS/EWR/PUJ UAT through 6,180+ users at all stations.
Outcome: Shared mobility model deployed across JetBlue network; trial phase launched May 2025
Inflight · Hardware
Inflight iPad & CCR Refresh
$5.46M2020-2022
Led inflight device refresh replacing end-of-life iPad Mini 3s across all five crew bases: JFK (865), BOS (407), FLL (282), MCO (231), LAX (73). Paired with Datecs CCR replacement enabling Bluetooth chip, Apple Pay, and swipe payment via TS5.
Outcome: $1M expected savings from reduced CC reader failure; Apple Pay/chip enabled fleet-wide via TS5
Airport · Accessibility
Wheelchair Data Feed
$329K / $492K savings2016-2018
Named PM on production release. Built JetBlue's real-time Wheelchair SSR data feed, replacing manual coordination with automated IBM MQ (TIBCO) messaging delivering 7-day advance planning data to wheelchair Business Partners across the network.
Outcome: $329K CapEx; $492K 5-year OpEx savings; production deployed June 14, 2018
Airport · Hardware Innovation
Mobile Gate Podium
$138K + expansion2017-2021
Co-developed a fully self-contained, 4G-networked, battery-backed gate podium enabling JetBlue AOs to board flights at shared and OAL gates without manual paper operations. Each unit: Cisco C819 4G LTE, HP Thin Client, Vidtronix printers, Access reader, APC battery backup.
Outcome: 20+ units deployed network-wide; gate leasing cost avoided; $160K projected savings
Experience

A career built on
progressive impact.

