The BRM Council’s Latest Addition: Meet Chris Lucas!
At BRM Institute, we take special pleasure in celebrating the achievements of our teammates and members, particularly when they have to do with furthering BRM as an art and discipline! Meet Chris Lucas, an IT Director at The Pennsylvania State University and member of the BRM Council Leadership Team. Chris recently presented on the intersection of BRM and higher education alongside Amanda Petersen of West Virginia University at the 2015 Educause Annual Conference, one of the world’s biggest conferences on higher education. Through this experience, not only did Chris learn that there is growing interest in BRM within IT in higher education, but he was also able to hold meaningful dialogue with professionals who perform BRM activities in various roles but were otherwise unaware of BRM Institute as an organization. We love any opportunity to connect with BRMs, regardless of their profession—thanks for the shoutout, Chris!
Chris’ BRM journey also began relatively recently. About 18 months ago, he was asked to implement BRM within a new sub-unit of Penn State’s IT department, which focuses on redefining how the department provides customer service, support, and service delivery. Through this new role, Chris discovered BRM Institute as a source of support and training, and has since found it incredibly rewarding to build a BRM capability that is seen as a strategic partner to both the university and its stakeholders.
As one of the newest members of the BRM Council Leadership Team, Chris is committed to the ongoing success of the Council and giving back to both BRM Institute and the BRM community as a whole. When asked for some words of wisdom, he remarked that, “Patience and determination are critical for a BRM, especially if you are leading its implementation…being very intentional about how BRM is introduced to both IT and the business is essential.” He also cites the BRMP training as a must-do for any BRM who is just starting out, expressing that, “Going through this training will help you and your team develop a shared understanding and framework, which you can socialize throughout your organization.”
Although Chris’ numerous achievements and responsibilities give us the impression that he’s got a packed schedule, don’t be fooled! Two things he always has time for? Family and hockey. “My wife and I have two young children who we absolutely love and adore,” he says affectionately. Although we can imagine that having two little ones makes seeing his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins live a bit of a challenge, Chris has found a solution that gives him the best of both worlds: a subscription to NHL Gamecenter Live, and plenty of quality time with his family!