Sunday, February 20, 2011

Northern New Jersey Chapter of ARMA – A Conversation with Mr. Mullan

When I received a phone call from Tony regarding being the first person he wanted to “interview” for a new column that will be published in ARMAzing, the chapter’s wonderful newsletter, I was so honored and accepted immediately …

1. When did you got started and why?

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away … just kidding, though my memory is not as good as it once was I do remember when I got started and why … A gentleman named Peter Oliva came to our organization back in the 90’s … 1991 to be exact, to introduce records management to my company. I had no idea what that was nor what part I would play in his visit. But I do remember we received a memo from upper management (therefore knowing they took it seriously therefore we would have to do the same) and “telling” us that we would have to meet with him and answer all of his questions regarding our “files”! I remember when he finally came to my department to meet with me thinking I had no interest in what he was asking about my files nor what he said regarding them. I answered his “boring” questions about how often did I refer to them, how vital were they, blah, blah, blah! I also remember that I was so happy when he finally left. Little did I know how both MY professional and personal life would change from that moment on and how our lives would be intertwined forever! To make a long story short, the person (a close, personal friend of the CEO) they assigned as “records manager”, to no one’s surprise, he failed miserably, you would see him sitting at the desk with his feet up, smoking a cigar, as boxes piled up, with no rhyme or reason to their location. Peter could see that the program would fail before it was given a chance to succeed as long as he was left in charge. Therefore he went to upper management, without my knowledge, and had asked them to assign me the additional job responsibilities. He based his decision on the relationship we had formed during his time with us. I can only assume he saw something in me that I thank God for every, single day, that I would show the same love and passion for records management that I showed for life and my present job responsibilities. My manager called me in to tell me that he wanted me to take on the records management position along with my many other job responsibilities, I balked at first, saying I did not want to be a “file clerk”, until he also mentioned that it would come with a $2,000 increase … A Star was Born! Before you knew it, a “legit” record center was built by a company called SpaceSaver in the basement under our atrium in Murray Hill, NJ (the old Allstate building across the street from Lucent), I took home study courses in records management, I joined ARMA International and NNJ ARMA almost immediately, and of course attended my first ARMA Conference in Detroit, and my records career just took off from there … though my career is in office services management it has always included records in one shape or form, whether being records manager for K-Line America until 1995, Legal Records Manager for one of the most prestigious law firms in NY, eventually working a temp assignment backfill conversion / database project for Metro North Railroad leading up to my position as Corporate Records Manager for Wakefern Food Corporate (Shoprite), up to today … involved in the records program for a NJ insurance company. I never realized how important records management would be to me in my lifetime, the people, the places, the opportunities it had given me in my professional life, I truly feel I would not be where I am today if not for my involvement in records management, and I thank Peter (who passed away a few years ago) and Mary Lou Oliva for that each and every day.

2. What contributions were made by the chapter and by you personally?

Contributions by the chapter … when I had joined the NNJ Chapter of ARMA they were doing quite well without me … the chapter had accomplished so much since their creation (as so eloquently explained and shared with all attendees at the 50th NNJ ARMA Anniversary meeting by Mr. Abate) But during my membership years quite a bit took place as well, 1992 Electronic Imaging, 1993 Imaging Getting Your Attention, I was lucky enough to be a member during the tenure of some marvelous and exceptional people, people whom I admired and respected in the industry and wanted to emulate as a professional, folks such as Joan Gallagher, Michael F. Zampella, William F. Lynch III, Diane M. Gunia, Scott Bowker, CRM, H. Curt Vogt, Cynthia M. Sheward, and last but not least Fred A. Pulzello. I am sure you all recognize these individuals because they were the heart and soul of the association for many years. As most of you know, Mike Zampella was the chapter’s first Webmaster and IT Technologist, and of course, if you attended the ARMA conferences over the years, the wonderful “Pin-Man”! Then there is Scott Bowker, who is a big part of the renaissance of the ARMANNJ Library. My own personal contribution … I have always believed that you only get out of an association (or anything in life) what you put in it … therefore I immediately joined the board of directors the moment I was allowed to run for a position. My first position was as a director at large, which lead to my being treasurer (when general ledgers were used, there was no software such as Quicken available then) for two years, but sad to say due to career changes I was never able to try run for other positions. Although I also found the time to get involved in and serve as IAC (Industry Action Committee) Chairman for the Transportation Industry for a couple of years, which I think today is called ISG (Industry Service Groups) … as you can see any chance I had to get involved, I did, and I highly recommend that you do the same, remember, you only get out of something what YOU put in … volunteer and serve on your national and local boards, as well as any committees that are formed, continue to help your association and chapter grow and prosper to help others the way it has helped me and you.

