M. Shad Collins | Executive Integrator & Chief Information Officer

Building Outcomes That Last

For more than three decades, Shad Collins has operated at the intersection of business strategy, technology, and process excellence—helping organizations move beyond projects and metrics to achieve outcomes that truly last.

By fifteen, he launched his first company, providing technology solutions to small businesses and contributing to early work in email encryption. That curiosity for how things connect—systems, people, and outcomes—became the foundation of a lifelong career.

From early enterprise deployments at Digital Equipment Corporation and BellSouth to large-scale systems design for global companies like Procter & Gamble, Fidelity, and Whirlpool, Shad developed a reputation for bridging deep technical knowledge with business insight.

As VP of Information Technology (CIO and Officer) at Bojangles’, Shad helped guide the company from a regional chain into a national brand, implementing enterprise-wide Point of Sale (POS) and business intelligence systems that supported more than 18,000 employees and consistently exceeded Tier-1 audit and PCI-DSS standards. He was also an early designer of AI-driven automation solutions that streamlined operations and decision-making across the enterprise. The company’s sustained growth and operational discipline culminated in a successful IPO in 2015.

Shad went on to lead technology strategy for a healthcare technology firm, bringing modern solutions to WakeMed, and later co-founded Digital Alchemy Solutions, a consulting company serving mid-cap clients with integration, compliance, and analytics solutions.

As SVP of Information Technology (Officer) at Frederick Mutual Insurance, Shad led the company’s digital transformation—expanding operations from two to five states, launching new product offerings, and driving revenue growth from $17 million to $27 million. His work integrated technology modernization, process redesign, and cross-functional collaboration to position the 1843-founded insurer for modern competitiveness.

Today, Shad serves as VP of Information Management (CIO) at Meridian Bird Removal, a U.S. nationwide humane wildlife management company serving Fortune 100 clients across retail and municipal services. He focuses on building integrated companies by aligning people, process, and technology into unified solutions that deliver measurable, lasting results.

Shad leads with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to outcomes that serve every stakeholder—employees, customers, and shareholders alike. He believes the best results come when people are aligned around a shared purpose, equipped with clear systems, and empowered to deliver lasting value.