May 2012 - Oct 2025
JetBlue Airways
Aviation
Senior IT Manager, Airports, Inflight & Onboard Technology; Customer & Crewmember Experience
  • Led 100+ global SW/HW delivery teams across 15+ simultaneous multi-million-dollar enterprise programs spanning airport ops, inflight crewmember tech, onboard entertainment, baggage, and biometrics.
  • Managed $15M+ in annual program budgets across six simultaneously active business cases, BlueEye, eGOR, IFSA/ePOS, Catering Automation, Peacock, and BlueIDS Cloud Migration.
  • Led the world-first tap-to-pay boarding experience in partnership with Apple, recognized on the Apple Campus and honored with the iFSA Apple Recognition Award and FTE Award 2015.
  • Deployed LightGBM AI/ML baggage forecasting integrated with eGOR and Aerodata; built Snowflake history tables and Tableau reporting, $5M+ in annual operational savings.
  • Co-led BlueBucks 2024, a five-pillar crewmember incentive platform; delivered Peacock seatback integration and Personalization 2.0 via Thales IFE.
  • Introduced Agile/Scrum methods, achieving 50% improvement in delivery timelines and team productivity.
  • Built 0-to-1 innovation portfolio: biometric identity (NGID2), Real-Time Turn Clock, BlueEye platform enhancements, self-tagging at FLL/BOS.
  • Managed vendor relationships with Apple, Amazon, Thales, SkyLogistiX, Sabre, SAP, TCS; maintained PCI, SOX, and InfoSec compliance.
  • Directly managed managers and senior program leads who themselves led teams; owned a $10M+ annual technology portfolio with 95% budget accuracy across 12+ concurrent programs.
  • Led AWS cloud migration for BlueIDS (on-premise data centers to AWS, zero downtime) and Azure migrations for the iFSA Digital Manifest and Blue Eye platforms.
  • Personally architected core enterprise systems, Gate Check-In, BlueIDS, and the enterprise reference domain data model (flight, passenger, customer, reference) as the single source of truth for downstream systems.
  • Ran engineering, product, and product design organizations simultaneously for Blue Eye, BlueIDS, iFSA Digital Manifest, and Gate Check-In; personally owned UX end-to-end across data, navigation flow, and behavioral outcomes.
  • Oversaw the full ML lifecycle for the LightGBM AI/ML platform (coordination and governance, not hands-on engineering) delivering $5M+ verified annual savings; drove enterprise GenAI and agentic AI adoption to 95%+.
  • Owned identity, endpoint, and productivity platform relationships through the 13-year Inflight mobility initiative for 6,180+ associates: Okta (SSO), Microsoft Intune (MDM), and Google Workspace governance.
  • Governed SAP HCM/HR for the iFlight team including SAP-integrated payroll and incentive-eligible pay processing; led Oracle vendor evaluations informing enterprise platform decisions.
  • Governed loyalty program partner technology integration with Peacock, Barclays, Card Cash Mobile, and Amazon; partnered with Revenue Management leadership with direct revenue and conversion-rate accountability.
  • Served as the integral technical lead for M&A and due diligence across every Business Partner (vendor) contract at global, cross-functional scale, partnering directly with Legal.
  • Engaged the startup ecosystem through JetBlue Tech Ventures, identifying and evaluating early-stage technology partners to inform enterprise platform strategy.
  • Maintained hands-on IC practice alongside Director-level ownership, Visio flowcharting, personal application development, and systems analyst work.
iFSA Apple Recognition Award · FTE Award 2015 · Apple Campus Speaker
2008 - May 2012
Broadridge Financial Services
Financial Services
Senior Business Systems Analyst / Client Implementation Lead, Investor Communication Solutions
  • Technical implementation lead for Broadridge's ICS division, managing onboarding for 18+ institutional clients including Prudential, TIAA-CREF, Wells Fargo, MassMutual, Vanguard, LPL.
  • Authored XML/EDI order specifications, data mapping, and end-to-end fulfillment workflow on the ILEX platform and Pageflex variable-data printing system.
  • Led TIAA-CREF new client implementation, multi-document fulfillment architecture across INLINE, POD, WDM, and Pick-and-Pack channels.
  • Built production test data files, billing reconciliation reports, and image count reporting for 30,000+ orders per cycle.
  • Coordinated cross-functional delivery across onshore/offshore development, QA, operations, and client stakeholder teams.
  • Direct bank regulatory experience: SOX compliance, OCC/FRB-adjacent technology controls, and bank examination support for retail, community, and institutional banking clients.
2007 - 2008
PwC
Professional Services (PMO)
Business Process Manager (Sr. Associate), IFS / Technology and Processes / PMO
  • IT-business liaison and PM for multiple concurrent process improvement projects within PwC's Independence Office.
  • Translated business requirements into functional specs across SDLC Define and Discover phases; produced workflow diagrams and GAP analyses.
  • Led iterative process reviews and UAT coordination including use case development, tester identification, and issue tracking.
  • Supported developers in system testing; participated in SIT of new releases and custom modifications.
  • Led and participated in IT SOX audits directly within PwC engagements.
1999 - 2007
NYC Government Agencies
HRA & NYC Health + Hospitals
Systems Developer → Business/Systems Analyst → Project Leader → Division Director
  • Rose from Systems Developer to Division Director across 8 years, leading financial application integration across NYC government agencies.
  • Automated 90% of the department's daily procedures into MS SQL and Access programs, recognized agency-wide.
  • Designed mission-critical applications: Census Tracking, Employee Tracking, Budget and Contract Management; executive reporting via EVAT.
  • Managed and grew the Business Analysis and Systems QA function; established methodology and standards.
  • Implemented Finance.Net initiative; managed Oracle/SQL Server/DB2 environments.
Finance Office Employee of the Year 2003-2004
Expertise

Where strategy meets
execution.

My expertise covers the full arc from systems development and business analysis through enterprise architecture, program governance, and executive leadership.