3. What can you describe in terms of your development and growth as a member of the chapter?

My membership in both ARMA International and the NNJ ARMA chapter were quite beneficial to me in my professional life … as I stated above it lead to numerous job opportunities that I never would have had the opportunity to interview for let alone do … just take a look at my LINKEDIN profile … it is amazing what I was able to accomplish in my professional life without a college education … I do have one regret and that was that I did not take the time to sit for the CRM exam, because it would have made even a bigger difference for RM opportunities that had come up but required certification during my early years. As you can see by my profile on LINKEDIN, I learned my lesson and did not let that happen to me during my time in other professional fields such as office, mail management or operations and have grabbed any chance to certify if and when the opportunity arose. Something else I am quite proud of is the fact that I was awarded the honor of being chosen as NNJ Chapter Member of the Year in 1996, which was quite an honor, not because of me being recognized personally but the fact that I was now included in a list of outstanding professionals whom I had admired and respected for years. it’s all about getting involved not for the recognition which is always nice but for the personal satisfaction of knowing that you are helping others along the way.

4. How do you see ARMANNJ today?

AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY … I know what role the ARMANNJ chapter has played in my career and my life, and even more importantly my professional development and growth into who I am today, therefore I would highly recommend to anyone starting out or already involved in the field of records management today that they most certainly should ensure that ARMANNJ plays an important and beneficial role in their careers as well, and with a little time and effort on their part the benefits and value it will bring is tenfold.

5. In what direction do you see ARMANNJ going?

FORWARD … having attended meetings and seen firsthand the people involved in the chapter today, the exceptional and professional people who make up the board today, with their leadership and guidance, one can only be impressed, knowing that the chapter is in great hands and will continue to provide what it always has to those whose thirst for knowledge in the RIM field, while looking for guidance and resources to help them along the way … To quote the chapter’s mission statement … “ARMA Northern New Jersey (ARMA NNJ) supports the "Vision and Mission" of ARMA International while ensuring its local members are provided with training and education that meets current day industry requirements. From its inception, ARMA NNJ has established broad goals that enable the chapter to remain firmly rooted in its values while adapting to the future outlook of information and technology.”

6. What benefits do you see ARMANNJ members receiving by participating with the Chapter?

Your question says it all, benefits, members, participating … they all go hand in hand … give and you shall receive, the more a member participates the great the value and benefits they receive. Also, as most folks who know me, know that I am quite introverted, shy, and it takes a lot to get me to open up (Laughing) Just joking, those who know me know that I am a true believer in the wonderful world of networking. Through the chapter resources it helps you to create an opportunity which can significantly improve the overall quality of information management. Membership and participation in the ARMANNJ chapter brings with it benefits that are invaluable, simply put, it enables members, vendors, organizations and others, who maybe are unable to develop their own procedures, to become knowledgeable while making use of industry experience and knowledge areas in which they want to operate while also giving access to well developed and verified industry resources that support current day requirements and meet challenges. Where else can you not only interact with your fellow business associates while learning about the most relevant and topical issues and concerns in RIM today, such as standards and best practices, legal and regulatory issues, electronic discovery and E-Discovery, and information security. Access to web seminars, understanding and learning RIM basics, receiving an exceptional industry publication such as Information Management, and of course the amazing chapter newsletter ARMAzing, with access to the world with links to ARMA International as well as external resources. Not to mention scholarship, access to the one of the most complete chapter libraries, and last but not least attending excellent meeting presentations. Need I say more …

7. What would you continue, stop or start doing to making ARMANNJ relevant to today’s technology environment?

Though I already consider ARMANNJ relevant to today’s technology environment, I would continue to participate, give your time and effort to the chapter growth and development, if not for yourself, then for those to come … I would stop at nothing to get the word out about how important it is today to join and be part of this very valuable and important local chapter, and start reaping the benefits and value that comes along with it … ARMANNJ has always been first and foremost whenever it came to the introduction and advancement of technology in the RIM field, and has always presented expert speakers in the field of Records and Information Technology, Digital Technology and Communication and most certainly continue to do so …

8. What would you like to see ARMANNJ achieve in 2011?

Recognition! To continue to be recognized for how important and valuable it is for everyone involved in the records management industry … I have always believed why try and do it alone when there are so many others, just like yourself, who fight the same battles and struggles in our industry, why do it alone? Increased membership, by continuing to do what you have done and continue to do well, but to also think out of the box and show others the value and benefits they can obtain by becoming a member and participating in the growth and development of the chapter, never