In Focus: Christopher Annable

In_Focus_Christopher_Annable

Name: Chris Annable

Job title: Solutions Architect

Department: Enterprise Architecture (IT)

How long have you been at Mohawk: 17 years (I started as a co-op student)

Tell us what you do at the College?

I’m part of the Enterprise Architecture (EA) team in IT. Our mission is to shape information system investments and planning to ensure the College has a modern and sustainable technology operating environment. We focus on enhancing business capabilities. Effective communication is critical for effective EA to create common understandings between internal and external stakeholders.

I’m responsible for the technical design of our information systems, trying to ensure they are robust, sustainable, flexible, scalable and secure. We have a wide, complex landscape of interconnected systems; my job is to make those systems work together in a coherent way. I’m involved in a variety of projects like the Banner Business Transformation (BBT) project, as well as other IT initiatives. You may also find me in other groups like the Corporate Services EDI committee.

What is the one thing that makes you want to come to work each day?

Every day is something new - new challenges, new opportunities. In my role, I’m privileged to work with fantastic people, see the work we do as a piece of a bigger puzzle, and get to see the results of that work. The College regularly gives me opportunities where I feel we’re making a difference, and I get to give back to my community.

What is something your colleagues may not know about you?

I was very close to pursuing a career in architecture (the one that involves designing buildings, not IT systems)! When I was in high school, they still taught board drawing, and I became enamored with it. I make a lot of diagrams these days - the content is a bit different though.