  • IT Portfolio Strategy, Roadmapping & Governance
  • Enterprise Architecture & Reference Data Modeling
  • Digital Transformation & Enterprise Mobility
  • Airport Operations Technology & ORAT
  • Inflight & Crewmember Technology
  • Onboard Entertainment & IFE Systems
  • AI/ML Governance, GenAI & Agentic AI Adoption
  • Biometrics & Identity Verification
  • Mobile & Payments Innovation (Apple Pay, ePOS)
  • Program Delivery: Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, SDLC
  • Cloud Architecture & Migration (AWS / Azure)
  • Identity, Endpoint & Productivity (Okta, Intune, Google Workspace)
  • Enterprise Applications (SAP HCM/HR, Oracle)
  • Loyalty & Revenue Technology Governance
  • M&A and Technical Due Diligence
  • Regulatory & Compliance (SOX, OCC/FRB, PCI, InfoSec)
  • Product, Engineering & Design Leadership (UX end-to-end)
  • Vendor, Budget & Contract Management
  • Cross-Functional & Global Team Leadership
Tools & Technologies
Agile / ScrumITILJiraSmartsheetMS ProjectVisioLightGBMGenAIAgentic AISnowflakeSQL ServerMySQLOracleDB2SAP HCM/HROktaMicrosoft IntuneGoogle WorkspaceThales IFEAPIs / IntegrationAWSAzureJavaScriptHTML5GitDevOps / SREPCISOXOCC/FRB

For Corporate Leaders

I bring the operating discipline of a large-scale enterprise technology executive, built across 13 years managing 15+ simultaneous programs at one of North America's leading airlines. I know how to build high-performing teams, govern complex multi-million-dollar portfolios, and deliver measurable outcomes from individual contributor to C-suite partner.

For Consulting Clients

Through VA Consulting, I provide airport operators and aviation authorities with hands-on ICT design review, operational readiness advisory, and technology implementation guidance, from drawing review and RFI generation through commissioning and go-live.

Sectors Served

Aviation (airline and airport), Financial Services (Broadridge), Professional Services (PwC PMO), and NYC Government (HRA, NYC Health + Hospitals). The constant has been translating complex business problems into technology outcomes that scale.

Ventures

Building beyond
the role.

Advisory
VA Consulting Group

A boutique airport operational readiness and technology advisory firm serving airport authorities, operators, and program managers navigating complex ICT design and ORAT engagements.

  • ICT design review across architectural, mechanical, fire, electrical, telecom
  • Operational Readiness, Activation and Transfer (ORAT)
Partners

Vendor & partner
ecosystem.

A track record of managing strategic vendor and partner relationships across hardware, payments, engineering, and content, spanning 20+ organizations.

Hardware & Logistics
AppleDatecsCTS MobilityInfinite Peripherals
Payments & POS
eGate SolutionsFiservCyberSourcePlanetPayment
Software Development & Engineering
TCSATMECSMMIRokkanTIBCO
Content & Connectivity
ThalesPeacockSkyLogistixSabreVerizonComply365WSI
Additional Partners
SITAPoppulo Harmony (formerly FourWinds Interactive - FWI)AllianzHotels.comAvis
Aviation & Airport Systems
AeroDataCollins AerospaceAirbusAmadeusG1 Airport AccessibilityGMS (Gate Management Services)
Airport Authorities & Government
CBPAVPortsGOAABCAD
Technology & Cloud
MicrosoftAmazon
Financial & Enterprise Partners
BarclaysOxford
Enterprise Applications
SAP (HCM/HR, Payroll)OracleSnowflakeTIBCO
Identity, Endpoint & Productivity
OktaMicrosoft IntuneGoogle Workspace
Loyalty & Revenue Technology
PeacockBarclaysCard Cash MobileAmazonComarch LMS
Venture & Startup Ecosystem
JetBlue Tech Ventures
Education & Honors

The foundation of
continuous growth.

Bachelor of Technology
New York City College of Technology
Computer Systems Technology, concentrations in Database Administration, Client Server Technology, and Object-Oriented Design. Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
🍎
iFSA Apple Recognition AwardWorld-first tap-to-pay boarding, Apple partnership
🏆
FTE Award 2015, Best Up in the AirFuture Travel Experience, global aviation recognition
🏛️
Finance Office Employee of the YearNYC Government, 2003-2004
🎓
Magna Cum LaudeNYC College of Technology
Contact

Let's build something
great together.

Whether you are hiring for a Director, VP, or CIO-level technology leadership role, or need a seasoned advisor for your airport technology or ICT program, I welcome the conversation.